Why Do Most Salespeople Sound the Same?

You may not know this, but there are window sales consultants all over the country teaching salespeople the “best” ways to separate you from your money.

home improvement sales tricks

When you invite a home improvement salesperson into your house you may be getting someone who has spent years honing his craft.  He’s worked on various closing strategies, he’s practiced handling your objections, he has a plan to drop the price at a certain point after you’ve said no enough times.  He’s going to call his manager at just the right time to make you think you’ve really warn him down.

Every day people ask me why these companies require both the husband an date wife to be present for the quote or why window salespeople are all so pushy.  One of the reasons is that they all learn from the same sales consultants.

You may think you’re just having someone come over to measure your windows at 6:30pm when you get home from work without understanding exactly what you’re getting yourself into.  Before you know it you might have signed a $20,000 contract for windows that could have cost $8,000 after a 3 or 4 hour sales pitch.  It happens every day, don’t let it happen to you.

Now I should say that I typically really like sales consultants.  I like anyone who takes their work seriously and tries to do better today than he did yesterday.  Unfortunately I think some companies and salespeople spend too much energy on getting the order at any cost rather than providing a great value and that leads to our whole industry getting a bad name.

It’s certainly the case that there are many good people in the home improvement business, but it can sometimes be hard to separate the good from the bad.

Here I’ll show you a handful of videos about these closing strategies.  Notice the people in the audience, sitting there taking in this info.  These are the salespeople that work for many of the largest window companies in the country.  These are the people who could be sitting on your couch tonight for your free window quote.  Or maybe they just left with your deposit last night.

If you have any questions or comments about these videos or any sales tactics feel free to post a comment.  This might become an interesting section on the site!

What is the you deserve it close?

What will they do if you want to think it over?

Why do they want the husband and the wife to be there for the quote?

Have a question or comment, post it below.  You can also find our explanations of other common sales tactics and replacement window reviews here.  Want to get a quote from a reputable company?  Find our list of fantastic window companies here.

Should You Replace All the Windows in Your House at Once?

I was recently talking to a very friendly and capable reporter for a window industry trade magazine (yes that’s a thing) about partial projects.  That’s the term for projects that include some, but not all of the windows in the house.  You can read his article with some pithy quotes from yours truly, but the conversation got me thinking that this is a topic our readers are probably interested in.

It happens pretty frequently that people will want to only replace a handful of windows that have a specific issue and leave the rest for later.  Is this the best strategy?  As with most philosophical questions, the answer is “it depends”.

Replace some of your windows now and some later
Mismatched windows can be a style choice for some. Ha!

Before we get into the meat of this topic I’ll suggest that if you’re considering a partial project because of the cost you may want to make sure you’re talking to the type of company that offers fair and reasonable pricing.

We frequently hear from folks who think they can only afford 5 windows due to an astronomical quote they received from an old fashioned high-pressure company.  Companies like ours will offer much more reasonable prices so the customer who thought they could only afford a handful of windows might be able to afford the whole house.

When should you only replace some of your windows?

Folks typically want to do this when they have an acute problem with some of their windows.  Maybe they have seal failures causing foggy or cloudy glass or windows that don’t operate properly.  Sometimes folks do this because one room or area of the house gets very cold in the winter or hot in the summer.

This can be a great strategy, but you’ll want to consider the risks.

What could go wrong when replacing only some of your windows?

First, you’ll want to understand the costs of your project and how the cost will vary based on the size of the project.

For example, in most of our stores you get the best labor pricing when you order at least 5 windows.  The windows cost what they cost, but the labor costs more on a small project.  The per window price is then the same for projects between 5 and 200 windows.  That means if you replace all of the windows except one and then you decide to do the one remaining window later it’ll cost a little more.

In fact, just today I got a text from one of our field reps who was working with a customer for whom we had just completed a $15,000 project.  That customer wanted to replace two more windows and he was upset that they would cost more.

