Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Fort Worth, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Window Company in Fort Worth
Finding the right professional to handle your drafty window repairs or new window installations is not as simple as it seems. Your choice of window installer or repairer can affect your home's aesthetic appeal, security, and safety from the elements. Also, choosing a poorly-trained installer can end up costing you a whopping 30 percent more on your annual utility bill due to energy loss.
Therefore, to make sure that you hire professionals that can expertly complete your window repair or installation job in accordance with the Fort Worth city ordinances and construction codes, always ask the following questions before hiring any window contractors in Fort Worth:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in Fort Worth?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Window Repair Contractors in the City?
- Will You Get the Window Installation Permits as Required by the City Code?
- What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?
- What Brands of Windows Do You Work With?
- How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in Fort Worth?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Window Replacement Contractor in Fort Worth
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in Fort Worth?
Window contractors who wish to operate in Fort Worth do not have to undergo any mandatory occupational licensing process before offering their services within the city's jurisdiction. However, they will be required to register as Building Contractors with the Fort Worth Development Services Department before they can apply for or obtain city-issued permits.
Window contractors that wish to register with the city's Development Services Department may do so by completing a Contractor Registration Application Form and submitting this form, along with a copy of their valid driver's license and stipulated registration fees, to:
City of Fort Worth Development Services DepartmentCity Hall
Lower Level
200 Texas Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Inquiries concerning the city's registration process for contractors who wish to pull permits can be directed to the Development Services Department at the address provided above or by calling (817) 392-2222. You can also verify your intended window contractor's registration status by calling this number.
Though window contractors in Fort Worth are not required to have occupational licenses in order to practice their craft in the city, it is a good idea to check for other qualifications to determine their suitability for your window project. One way to do this is by looking out for contractors with membership in reputable trade associations and certifications obtained from some of these organizations. These organizations typically hold their member contractors to high professional standards and also afford them access to resources and training opportunities that are not readily available to non-member contractors. Thus, window contractors that have been certified by these trade associations are usually more skilled and experienced than their counterparts, and this, in turn, leads to more competent and satisfactory window services from them.
Reputable trade associations and organizations that window contractors in Fort Worth typically belong to or obtain certifications from include the Texas Glass Association, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association, the Texas Construction Association, and the Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council. Note that you should always confirm that your intended window contractor actually belongs to or has been certified by any of these organizations by requesting proof of this and authenticating it with the appropriate organization.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Window Repair Contractors in the City?
Window repair, replacement, and installation charges in Fort Worth typically vary by contractor, and it is always a good idea to find out how much your intended contractor charges for their services to avoid misunderstandings and arguments down the line. You should also consider getting and comparing rates or estimates from at least three different contractors before making your final hiring selection to ensure that you are charged a fair price for your required services. Note that the rates or estimates you will be given by these contractors will be dependent on a number of factors, which include:
- The specific nature of your required window services
- The number of windows involved in the job
- The size and design of the windows
- Your glass type and window material frame of choice
- Accessibility to the job site
- Your preferred contractor's level of experience and local reputation
- Your location within the city
- The labor intensity of the job
When requesting cost estimates from contractors, ensure that each of them is given the same information for the project's requirements. Watch out for contractors that offer definite prices without adequately evaluating the specific location for the window projects. You should also watch out for estimates that stand out from the rest and never hire any contractor that cannot reasonably justify the noticeable price difference in their estimates.
Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in Fort Worth earn approximately $43,670 every year. Listed below are the hourly average wages for Fort Worth window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of Texas as well as several other major cities in the United States:
Will You Get the Window Installation Permits as Required by the City Code?
A permit typically has to be obtained before the commencement of new construction in Fort Worth and for work that changes, moves, or repairs windows in existing buildings and structures in the city. These permits can be obtained from the Fort Worth Development Services Department. This department issues two types of permits, namely Residential Permits and Commercial Permits. Residential permits are issued for work done on one or two-family detached homes and their accessory structures on individually platted lots, while commercial permits are issued for work done on other types of buildings and structures in the city.
Applications for residential and commercial building permits can be made online via the city's Online Permitting System. Note that first-time applicants will be required to register a user account on the platform before they can create and submit their permit applications. Also, the nature and scope of the project will determine whether the submission of documents like construction plans, site plans, and building drawings will be required before requested permits are issued.
Permit applications can also be made by completing and submitting appropriate applications and forms in person at the Development Services Department office located at:
City Hall200 Texas Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Note that the payment of fees is usually required before permits are issued. Once these permits are issued, inspections may also be required at several stages of the project to make sure that the work done complies with the city's construction codes. You can contact the Fort Worth Development Services Department at the address provided above, online, or via phone at (817) 392-2222 to get further information on its permitting procedures and requirements for window installation, replacement, and repair projects in the city.
