Choosing the right company to handle your Somerset County window replacement isn’t always as simple as looking at a few estimates and signing a contract. Many times, it involves interviewing a few different companies, asking questions and exploring all the different options that are available to you. As a homeowner, you obviously want to ensure that you get the best value for your hard earned money. Don’t just settle for the first contractor you come across, you would be surprised at how many possibilities are out there! As you shop around for the perfect Somerset County window replacement contractor, there are a few things to keep an eye out for. All reputable contractors should be proud of their work, and the pride should come through every employee that you speak to. Before you even consider a company, make sure they are enthusiastic about their work and knowledgable in their field. If they seem like they may be a good choice, proceed to ask them some questions. The following questions should help you determine which Somerset County Window Replacement company is the best option for you:

Questions to Ask a Somerset County Window Replacement Contractor

Ask For The Full Address Of the Somerset County Window Replacement Company

Although this may seem like a strange question to ask, getting the complete address of the company can be an important factor in determining a company’s time in business. If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well. Try to hire a contractor that has an office nearby. The likelihood of better service and quicker response time is greater if the company is based near your home.

Ask If The Company Carries The Right Insurance

A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance* to protect you in the event of an accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor’s certificates of insurance (workers’ compensation and general liability). Let the contractor know you want current certificates sent to you by the insurer before the job is started.
Contractors may also carry other kinds of insurance including health, life and auto insurance. Bland assurances of insurance coverage may refer to these. Don’t be confused. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation* coverage for window projects.

Contractors who carry insurance and follow safety guidelines on fall prevention endure higher job overhead costs. These expenses could be the cause of price variations between contractors who follow the standards versus those who ignore them. Beware of uninsured contractors. Contractors who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper to hire as they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Workers’ compensation premiums can increase wage costs from about 20% to as much as 100%, depending on the state.

There are a variety of reasons why full insurance may not be carried by a contractor, such as:

Not a full-time contractor
Operates as a partnership or self-employed without employees
New in the business
Can’t afford insurance premiums
Doesn’t stand behind work
It is up to you to determine if it is worth the risk to hire a contractor who does not carry insurance.

Ask if the Somerset County Window Replacement Company is Licensed or Credentialed

When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city. Not all states require contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then he might have had to pass a written examination in his specialty, although few licenses make this a requirement. A number of cities also require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details.

A contractor may also answer this question by telling you he has a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor’s competence. Several window manufacturers offer a variety of programs to professional contractors that establish their credentials as a knowledgeable window company. Homeowners can view a contractor’s credentials as another indicator of their degree of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the construction trade.

Ask How Long the Contractor Has Been Doing Business

Needless to say, longer is usually better. Under three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start somewhere. References will be helpful to double check any business, and especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.

Does The Company Offer a Warranty or Guaranteed

Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not necessarily more valuable than shorter warranties. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the company to stand behind his warranty. That is best evaluated using customer referrals. Ask his customers specifically for information about these four things:

Did he perform his work on a timely basis?
Was he responsive when asked for information and changes?
Did he act as if he cared about the customers interests?
And finally, would you call the company trustworthy?

The company should warrant their workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warranties the windows against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover the new window system. Understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty pertaining to the specific window products you are considering.

Usually, problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the contractor or manufacturer is more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty. Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable contractor usually will want to stand behind his work.

Somerset County Window Replacement Company | Markey LLC

If you’re looking for the best Somerset County window replacement contractor, look no further than Markey LLC. For over 2 decades, Markey LLC has been providing outstanding Somerset County window replacement services to our community with pride and integrity. We replace bow & bay windows, casement windows, double hung windows, garden windows and more! Contact us or visit our Somerset County replacement window showroom to see full size displays of our products. All of our employees are factory certified and we never use subcontractors. James T Markey Home Remodeling has received Angie’s List Super Service Awards for 2012 and 2013 and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.