The answer is that’s just how it works.  Replacing one or two windows just costs more on a per window basis than replacing 20 windows.  I’m never happy to have a customer who is not feeling great, but we need to pay the installers for their work or they won’t stick around.  If we want great quality results we pay for great quality team members and that costs a couple bucks.

If this customer had split up the projects into groups of 5 or more he would have been a happier camper.  I asked our rep why he didn’t suggest that and it turns out the customer was planning on closing up those windows and has since changed his mind.  It sounds like a situation where there wasn’t much we could have done and ultimately the last 2 windows are going to cost a little more.  Sometimes that’s just life, but if you’re thinking about a partial project this is something to consider.

Will you be happy if the windows look different?

Another factor to consider when replacing some of your windows is that they’ll look, operate, and feel different than your old windows.  You’ll have some that are new and pretty and efficient and some that are not.

That might bug me as I like things to match and feel the same.  You might not care about that, but you want to be aware of it.

partial window project
Here’s an unusual look. If I had been working with this customer I would have suggested replacing both sides of this window.

It’s also possible that the window manufacturer makes a change to the model so your plan of buying some windows now and some later will result in them being similar, but not quite the same.  This is not a big deal to a lot of people, but you’ll want to consider how you’ll feel about it before making that choice.

What about the hassle factor?

It’s also important to remember that any home improvement project can contain a little bit of hassle.  I know in our company we try to make the process as simple as possible, but we’re going to need to make at least two trips to your house (one to measure and one to install).  There may even be a service call needed.  That’s 2-3 visits to your house.

If you replace all the windows at the same time you’ll then be done. If you split up the project into two phases you’ll be looking at 4-6 visits.  That’s not the end of the world, but those are days that you could spend doing something a little more fun (edit: don’t get me wrong, windows are pretty fun!)

So what should I do if I’m considering a partial window project?

First, check with the company to see what the pricing will look like if you do part of the project now and part later vs doing it all now.  A company probably can’t guarantee what the pricing will look like in a year or two, but they can give you an idea.

Next, consider how you’ll feel if there was a style change and the windows can’t match exactly.  You can also ask the company if they’re aware of any upcoming change or if there have been any recent changes.

Then, look at financing options.  Many companies offer 0% financing that might make the project a little more affordable than you imagined.

So what’s the bottom line?

Ultimately only you can decide if replacing some of your windows is better than replacing all of your windows.  I know many of our customers decide on partial projects for a variety of reasons and ultimately it makes no difference to us.  If you’d prefer to do some windows now and some later we’d love to have that business.  I just want to make sure that you know the pros and cons so you can make the best decision for you.

If you’re looking for more info on replacement windows you can check out our list of common window sales tactics here and you can find our detailed replacement window reviews here.

If you have any questions or comments about this article post a comment below and I’ll do my best to get back with you.  Have fun out there!

What is the “MPG” of your windows?

What is the MPG of your windows? Sounds like a silly question right? After all, a window can’t actually be measured for miles per gallon.  That said, a window CAN (and is) be measured and rated for its performance and efficiency, very similar to the MPG on your car.

There is a long list of nerdy, complex ratings for a replacement window, both for thermal and structural performance. The big ones discussed by most experts however, would be U-value and Air Infiltration. Most homeowners learn enough about windows when shopping around to compare the U-value (essentially measures how well the window insulates), but Air Infiltration is not talked about quite as much. This is particularly ironic given that a top three complaint about your old windows will be “they are too drafty”.

So why isn’t this rating talked about more frequently? Frankly, because most windows stink in this area. It would be like a car maker advertising that their new model gets 8 MPG. Not gonna happen. That leaves the ball in your court as a consumer, to ask for and verify these ratings so that you can make an informed buying decision.

For a reference point, a window with an Air Infiltration rating of .20-.30 cfm(lower is better) is about like a gas guzzling truck or suv. Maybe 8-12 MPG. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can find windows in the range of .05-.01 cfm, and those would be more like 40-50+ MPG hybrid or electric car. Of course there is everything in between as well.