What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?
The kind of services your preferred window contractors are equipped to provide is a crucial criterion to consider when searching for professionals to handle your window replacement, repair, or installation projects in Fort Worth. Professional window contractors in the city generally provide a variety of services that can be broadly grouped into three primary categories:
- New window installations
- Broken/faulty window replacement and repair services
- Window maintenance services, like caulking, tinting, sealing, and rescreening
Note that while many professional window contractors in the city provide these services over a wide range of window styles and designs, some may opt to focus on particular window types and specialize their services in these niches. Some common window styles and designs that can be seen in homes and properties across Fort Worth include:
- Single-hung windows
- Double-hung windows
- Bow windows
- Bay windows
- Sky-facing/Skylight windows
- Glass block windows
- Garden windows
- Round windows
- Casement windows
- Awning windows
- Egress windows
- Picture windows
- Arched windows
- Sliding windows
- Tilt and turn windows
- Custom windows
Keep in mind that each of these window styles and designs has different features and components that may affect how well they fit your home's particular window needs. For example, awning windows are appropriate for rooms that need cooling and proper ventilation, even though these types of windows do not fully open. On the other hand, picture windows do not open at all and are usually installed solely to improve the aesthetic appeal of a room.
As such, you should always ensure that the window contractor you intend to hire offers your required window services and has the necessary skill set to provide these services for your preferred window styles and designs. If you are undertaking a home improvement project that involves siding, roofing, gutter, and insulation installation and repairs, you should also find out if your intended window contractor offers these as additional services and how much it will cost you.
Cost estimates for common services offered by professional window contractors in Fort Worth are provided below. Note that the actual costs of these services will depend on factors like your location within the city and the difficulty of the task:
Estimates for window installation or repair based on task
Estimates for window repair/replacement based on faulty component
Estimates for window repair based on the type of window
Estimates for window repair based on window frame material
What Brands of Windows Do You Work With?
Finding out the types of window brands your window contractor works with is the next step after confirming that they offer your required window services. While there are several available brands of windows to choose from for your project, some of the window brand manufacturers that are favored by residents of Fort Worth include, but are not limited to:
- NT Windows
- Lanham Window Company
- SunSmart Windows and Doors
- Legacy Exteriors
- Boswell Aluminum Products
- Thermal Windows
- Pella Windows and Doors
- Windsor Windows and Doors
- Marvin Windows and Doors
- Milgard Windows
- Western Window Systems
- Andersen Windows
- Sierra Pacific Windows
- Ply Gem Windows
- Amsco Windows
- ProVia Windows
- Anlin Windows and Doors
- Don Young Windows
- Quaker Windows and Doors
Some benefits of utilizing well-known window brands when installing new windows in your home or replacing old ones include:
- They are made with high-quality materials and durable components
- They have been locally tried and trusted
- They typically have a wide variety of available designs and styles
However, note that these windows have to be properly installed to get optimal and satisfactory use out of them. Therefore, you should always ensure that your intended window contractor is experienced in handling the specific window brand you wish to use for your window project and that they comply with all relevant manufacturer installation instructions.
It is also a good idea to discuss certain features with your window contractor before choosing a particular window brand or model for your home. These features include:
- Compatibility with your home's interior and exterior
- Aesthetic appeal
- Affordability
- Security
- Safety
- Ventilation
- Energy efficiency and climate control
- Ease of operation and cleaning
- Warranties
With regards to warranties, pay special attention to the available warranty options provided by the window brand manufacturer as well as their terms and conditions. The most common warranty option offered by window manufacturers is a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which typically covers performance and aesthetic errors in the window for a specified time frame. Note that the scope of coverage offered by window manufacturers in their warranties mainly depends on the manufacturer themselves and the type and model of the window in question. As such, you should always request a copy of your warranty and review it properly to ensure that you understand and thus do not void its specific terms and conditions.
How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?
Up to 30% of the energy used for residential household heating and cooling is lost through windows, making energy efficiency an important consideration when contemplating new window installations or old window upgrades or replacements. Data published by the United States Department of Energy suggests that installing energy-efficient windows in your home can save you up to $501 annually on your household energy bills.
In addition to reducing your energy bills, investing in energy-efficient windows protects your furniture and other household valuables from UV sun damage, increases indoor comfort, and qualifies you for available local, state, and federal energy rebates and tax incentives. These rebates and incentives are a good way to cut down the overall cost of installing these energy-efficient windows in your home. You can find available financing options, energy rebates, and incentives and also determine if you qualify for these programs by accessing the following platforms:
- The North Central Texas Council of Government's Energy Management, Efficiency, and Renewable Energy website
- The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Website
- The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website
- The ENERGY STAR rebate finder website
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in Fort Worth?
