6 Things a Window Contractor Will Do Before Providing a Quote

One of the projects you want to accomplish this year is replacing all of the windows in your home. The most practical solution is to get in touch with a contractor and arrange for a visit to your home. Along with having the right window measurement tools, the contractor will manage several steps before providing you with a detailed quote. Here is what you can expect the contractor to do.

Inspecting the Windows and the Structure of the Home

Before anything else is done, the contractor will want to take a close look at each of the windows. The goal is to get a better idea of how the windows are secured in place, what sort of structural changes may be needed in order to remove and replace each one, and whether the windows are standard sizes or custom ones. All this information allows the contractor to be in a position to talk with you about all the options available, including the idea of investing in the latest in green windows.

Asking The Homeowner a Few Questions

Once the inspection is complete and the window measurement tools are put away, the contractor will want to sit down with the homeowner and ask a few questions. The point is to get a better idea of what the client expects from the window replacement.

As the conversation progresses, the contractor will learn more about what the homeowner likes about the existing windows. Information about what the client doesn’t like will also be part of the conversation. If there are features that the homeowner would like the new windows to possess, that information can also be taken into consideration. By the time this phase is completed, the contractor will be ready to provide the homeowner with a few suggestions.

Making Recommendations

Now that the contractor has an idea of what the client hopes to accomplish, it’s time to make some recommendations. Some of the recommendations will be based on the different window designs or styles that will work with the home. Others will be aimed at making sure the new windows are energy efficient. The choice of materials will also be based on how those green windows impact the environment while also saving energy on heating and cooling costs.

During the conversation, the homeowner may become aware of some possibilities that were not so obvious before. Perhaps one of the suggested styles is one that the client didn’t believe was possible to install. Maybe the homeowner was not aware of how the choice of glass would impact heating and cooling costs. With each recommendation, the homeowner gets a clearer idea of what sort of windows and features are the most attractive.

Answering Questions From the Owner

At this point, the homeowner will have lots of questions. The contractor will be happy to answer them. Some may have to do with planning the project when some of the windows are standard sizes and others are a little off. Maybe the main question will have to do with comparing the merits of materials like wood, metal, and vinyl. Maybe there’s a question or two about how certain features could be incorporated into the style that the owner likes best.

Even as the contractor is providing answers, both parties are getting a clearer vision of what the result of the replacement project will be. By the time the question and answer time is over, the owner is likely to be excited about the prospect of new windows.

Preparing the Written Quote

Armed with everything from the information obtained using the window measurement tools to the responses and questions from the homeowner, the contractor can begin preparing a written quote. This involves creating an outline that addresses each aspect of the project. From the cost of support materials to unit prices on the windows to the labor expense, the contractor will identify every detail that must to into the planning. It’s only after the quote is checked and checked again that it’s handed to the customer.

Going Over the Quote Details

There’s one last task that must take place before the quote process is completed. That’s going over each of the line items with the homeowner. This helps both parties to determine that nothing is overlooked and that everyone is clear about what is included in that quote. It’s only after the customer is satisfied with the detail that the contractor considers the quote to be complete and ready for the client to consider.

Remember that the contractor wants the client to be fully informed and happy with the terms of the pending project. Once the decisions are made and the contractor receives permission to proceed, those new green windows will be in place as quickly as possible.