Lastly, one of the best things about considering these ratings– air infiltration in particular– is that unlike mileage, these ratings can be great indicators of a window’s quality in addition to it’s performance and efficiency. A small, junky car with a small engine can still get pretty good gas mileage, but for a window to be very airtight, it needs to be engineered and built to exacting tolerances.

 

Brandon Erdmann is the owner of HomeSealed Exteriors in Milwaukee, WI.  He’s a window installation expert, a supporter of this site and an all around great guy.  If you’re in the Milwaukee area and you’re thinking about new windows you should give Brandon a ring.  You’ll be glad you did.

What to look for in a Window Warranty

Replacement Window Warranty Factors

When shopping for replacement windows, one of the majors factors that folks consider is the window warranty.  The warranty coverage on your new windows is significant for many reasons, not the least of which is that you want some security in knowing that you will have long term support on a purchase of thousands of dollars. Like many things in the marketplace, window warranties are part real concern, and part sales and marketing. I like to break warranties down to two primary areas: Product Warranty and Installation/Workmanship Warranty.

Product Warranty:

The product warranty on a replacement window is exactly that. It is the length of time that a manufacturer will provide warranty coverage for manufacturer defects. Generally that will not include items such as damage from abuse, failure to maintain, etc.  However, it does provide for replacement parts should anything fail due to a manufacturer defect. Common items include failed glass seals in an insulated glass unit, defective hardware, warpage, etc.  Some manufacturers offer accidental glass breakage as part of their coverage as well. Most vinyl window manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, while wood windows generally have some variation of a 20/10 warranty, meaning 20 years on glass and 10 years on everything else including the wood.

Things to watch for:

Transferability  is important if you are considering selling the home any time soon. This means that you will be able to transfer the product warranty to one or more future owners of the home. Proration is an often overlooked factor. “Prorated” means that while there is coverage for the entire warranty term, it goes down over time. This is similar to a car battery or roofing shingle, where you have 100% coverage for say the first 10 years, then the coverage starts dropping in increments where you are paying an increasing portion of that as time goes on.  Ideally, a warranty that is fully transferrable and not prorated is best.

What product warranties typically do not cover:

Abuse, acts of God (ie: fires, storms, etc. that would be covered be homeowner’s insurance). Product warranties typically will not cover any labor needed to install the replacements parts. That falls on you as the homeowner, or on the installation company if they offer that service, whether it be paid or at no charge to you. The “fail to maintain” provision can be tricky on wood windows where condensation can damage or rot the wood before the 10 years and potentially be denied as a claim.

Workmanship/Labor/Installation Warranty:

The installation warranty on your replacement windows while important, can vary wildly from one dealer to the next. One company may offer one year on workmanship/installation, while the next offers lifetime, and a third still somewhere in between. The fact of the matter is that most installation related issues will manifest themselves visually within the first year or two after install, so something like a 5 or 10 year warranty is generally adequate. That said, many companies offer 20+ years all the way through lifetime. A lifetime workmanship warranty may sound great in marketing, but remember that the installation warranty is only as good as the company offering it. If all else is equal, certainly a longer term only benefits you as a consumer.

Things to watch for:

Service call/diagnosis charges, coverage to install the parts that are provided under the manufacturer’s warranty and for how long, a list of items that are included or excluded.

What installation warranties typically do not cover:

Installation warranties are intended to cover any poor or defective installation practices. Therefore common things that would be considered maintenance items like caulking, cleaning tracks and such which could hinder operation, etc., are typically not covered or the coverage is limited.

BOTTOM LINE:

Every window warranty is not created equal. “Lifetime warranty” whether on product or installation may not mean the same thing from one company to the next, so take a look at the details and make sure that you are getting the protection that you are expecting. Also keep in mind that those warranties are only as strong as the companies offering them. Company history and reputation are important tools to look at. Lastly, “Lifetime” does have a quantifiable definition in most states. Here in Wisconsin, “Lifetime” for warranty purposes is defined as 30 years. It is recommended that you determine how this is specifically defined in your own location.

