Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in Houston?

There are no mandatory occupational licensing requirements for window contractors who wish to operate in Houston and offer their services to interested residents of the city. Nonetheless, these contractors are typically expected to comply with certain business requirements before they can legally conduct business in the city. These include registering their businesses with the Harris County Clerk's Office or any other applicable local county clerk jurisdiction where they intend to operate and obtaining a state-issued Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Office.

You can contact the Houston Office of Business Opportunity Solutions Center (OBOSC) at (832) 393-0954 to get additional information on the business requirements that must be met by window contractors who wish to operate in the city. Queries of this nature can also be directed to the Houston Office of Economic Development at (832) 393-0937 or (832) 393-0981.

Given that window contractors in Houston are not required to hold occupational licenses before plying their trade, you should consider looking out for other eligibility criteria, such as trade association memberships, to determine their suitability for your window project. Window contractors that belong to trade associations are typically held to high professional standards by these associations and usually also have access to better resources and training opportunities than their non-member counterparts. This, in turn, generally translates into better work experience and skills and usually guarantees that your window project will be handled professionally and satisfactorily.

Some reputable trade associations to which window contractors in Houston typically belong include the Texas Glass Association, the American Subcontractors Association – Houston Chapter, the Greater Houston Builders Association, the Houston Contractors Association, and the Texas Construction Association. Some of these contractors also obtain voluntary certifications from organizations like the Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council to indicate advanced knowledge and expertise in specific areas of window work.

Note that you should always verify claims of certifications or trade association membership made by any window contractor that you intend to hire by requesting proof of this and contacting the relevant organization to authenticate this proof.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Window Repair Contractors in the City?

When looking to undertake window installation, replacement, or repair projects in Houston, you should consider getting and comparing costs for the project from several contractors in the city. This way, you can get a fair estimate of the project's expected cost and avoid being overcharged by fraudulent window contractors. Note that the cost estimates provided by contractors for the project will be affected by several factors, such as:

• The number of windows that require replacing or repairing
• The size and design of the windows
• The material of the window frame
• Your choice of glass type
• Accessibility to the windows
• The local reputation of your window contractor
• Your location within the city
• Miscellaneous activities, such as disposing of old windows and repair work to walls where these windows are removed from

Be wary of contractors who provide estimates without properly assessing your home or the specific location for the intended window project. Ensure that every contractor you ask for cost estimates is given similar parameters for the job, look out for estimates that are noticeably different from the others, and do not hire contractors that cannot offer a reasonable explanation for this difference.

Houston's window replacement, repair, and installation contractors earn approximately $45,290 annually. Listed below are the hourly average wages for Houston 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?

Permits are generally required for construction, remodeling, and building repair work in Houston, and these include window installation and replacement projects. However, permit exemptions may be made for work strictly involving window awnings supported by an exterior wall. Note that these awnings must not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and must not require additional support.

Building permits in the city are issued by the Houston Permitting Center, and they can be obtained online via this center's eServices self-service portal. This portal contains several submission platforms, and applicants will be required to register a user account before they can properly utilize them. To this end, the permitting center also provides user guides on the portal that can be used to get information on the account registration and permit application process. Note that this process typically includes the completion and submission of a Building Permit Application, the payment of stipulated fees, and may also require the provision of project plans and drawings where necessary.

Also, city officials typically conduct on-site inspections of permitted projects to ensure that the work is done per the relevant provisions of the Houston Construction Code and other applicable city regulations. You can get additional information or make inquiries concerning the building permit issuance process for window installation, replacement, and repair projects in Houston by contacting the Houston Permitting Center at:

Queries can also be directed to the center via an online contact form.

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

The kind of services your intended window contractors offer is an important factor to consider when undertaking window replacement, repair, or installation projects in Houston. Professional window contractors in the city generally offer several types of services, which can be collectively grouped into three main categories:

• New window installations
• Cracked/ faulty window replacements and repairs
• Window maintenance services, such as these, include caulking, sealing, rescreening, and tinting

While many of these window contractors offer services over a wide array of window styles and designs, some may choose to specialize in specific window types and hone their craft in these areas. Common window styles and designs that professional Houston window contractors specialize in include:

• Double-hung windows
• Casement windows
• Slider windows
• Awning windows
• Picture windows
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Garden windows
• Hopper windows
• Roundtop windows
• Special shape windows
• Fixed windows
• Single-hung windows
• Arched windows
• Skylight windows

Note that these windows typically have different operating styles and features that may affect their suitability for your specific home conditions. For example, even though awning and hopper windows do not open fully, they are suitable for rooms that require cooling and proper ventilation. On the other hand, fixed and picture windows do not open at all and are mainly installed for aesthetic purposes. Therefore, you should always confirm that the window contractor you plan to hire has the proper experience and tools to provide services that align with your preferred window style and design.

