Get the Best Window Installation in Brandon, FL!

From Bloomingdale Avenue to U.S. 374. From N Valrico Road to 301, and on every street in between… Having the right windows for your Brandon home is massively important. But, finding the right window installation in Brandon, FL can be frustratingly tricky.

Lots of companies try to offer ‘cheap’ window replacement services. But the problem is that, all too often, you get less than what you paid for. Shoddy workmanship, cut-rate window brands, and sloppy installation can leave homeowners with a serious case of buyer’s remorse.

What are some of the issues with ‘cheap’ window installation that can leave homeowners regretting their purchase? How much of a difference does having high-quality windows with top-tier installation make? Let’s discuss the risks of low-quality window installation in Brandon, FL and how to get the best windows for your home.

The Top Risk Factors of Low-Quality Window Installation in Brandon, FL

What’s so bad about getting cheap window installation in Brandon? Well, there’s a reason the saying “You get what you pay for’ is such an enduring phrase… as is the adage of “Don’t get stuck with a Yugo.” 

There are a few parallels between the story of the Yugo and the promises made by companies offering the cheapest windows: Low quality, frequent breakdowns, and a whole lot of unsatisfied users. As the Curbside Classic article put it: “The Yugo became the default entry level car for people that knew the price of everything but the value of nothing.” Cheap windows are the same: great for people who are price-conscious (at least, at first), but the long-term value quickly slips into negative territory.

Some of the specific risks that cheap windows pose, especially when paired with substandard installation work, include, but are not limited to:

• Stop Work Orders. One of the risks of discount window installation services in Brandon, FL is that it can result in a ‘stop work order’ and even fines. Many of the reasons for a stop work order center around issues with the installer, such as failing to get a permit (any window replacement service will require you to apply for a permit prior to beginning work), safety issues, violations of the Florida Building Code (FBC), or the installed windows not complying with the approved plan. This can leave you hanging with unfinished windows until you can get the order resolved.
• Lack of Impact Resistance. One of the ways some fly-by-night contractors try to cut costs is by not using impact-resistant windows in their work, which can be a cost savings… At least, until a hurricane hits town and the flimsy el cheapo windows shatter. But, by that point, the contractor is long gone and it’s too late to protect your home. Even worse, you may be stuck paying out-of-pocket for another set of windows, since homeowners insurance may not cover replacement for non-impact windows in Florida. Speaking of…
• Higher Insurance Premiums and Coverage Exceptions. Getting homeowners insurance to pay for damage to your home can feel like pulling teeth at the best of times. However, if you have non-impact windows in your home, you might fall under an exception for your insurance that makes it nearly impossible to get them to pay for hurricane damage remediation. If your contractor tried to cut costs by using non-impact windows, that could be a huge problem.
• Low-Quality, Outsourced Installation Work. Another way that some window ‘installers’ try to cut costs is by outsourcing their installation work to third party subcontractors. This is a huge issue because it often leads to subcontractor risks like inconsistent work quality, added safety risks (from under trained workers), and potential insurance liability if there’s an accident during the installation. If an unlicensed, uninsured contractor gets hurt putting in your windows, the money for their treatment will come out of your homeowner’s insurance. That’s because, as noted by the law firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, “if the contractor is not insured, you as the property owner become the general contractor” which makes you responsible for the subcontractor’s medical costs.
• Moisture/Air Intrusion into Your Home. Installation quality is a huge issue for windows and doors. Even if you get top-of-the-line windows, if the installation work is subpar, you might face issues like air and moisture intrusion into your home. This can lead to energy waste that increases your utility bills, mold and pest infestations, and other issues as the windows fail to keep your home sealed against the outdoors.
• Having to Replace Your Windows Too Quickly. Windows aren’t something that you should be needing to replace every year, or even every other year. They should be something that lasts you a lifetime. However, “cheap” windows that have a low cost may be more susceptible to problems that make them require replacement, such as premature breakage or jams that make them inoperable. If you pay 66% as much for new windows, but have to replace them more than twice as often, are you really saving money? No. You’re actually losing money.

These are just a few of the potential problems poor-quality windows with subpar installation can cause. The thing is that these issues can end up costing you far more than you save by going for cheaper windows. 

For example, say that an uninsured subcontractor breaks a bone while working on your windows. According to data cited by Aflac, the “cost of treating a broken bone without insurance may range from $310 to $150,000, depending on several factors.” Any break requiring surgical care is going to cost significantly more than one that doesn’t. At the high end, the amount of money spent on treatment could be enough to redo the windows on your home several times over!

The question is: How can you find a reliable window replacement company that can put in high-quality windows that will last you for a lifetime?

What to Look for in Window Installation in Brandon, FL

When you’re looking for window installation in Brandon, FL, it’s important to know what to look for. To sort the reliable installers from the ones that will waste your time and money, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Selection

Does the installer have a wide selection of windows from different brands, or do they just have one line of window products from a single brand? An installer who isn’t beholden to a single window manufacturer is much more likely to be able to get you a good deal on new windows and provide the best windows to meet your needs, whether that’s energy efficiency, hurricane impact resistance, or anything else you would look for in a high-quality window.

Experience

How long has the installer been in business? One year? Five years? A quarter of a century? While experience alone isn’t a guarantee of quality, it is a strong indicator that a company has a successful business model—one that can survive the test of time and ever-changing markets.

Reviews

In addition to looking for a company that has a long track record, it’s helpful to find an installation company that has a positive reputation with its customers. Look for companies that consistently earn 5-star reviews over a long period of time to help you sort the best in the business from the companies that aren’t worth your time!

Warranty Coverage

Does the window installation company offer you a strong warranty on your window installation, or do they have a warranty that is 50% legalese and 50% exemptions that make claiming warranty coverage effectively impossible? 

Before you sign off on a window installation service contract, check the installer’s warranty terms and conditions carefully. Sometimes, you can learn more about a company by what they refuse to say than you would from what they do say.

Detailed Price Quotes

Another important document to check is the price quote the installer gives you when you ask for window installation in Brandon, FL. A reliable installer should be able to provide you with a detailed price quote that spells out ALL of your costs. This includes things like:

• Materials (i.e., the cost of each window)
• Labor costs
• Tools
• Travel
• Applicable taxes
• Permitting fees
• Inspection

If a company just gives you a vague total without breaking down the math that led to that figure, you might not be getting a reliable estimate from them. Less scrupulous installers try to hide their real install cost by lowballing the quote and then tacking on ‘unexpected’ fees later on once you’re already locked in for new window installation. 

Without a detailed quote beforehand, you don’t have a way of refuting the unexpectedness of the additional costs.

Get the Best Window Installation in Brandon, FL!

Are you looking for reliable window installation in Brandon, FL from a company that has a long history of satisfied customers, decades of experience, a wide selection of custom windows, a strong lifetime warranty, and one of the most accurate and reliable price quotes in the industry?

Karoly Windows & Doors is your go-to source for top-tier installation service. We have the best brands with the best installation for homeowners throughout Brandon!

All of our installers are members of the Karoly team, trained to do things the Karoly Way. We never outsource labor to a third party contractor. That’s why we can back up all of our window installations with our Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee, which covers your installation labor for 25 years and your window materials for 50!

Reach out today to get started on the best window installation in Brandon!