Brandon Erdmann is the owner of HomeSealed Exteriors in Milwaukee, WI.  He’s a window installation expert, a supporter of this site and an all around great guy.  If you’re in the Milwaukee area and you’re thinking about new windows you should give Brandon a ring.  You’ll be glad you did.

Top Factors to Consider When Choosing a Window

With over 35 years combined experience in the window business, we’ve worked with many customers to find the right window for their needs. As you move forward with your research, ask yourself what factors are most important to you as a homeowner.  Is matching a particular design aesthetic your primary goal?  Do you prize extreme energy efficiency above all other considerations?  Do you prefer a window with a lifetime warranty that will last for many years to come?  How important is price in making your final decision?  We’ve created a list below of the most common factors homeowners consider when choosing new windows.  The clearer you are about what’s most important to you at the beginning of the window shopping process, the easier it will be to choose the window that best meets your needs.

Budget

For many customers, their spending plan is an important factor in determining which replacement window or door they choose. Some window companies offer only one type of replacement window; others offer a variety of brands and materials at a range of price points that work with many different budgets.  Knowing what you’re able to spend on your project will help you rule out some companies and focus on others.

Selection

Some window companies offer a variety of choices while others have only one window material or brand to offer. The goal of a one-size-fits-all window company will be to convince you that their window is the best and that it’s exactly the right window for you.  Although this may be true in some cases, it’s certainly not true in all.  There are four main materials used in residential replacement windows today:  wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and composite (a blend of more than one material, i.e. wood and vinyl).  The wider the selection of window materials to choose from, the more likely you will end up with the window that’s the best fit for your needs.

Window Quality

Let’s face it: all building materials are not created equal, and windows are no exception.  For some clients, a premium quality window is of the utmost importance; for others, not so much.  In many cases, the higher the quality, the higher the initial price tag.  Higher quality windows will often outlast other brands, so your long-term savings could certainly be worth the up-front investment.  Will you live in the home for many years to come, or are you focused on a short-term solution?  These are all things to consider when looking at the different window brands available.

Design

Some homeowners will start their window research with a specific design aesthetic in mind.  Owners of condominiums and historic homes will usually have to follow certain guidelines when choosing which window to install.  Alternately, your home style or location may demand that you work within specific architectural parameters in order to maintain the integrity of the design; such is the case with Craftsman style homes, or regions like Cape Cod.  Only certain types of windows will look right in these instances, and you want to be sure you’re working with a window installer who can match your home’s design needs.

 Performance

Energy efficiency, U-factor, Solar heat gain coefficient, double-glazed, impact resistant, egress windows, condensation resistance, air leakage, visible transmittance…are you confused yet? These are all words that can be used to describe how a window will perform.  Sometimes online research can leave you with more questions than answers.  All residential replacement windows installed today will need to meet certain basic standards for energy efficiency.  Some homes require specific performance features based on their location, like coastal impact windows for homes located within a certain distance from the ocean.  Additionally, some homeowners may opt for certain features based on what’s important to them (i.e. triple-glazed windows for more energy efficiency; windows with more sound proofing for busy urban areas).  A good window professional will explain your options in language that’s easy to understand, and will make recommendations based on the needs and wants of both home and homeowner.

 Warranty

The terms of a warranty can mean the difference between a good purchase and a great purchase. When choosing a window for your home, be sure to explore the different warranties available.  Common warranty lengths are:  10 year, 20 year, and lifetime.  Many companies have different warranty lengths for different parts of the window (glass seal, frame, hardware, or moving parts).  Not all warranties cover glass breakage, but you can sometimes add that at the time of purchase.  Labor and installation warranties are another aspect to watch out for.  These would usually be offered by the company that installed your windows, and are often a sign that the installer is very confident in their work.

Customer Reviews

Before making any final decisions, we HIGHLY recommend you read reviews by previous customers as part of your research. Angie’s List (which now has a free membership option), Better Business Bureau, Consumer Reports, HomeAdvisor, The Window Dog…there are many websites out there that can help you see who it is that you’ll be inviting into your home.  Read the responses from each company to get a balanced view of complaints and to see how they handle issues.  No company is perfect, and seeing how they handle problems is important should any unforeseen issues arise with your installation.

