Short answer
Ask these nine: is this insert or full-frame, what's the exact product line, what's the SHGC, does the warranty cover labor, who physically installs it, are you licensed and insured here, what happens if you find rot, how long from signing to installation, and is this price good tomorrow? The answers matter more than the total at the bottom of the page.
You're going to sit through some version of a sales presentation. These nine questions cut through it and tell you who you're dealing with.
1. Is this quote insert or full-frame?
Why it matters: These are different jobs at different prices. It's the number one reason two quotes on the same house differ by thousands.
Good answer: A specific method per opening, and a reason. "Inserts on fourteen, full-frame on the four in the back where the sills are soft."
Bad answer: Vagueness, or full-frame on every opening in a house with sound frames.
2. What's the exact product line?
Why it matters: "Premium vinyl" is not a product. Manufacturers make good, better and best lines, and the difference between them is enormous.
Good answer: A manufacturer and a series name you can look up.
Bad answer: A brand with no line, or a house-branded window they can't trace to a manufacturer.
3. What's the SHGC on the glass?
Why it matters: In our climate, solar heat gain coefficient does more for summer comfort than anything else on the spec sheet. It's also a quick competence test.
Good answer: A number, and ideally a different one for sun-facing elevations.
Bad answer: Not knowing what SHGC is. That happens more than you'd expect.
4. Does the warranty cover labor, and for how long?
Why it matters: This is the most misleading thing in the industry. "Lifetime warranty" usually means lifetime on the material. If labor is one year and a seal fails in year six, you're paying someone to install the free part.
Good answer: Lifetime on material and labor, in writing.
Bad answer: A long material warranty and a short labor warranty, presented as one number.
5. Who physically installs it?
Why it matters: Neither employees nor subcontractors are automatically wrong — but it determines who's accountable and whether the warranty follows.
Good answer: A direct answer, plus who to call if something's wrong in three years.
Bad answer: Evasion, or "our certified installation partners" with no further detail.
6. Are you licensed and insured for work in my state?
Why it matters: If an uninsured crew is hurt on your property, that's your problem. If unlicensed work fails, you have limited recourse.
Good answer: A license number and proof of general liability, offered without being pressed.
Bad answer: "We're fully licensed and insured" with no numbers.
7. What happens if you find rot after the old window is out?
Why it matters: This is the most common mid-job change, and how a company handles it tells you how they handle everything.
Good answer: A stated per-unit repair rate up front, photos before proceeding, and your approval required.
Bad answer: "That almost never happens." It happens constantly.
8. How long from signing to installation?
Why it matters: Replacement windows are built to your measurements. There's a real lead time and anyone promising next week is either stocking generic sizes or overpromising.
Good answer: A realistic window, a final-measure appointment, and what happens if the factory is late.
Bad answer: An immediate date, or no date at all.
9. Is this price still good tomorrow?
Why it matters: This is the single most useful question on the list.
Good answer: Yes.
Bad answer: Anything else. A price that evaporates when the salesperson walks out is a closing technique. Manufacturer promotions are real and they run for weeks — not until 9pm tonight.
What our answers are
Since it would be strange to publish this list and dodge it:
- Insert or full-frame: stated per opening, in writing, before you sign. We recommend the cheaper method when it's the right one.
- Product line: named. Andersen, MI, Polaris, Vinyl Max, Windsor, Sunrise, HGI — manufacturer-direct on all of them. We'll also install windows you bought yourself.
- SHGC: on the quote, spec'd by elevation.
- Warranty: lifetime, material and labor.
- Installers: our crews. We're a 4th-generation install company, AAMA Gold Label and Installation Masters certified, Andersen Certified Contractor, EPA Lead-Safe.
- Licensed and insured: TN License #11022, $2 million insured.
- If we find rot: photo, price, your approval, then work.
- Timeline: given at signing, in writing, with the final-measure appointment scheduled.
- Is the price good tomorrow: yes. And next week.
Take the list with you
Print it, screenshot it, whatever — and ask every company you have out, including us.
Book a free estimate and hold us to it.