More than 390 fatal injuries and 77,700 nonfatal injuries were recorded among installation, maintenance, and repair workers in 2020, and workers in this industry accounted for nearly 11 percent of the on-the-job fatalities in Texas during this same period. As such, even though window contractors operating in Fort Worth are not required to meet any local or state-mandated insurance obligations, the importance of hiring adequately insured contractors cannot be overstated.
Failing to hire a properly insured window contractor to handle your window installation, replacement, or repair project means that you will be held liable for any injuries or property damage that occurs during the project. Considering that window contractors face hazards like falls from heights, cuts and tears from broken glass and sharp work tools, and exposure to toxic fumes from sealants, adhesives, and other chemicals, the possibility of this happening is quite likely.
Therefore, always ensure that your intended window contractor carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance for their employees before they commence any work in your home. Request proof of this insurance coverage from the contractor and contact the appropriate insurance company to authenticate its validity. You should also confirm that the contractor's insurance limits will be enough for the scope of your window project.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Window Replacement Contractor in Fort Worth
Complaints against bad window replacement contractors in Fort Worth are handled at the state level by the Texas Attorney General's Office through its Consumer Protection Division.
It is estimated that more than 30,000 cases are handled by the Texas Attorney General's Office every year, with many of these cases arising from complaints concerning consumer fraud and other related matters filed by residents of the state. As such, when looking to take on window installation, replacement, or repair projects in Fort Worth, it is important to do your due diligence to ensure that you do not end up being cheated or scammed by fraudulent contractors. Some techniques used by these fraudulent contractors include:
- Utilizing high-pressure sales tactics to get homeowners to sign up for their services
- Offering low initial rates and prices and subsequently increasing their charges once the job commences.
- Demanding full payment before beginning any work and absconding after receiving this payment
- Deliberately doing a poor job to get a call-back and charging the consumer for this call-back.
In 2018, local news station WBAP reported that Fort Worth police had arrested a man accused of scamming homeowners in Texas and at least two other states out of tens of thousands of dollars by collecting money for remodeling projects and failing to provide the required services. Likewise, in 2019, WFAA reported that a Tarrant County contractor had been sentenced to 47 years in prison for stealing over $58,000 from residents of the area by fraudulent advertising and receiving payment for home improvement and remodeling services that were never provided. According to the report, most of the contractor's victims were elderly homeowners.
The following tips can help you avoid falling victim to these types of scams when searching for window replacement services in Fort Worth:
- Do not hire unsolicited window contractors, no matter how good their offers seem
- Use resources like the Better Business Bureau website to find reputable contractors near you when searching for window contractors in the city. You can also get referrals to window contractors from friends and relatives who have completed similar projects.
- Be cautious of contractors that utilize high-pressure or scare tactics
- Always get and compare written estimates for your project from at least three different contractors before making your hiring decision
- Never hire contractors that do not have verifiable physical addresses
- Be wary of contractors that do not have identifying marks, like branded vehicles or uniforms.
- Be wary of contractors that show up at your home with out-of-state vehicle plates.
- Do not hire any contractor who cannot provide you with recommendations or references from past clients. Make sure that you contact any references you are given and get their first-hand reviews on the contractor's services and work ethic. You can also look up reviews and testimonials on the contractor online.
- Confirm your contractor's registration status by contacting the Fort Worth Development Services Department at (817) 392-2222. Note that this registration is required before the contractor can pull permits for the job
- Make sure that your contractor carries adequate liability insurance
- Do not hire any contractor who refuses or is hesitant to provide a written contract for the job. Make sure that the contract you are given contains the contractor's details, a description of the services that are to be provided and the materials to be used, a timeline for the job, and its total cost
- Always review contracts, warranties, and other written documents that you are given properly and make sure that you clearly understand the terms and clauses of these documents before signing them
- Do not make full payment for your project upfront, and never hire any contractor that asks you to do this. If you have to make down payments, make sure that the amount is not more than one-third of the total value of your project
You can file complaints concerning bad window contractors, home improvement scams, and other similar matters that occur in Fort Worth with the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office via an online consumer complaint form. Complaints can also be filed with this division by calling (800) 621-0508 or by mailing a pdf consumer complaint form to:
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
You can also take further action to seek damages against bad window contractors in the city by filing a lawsuit with the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts. Note that it is in your best interest to consult with a private attorney before taking this step. To this end, you can utilize the State Bar of Texas's Lawyer Referral and Information Service to find licensed and qualified consumer attorneys in the Fort Worth area that you can consult with.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in Fort Worth?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Window Repair Contractors in the City?
- Will You Get the Window Installation Permits as Required by the City Code?
- What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?
- What Brands of Windows Do You Work With?
- How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in Fort Worth?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Window Replacement Contractor in Fort Worth