 Buying Experience

It often doesn’t take more than a couple of appointments for customers to realize that ‘buying experience’ may be one of the most important factors in choosing a window company.  Some window companies employ hard-core sales tactics or focus on bashing other window brands to make their own look better.  Their salesmen may wear you down over the course of several hours or offer a “sign now for huge savings that go away tomorrow!” sort of deal that makes you feel like you have no choice.  Other companies will aim to educate you rather than scare you, and will honor their price quote for a full 30 days after your consultation.  These companies are interested in providing a professional buying experience backed with exceptional customer service.  We encourage you to meet with more than one company so you can see the difference for yourself.

 Company Features

A final question for homeowners to ask themselves is “Who do I want to install my windows?” Do you prefer to work with a large chain business, or would you rather work with a locally-owned company?  What, if any, kind of labor and installation warranty does the company offer?  Are window installations their specialty, or is the company more of a jack-of-all trades?  Do they employ their own installers or do they subcontract their installations out?  Choose your windows and your installer wisely and you will be satisfied with your purchase for years to come.

Nicole Spano is the CEO of United Better Homes in Pawtucket, RI.

How Much Should Replacement Windows Cost?

Homeowners often come to this site looking for advice for specific models of replacement windows, recommendations on a local window installation company or advice on how to avoid these sales tactics. One of the most common questions asked is (of course) all about the money: how much should replacement windows cost?

To answer this question, you’ll have to look at a few things to compare apples to apples… or windows 🙂 by answering three basic questions:

  • What style of windows are you wanting installed?
  • What make and model of window are you choosing?
  • What material is the window made of?

What style of windows are you wanting installed?

First, the most commonly used window is a double hung window. They’re versatile, beautiful and easy to clean. Though double hung vinyl windows can vary widely in cost, look to spend between $450 (basic double pane energy star rated) to $600 or $700 for double hung windows installed with all the bells and whistles (triple pane, reinforced frames/sashes, double strength glass, foam filling etc).

double hung replacement windows
Here are some beautiful double hung windows that were recently installed by Zen windows in Central PA.

Next, casement windows (aka “crank out” style windows) and awning windows are a bit more expensive than a standard double hung windows mentioned above. Although casement windows tend to be more efficient than double hung windows, look to spend a bit more per window .

Bay and bow windows tend to be the most expensive. A quality vinyl bay or bow should range from $4,000 – $6,000 depending on options, colors, sizes and styles. Some bays and bows do not need a roof installed because they are under awnings and can be installed into the soffit. If a roof is required, that will add to the cost.

What make and model of replacement window are you choosing?

Though we won’t spend a ton of time discussing different makes and models of windows since you can check out dozens of them here, there are a few basics to consider when considering a replacement windows cost structure.

Ask yourself:

-Am I paying for a quality window from a reputable manufacturer or am I paying for an expensive marketing campaign?

-Has this company been manufacturing windows for a long time and do they run the risk of going out of business (and therefore will not have any warranty?) You may even want to ask if the manufacturer is a debt-free company.

-Am I paying hundreds of extra dollars per window simply for a brand name or could I get an equal quality (or better) quality window from another reputable manufacturer?  (think about when you’ve chosen a generic prescription at the pharmacy rather than an expensive brand name) 

What material is the window made of?

Finally, the cost of your replacement windows can also hinge largely on the type of material you choose.

Expect to pay more for wood windows, composite windows and windows with cladding of different materials.

Other legitimate factors that can cause the price of your windows to go up are:

  • If your home was built prior to 1978. Due to EPA guidelines, companies that work on homes build before 1978 are required to be certified. There are added charges associated with the installations.
  • A window that is one color on the interior and a different color on the exterior substantially increases the price. Though beautiful, expect these charges to increase the cost of your project from $100-$200 per window.
  • Some companies have a surcharge for any work that is completed above two stories. Though my company doesn’t charge this fee,  other companies do.
  • Even reputable companies often have minimum orders they will accept to install usually ranging between 2 to 5 window minimum orders. If you are under than minimum order, you may be charged slightly extra so be sure to ask to avoid these charges.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post! We welcome your comments and will do our best to get back to you with any questions you may have!