Depending on the scope of your window project, you should also consider determining if your window installation and replacement contractors provide siding, roofing, gutter, and insulation services and how much they will cost you. Listed below are cost estimates for common window-related services offered in Houston. Note that factors like your location in the city and the complexity of the job will influence the actual costs of these services:

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?

After confirming the types of window services your preferred window contractors are equipped to offer, you should also find out the types of window brands they specialize in. Some tried and trusted window brand manufacturers favored for residential and commercial window projects by residents of Houston include:

• Anlin Windows and Doors
• Amsco Windows
• Windsor Windows and Doors
• Marvin Windows and Doors
• Pella Windows
• Andersen Windows
• Don Young Windows
• NT Windows
• Euro-Wall
• ProVia Windows
• Quaker Windows and Doors
• Western Window Systems
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Milgard Windows
• Ply Gem Windows

Even though all these window brands are generally made with high-quality materials, their efficiency is usually dependent on proper handling and installation. As such, you should always confirm that the window contractor you hire is experienced in installing the specific window brand you intend to pick to ensure your project is carried out satisfactorily. Note that certain features should be considered before picking a window brand for your home. These include:

• Affordability
• Aesthetic appeal
• Security and safety
• Ventilation
• Ease of operation and cleaning
• Compatibility with your home's interior and exterior
• Insulation
• Climate control

Discuss these features with your window contractors, and also find out the available warranty options for your preferred brand. Many window brand manufacturers offer what is called a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which provides coverage for your window for a specified period that the window brand manufacturer determines. This period is usually the lifespan in which the window is expected to hold its quality. While the specific coverage provided by window replacement warranties may vary by manufacturer, the areas covered generally include:

• Installation
• Window materials
• Defects
• Hardware
• Energy-efficient glass options
• Glass breakage
• Obstruction of vision
• Custom options

Nevertheless, it is always in your best interest to request a written copy of your warranty and review its specific terms and conditions properly so that you do not void them.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

Windows account for as much as 30 percent of the household heating and cooling energy use losses. With rising energy costs in the Houston area, replacing your old or faulty windows with new energy-efficient ones should be a high priority when undertaking window installation or replacement projects in the city. In addition to saving you up to $500 on your annual household energy bills, other advantages of installing energy-efficient windows in your home include:

• Energy-efficient windows increase indoor comfort by protecting from winter chills and shielding from summer heat.
• Energy-efficient windows protect your household furniture, floors, carpets, and other valuables from UV sun damage and reduce fading in these items by up to 75 percent.
• Energy-efficient windows are typically certified and verified to perform as labeled.

As such, while you may balk at the presumed initial cost of installing energy-efficient windows, carrying out these installations pays off in the long run. You can also offset these initial installation expenses by applying for available federal, state, or local energy efficiency rebates and tax incentives. You can find available energy-efficient window installation rebates and tax incentives in Houston via platforms like the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website and the US Department of Energy's Energy Star Rebate Finder. Note that the latter offers rebates specifically for ENERGY STAR-certified products.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in Houston?

There are no mandatory insurance requirements for window contractors that operate in Houston. Nevertheless, the importance of hiring properly insured contractors for your window installation, replacement, and repair projects in the city cannot be overstated. Data published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2020 suggest that approximately 77,770 non-fatal injuries and 393 fatal injuries were recorded amongst installation, maintenance, and repair workers across the country. Injuries in this industry also accounted for close to 11 percent of the work-related fatalities that were recorded in Texas during this period.

Window contractors face several on-the-job hazards, ranging from cuts and lacerations from broken glass and fall from heights to inhalation of toxic fumes from sealants, adhesives, cleaners, solvents, and other similar chemicals. Hiring an insured window contractor insulates you from liabilities if they get injured while providing your requested window services. This insurance also covers the cost of property damage and other errors caused by the contractor during the job.

As such, you should always request proof of liability insurance from your intended window contractors and proof of workers' compensation insurance if they have any employees. Contact the contractor's insurance provider to authenticate this proof and confirm that its minimum coverage limits are adequate for the scope of your project.