12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Window Installer

The window itself is only half of what you’re buying — the other half is the installation, and that’s entirely about who you hire. A great window installed poorly will leak air and water; a good window installed well will perform for decades. Here are the 12 questions that separate a pro from a risk.

Credentials and protection

1. Are you licensed and insured? Non-negotiable. Insurance protects you if a worker is hurt on your property or something is damaged. Ask to confirm current coverage before work starts.

2. Are you EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certified? Essential for any home built before 1978. Disturbing old paint without proper containment is a health hazard. (We’re certified — see how we handle older homes.)

3. Do you use in-house crews or subcontractors? It’s not automatically bad to use subs, but you want to know who’s accountable and whether the crew is trained and vetted. In-house crews usually mean more consistent quality and one clear point of responsibility.

Installation quality

4. What installation method will you use — insert or full-frame? A good installer explains the difference and recommends based on your frames’ condition, not just what’s fastest. See how installation works.

5. How do you handle flashing and waterproofing? This is the question that reveals expertise. You want to hear about sill pans, flashing tape sequencing, and integration with the water barrier — the details that keep water out of your walls.

6. Do you follow AAMA installation standards? AAMA guidelines are the industry benchmark, and following them is often required to keep the manufacturer warranty valid.

7. What kind of insulation do you use around the frame? The right answer is low-expansion foam — standard foam can bow the frame and cause windows to bind.

Warranty and products

8. What does your warranty cover — and for how long? Get specifics on both the manufacturer’s product warranty and the installer’s workmanship warranty. Labor warranties matter: a product warranty won’t help if the installation leaks.

9. What brands and product lines do you install? You want quality, NFRC-rated, ENERGY STAR products suited to Georgia’s climate, not just the cheapest units.

Pricing and process

10. Can I get a detailed, written, itemized estimate? Vague, single-number quotes hide things. A good estimate breaks out windows, labor, capping, permits, and disposal. Our cost guide explains what should be on it.

11. Do you handle permits? For egress windows or resized openings, permits are required. A pro handles this for you.

12. Can you provide references or local reviews? Real, recent, local references — homeowners in your area — are the best proof. Beware anyone who can’t produce them.

Red flags to watch for

• High-pressure sales tactics or “today only” pricing
• No physical local address
• Large upfront deposits (a modest deposit is normal; paying most up front is not)
• Reluctance to put things in writing
• No labor warranty

The bottom line

The right installer welcomes these questions and answers them clearly. If someone gets cagey — especially about installation details, insurance, or the labor warranty — that’s your answer. Your windows are a long-term investment; hire the team that treats them that way.

Want straight answers to all 12? Request a free estimate — we’ll happily walk you through every one.