Andrew Zahn is the owner of Zen Windows in Central, PA.   Andrew has worked in home improvement sales, marketing and public relations before opening his own window company.  If you’re in central PA and you’re thinking about new windows you should reach out to Andrew.  He’ll be the easiest window company you’ve ever dealt with. 

Understanding Window Prices

Recently the owner of one of our favorite window companies told me that a customer who had found him through our site was confused or unsure about my pricing examples so I wanted to clarify things a little bit.

This potential customer met with the owner of the company and when he showed her how the pricing would work for her project she said that Dan at TheWindowDog.com told her it would cost less and she thought he was offering a bad deal.  I know him to be an upstanding guy, so I need to try to fix this situation.

It’s important to keep in mind that when I’m throwing out examples of what a window project should cost I don’t know anything about your house, your old windows or the options you’d like in your new windows.  I know a lot of things, but I don’t know as much as the person who has taken the time to learn the details of your specific window replacement project.

As you’re reading my reviews it’s important to remember that most of the time when I’m talking about prices I’m talking about a plain, simple project with white double hung windows as that’s the most common scenario we deal with.

If your project requires extra work to fix a problem or if you’ve picked out windows with fancy options the prices will be higher.  For example, if you’re ordering triple pane windows with a nice exterior color, a woodgrain interior and etched glass it will cost a bit more than any estimate I’ve thrown out there as those are expensive options.

This is why I repeatedly suggest starting with either the companies that we recommend here.  You can be pretty confident that they’ll treat you well and give you an honest assessment of your actual project.

Folks do contact me with questions regarding specifics relating to their project and I try to help as much as I can, but without being directly involved in your project all I can do is guess.

I hope that helps to clarify any misunderstanding.  If there is ever anything I can do to help just drop me a line with the contact link at the bottom of every page.

Thanks!
Dan

Chickens, Eggs & Online Reviews

We were recently contacted by the president of a window manufacturer with a concern about the way we were reviewing her products.  We know running a business can be stressful and the thought of less than positive info about your company isn’t thrilling.  We get that, but the point of the site is to provide our thoughts on various products to folks considering a replacement window project.  It’s not our job to be nice.

We’re in touch with manufacturing folks all the time and we typically don’t write a post about each one.  The reason we wanted to write about this one relates to this specific comment she made:

“I’m certain the manufacturers you carry enjoy the benefits of a favorable review on your site, while those of us you compete against mysteriously have less than stellar reviews.”

This misses a really important point and it occurs to us that other reasonable people might come to the same errant conclusion.  For that reason we wanted to make sure we address it.  While it’s a bit of a chicken an egg scenario, the ultimate answer is pretty clear.  I hope.

Do we give favorable reviews to the products we carry as she suggests or do we carry products that compare well with the other offerings in the marketplace?

There is really nothing mysterious about it.  Like most businesses our only goal is to grow the business.  We work hard to earn more customers every day.  In that effort we know we need to offer great products that will hold up over time from a manufacturer that is likely to be around for the long haul.

We don’t want to send our reps into a customer’s home with 25 window samples so we evaluate the options ahead of time and we make recommendations based on what they’re trying to accomplish.

There is a lot of effort that goes into deciding which products to offer.  Much more than most customers probably realize.   That’s ok. We’re supposed to be the window experts and we take our job pretty seriously.  We routinely evaluate new window options to make sure we’re aware of what is going on in the marketplace.

I would bet we spend 50-100 hours per year evaluating window options to decide if we want to offer them through our business.  Even after doing this for years we still routinely compare window options.  We do it all the time; we’re crazy like that.  Our customers are hiring a professional window company and they want our expert advice.  We take that seriously.

