Most people buy windows once, maybe twice, in all the years they own a house. That makes it hard to judge a salesperson, a crew or a quote, because you have nothing to compare them to. The fix is a short list of good questions. A company that does careful work will be glad you asked them. One that cuts corners tends to get vague.
Below are the questions we would want answered if we were hiring someone to replace the windows in our own homes. They are grouped by when you are likely to ask them: while you are comparing companies, while you are choosing products, and once the job is on the calendar.
While you are comparing companies
Who will actually install my windows?
Some companies sell the job and hand it to whichever subcontractor is free that week. Others use their own crews. Neither model is automatically bad, but you deserve to know which one you are getting and who answers for the work if something goes wrong. Ask whether the person measuring, the person installing and the person handling warranty calls all work for the same company.
Can I see proof of insurance?
Ask for a certificate showing general liability coverage, and ask how the company covers workers who get hurt on the job. If an uninsured crew breaks a sliding door or an installer falls off a ladder at your house, the cost can end up on your side of the fence. A legitimate company can email a certificate the same day. A quote that comes in far below everyone else’s sometimes reflects a business that skipped this expense.
How do you measure, and who is responsible if a window does not fit?
Replacement windows are built to order. An error of a fraction of an inch means a gap that has to be filled with extra trim and caulk, or a window that has to be remade. Find out who takes the measurements and what happens if a unit arrives the wrong size. The answer should be simple: the company fixes it.
Have you worked on houses like mine?
A 1950s cottage in Crestview and a 2005 two-story in Leander are different jobs. Older central Austin homes may have wood frames, plaster walls and openings that have moved out of square over decades of clay soil shrinking and swelling. Newer suburban houses usually have brick or stone veneer around builder-grade aluminum or early vinyl windows. Ask how the crew handles the wall type and window type you have.
While you are choosing products
Which glass package makes sense for each side of my house?
For most homes here, keeping summer sun out matters more than holding winter heat in. West-facing rooms take the hardest hit in the late afternoon. Ask the installer to explain the glass options on your quote in plain terms and why they recommend them for your exposures. If a configuration is ENERGY STAR qualified for our climate zone, they should be able to tell you.
How does each style open, lock and clean?
A double-hung sash that tilts in lets you clean the outside glass from inside the room, which is a real advantage on a second floor. A casement opens fully and seals tightly when cranked shut. A slider is simple and works well in wide openings. Ask to see how each style on your quote operates before you commit, and think about who in the house will be opening them every day.
Will the new windows meet my HOA or historic district rules?
Many subdivisions in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Georgetown have rules on frame color and grid patterns. If your house sits in a City of Austin local historic district, exterior changes like new windows generally need review first; check with the City’s Historic Preservation Office. A good installer will ask about this before you order, not after.
What does the warranty actually cover?
Get the warranty in writing and read it before you sign. Ask whether it covers the glass seal, the frame, the hardware, the screens and the labor, and whether it transfers if you sell the house. At The Window Source of Austin we offer double lifetime warranty options, and coverage depends on the product and the written terms, so ask us to walk you through the version on your quote.
Can I pay over time?
If spreading out the cost would let you do the whole house instead of a few rooms, ask whether financing is available. We offer financing to approved customers; the terms depend on the plan, so ask us for current details.
Questions about the quote itself
Two quotes with similar totals can describe very different jobs. Before you compare prices, make sure you are comparing the same work.
Is every window listed separately?
A good quote names each opening, the style going into it, the size class and the glass package. A single line that says “replace 14 windows” makes it hard to tell what you are paying for, and hard to hold anyone to it later.
What is included around the window?
Ask whether the price covers removing and disposing of the old units, insulating the gap around each frame, exterior sealing, interior trim and exterior capping. If an item is optional, ask what it costs and what happens if you skip it.
What is not included?
Interior painting, rot repair, blinds and alarm sensors often fall outside a window quote. Knowing that in advance keeps the final bill from surprising you.
How long is this price good, and when do I pay?
Find out how long the quote stands and how payment is split between ordering and completion. Be cautious of any offer that expires before you have had a night to think about it.
Once the job is scheduled
What do you need from me before the crew arrives?
Most crews want clear space in front of each window, blinds and curtains down, and the security system disarmed. Ask for a written list so you are not guessing the night before.
What happens if you find rot or damage behind the old window?
Sometimes the wood under an old sill is soft from years of slow leaks. You want to hear how the company handles that: who decides, how it is priced, and whether they stop and show you before continuing.
What happens if it rains?
Spring storms here can roll in fast. Ask how the crew protects open walls if weather changes mid-job, and how they decide whether to reschedule.
Do I need to be home all day?
Usually someone needs to be there at the start to walk through the plan and at the end to check the work. Whether you need to stay in between varies. Find out ahead of time so you can plan your day.
How will you protect my floors and landscaping?
Drop cloths inside, care around beds and shrubs outside, and a daily cleanup should all be standard. Ask anyway.
What gets hauled away?
Old windows, trim scraps and packaging should leave with the crew. Confirm it is included.
Questions for the end of install day
When the crew finishes, the lead installer should walk the house with you. This is the moment to ask how to tilt, remove and replace each sash and screen, how to clean the frames and glass without damaging coatings, and what routine care the windows need. Ask where the weep holes are and why they need to stay clear. Ask who to call, and at what number, if a window does not lock right next month. Write the answers down and keep them with your warranty paperwork.
Answers worth trusting
Notice how each company answers, not just what they say. Clear, specific answers, offered without pressure, are a good sign. So is a salesperson who points out that a window you are worried about is fine and does not need replacing yet. If you hear lots of urgency, a price that is only good today, or reluctance to put anything in writing, keep shopping.
Windows also only do part of the work of keeping a house cool. Leaky ductwork, thin attic insulation and worn door seals all affect comfort and power bills. An honest installer will mention those if they see them.
Ask us anything
Bring this list to your free in-home estimate and we will answer every question on it. Call The Window Source of Austin at (512) 524-9455, book online, or read about financing options first.