At the end of the day we offer a rather expansive range of replacement windows.  We have basic double pane single hung vinyl windows for a rental property, we have fancy triple pane options for the greenest of customers, we offer a complete line of historic wood and aluminum clad windows and we’re about to bring on a new composite window line.  The shortest warranty we offer is 20 years and most everything we offer comes with a complete lifetime warranty.

There are quite a few windows that we don’t carry because we’re not thrilled with some aspect of the product, the company, the warranty, etc.  Sometimes customers specifically ask us to install a model they want.  We will do that when we can, but we often refuse those requests as we know we’re the ones that will be blamed if/when something doesn’t perform as expected.  We stick with quality because we want happy customers.  I would much rather lose an order than have an unhappy customer.  That very scenario played out yesterday at our Alexandria, VA office.

We do carry some of the products that we’ve reviewed on the site and we’ve made note of that.  We’re offering the best products we’re aware of and we’ll continue to do that as long as we’re in charge around here.

So what’s the bottom line?

We carry the best replacement windows that we know of.  If we find better products we’ll carry those.  If we knew of better products and didn’t at least offer them we’d be doing our customers a great disservice.  That’s what you would want from any professional company, isn’t it?

2015 Replacement Window Tax Credit

Perhaps the most common questions we get are about tax credits for replacement windows.  As we get towards the end of 2014 the big question on everyones mind is whether there will be a tax credit for replacement windows in 2015.  The answer right now is probably not, but it’s nothing to worry about.

best replacement windows of 2015

We know that’s not a very good answer, but it’s our government at work.  The latest update is that after the Democrats lost badly in the mid-term elections in 2014 they quickly moved to pass legislation before they lose control of the senate.  The initiatives they’re currently focusing on are tax credits related to ideas they support.  Energy efficient windows and doors are certainly something the Democrats can get behind.

Will the legislation pass before the Republicans take control of the senate in 2015?

Nobody knows.  What we do know is that last time tax credit legislation passed it was retroactive as long as folks purchased windows that met the current Energy Star guidelines.  Our best advice is to make sure the new windows you’re considering for your home meet the more stringent 2015 Energy Star guidelines.

This newer generation of windows is more efficient than the older 2014 models and they’ll save you money in the long run.  They will  also likely be included in any new tax credit legislation.

If there is a 2015 replacement window tax credit our best guess is that it will be retroactive to 2014 purchases and frankly by mid-November most windows purchased now will be installed in 2015 anyway.

We encourage you to go ahead with your window purchase and to make sure you’ll be getting windows that will qualify just in case there is a tax credit next year.  Any reputable company should be abel to tell you which windows will qualify and we have a post on the subject right here.

Have fun!

If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country.  You can find it right here. 

Home Advisor vs Angie’s List

We get requests literally every day for recommendations for honest local window companies. While we have a pretty good amount of experience working all over the country we can’t recommend local companies in every area. We just don’t know who the best company is Tulsa is, but we know 2 great ways to find out.

If you’ve been reading through the site for a bit you’ve probably seen that we frequently recommend Angie’s List. We do think it’s a great way to get feedback from folks on the companies operating in your area.

Of course Angie’s List is a site that collected feedback from real customers.  On the site you can find info on the companies, detailed reviews from real customers all over your area.  They do charge a small membership fee .

We do know some folks just don’t want to pay to join a list like that. They want to find local window companies and they want to get a couple of free quotes.

Fortunately for you there is a company called Home Advisor that will put you in touch with screened and approved local contractors who will be happy to give you a free quote for your project.

Home Advisor verifies all of the licensing and insurance info of all of the contractors in their system so you can be sure you’re being connected with someone who is reputable in the area.

It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll likely be contacted by 3-4 companies regarding your project.  It’s our suggestion to talk to all of them, but to still be skeptical.  If they throw up any red flags, just move on to the next one.  If they tell you that need both the husband and the wife to be present, I’d move on to the next company.  If they sound helpful and like they know what they’re talking about I’d suggest scheduling a free quote to see what they have to offer.

It’s an easy way to get the ball rolling on your project and you can get started right here. Have fun!