Questions to Ask a Window Contractor

The right questions before you sign tell you more about a window contractor than any sales pitch. Ask about state registration and insurance, who pulls the permit, exactly which product is going in, how it will be installed, what the warranty covers and how payment works.

Good contractors answer all of these in writing without hesitation. If someone gets vague or pushes you to decide on the spot, that tells you something too.

At TurnKey Window we replace windows for homeowners across the New Orleans area, and we’d rather you ask too many questions than too few. If you want to run through this list with us, send us a note or call (504) 226-6201.

Key takeaways

The FTC advises hiring only licensed and insured contractors and confirming the license with your state.
In Louisiana, home improvement jobs over $7,500 require a contractor with a home improvement registration, and the state board runs a public contractor search.
As of August 1, 2026, Louisiana requires home improvement registrants to carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance.
The FTC lists a contractor asking you to get the building permit as a tactic scammers use.
Get written estimates that describe the work, materials, completion date and price, and a contract with no blank spaces.
Don’t pay the full amount up front, and hold the final payment until the work is done.

Licensing and insurance questions

Start with the basics. The FTC’s guide on how to avoid a home improvement scam says to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured, to confirm the license with your state or county and to ask for proof of insurance.

Are you registered or licensed with the state?

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors FAQ says a home improvement registration is required when a residential project’s total is over $7,500, counting labor and materials together.

The board also runs a contractor search where you can look up a business by name, license number, city, parish or type. Ask for the registration or license number, then check it yourself.

Can I see your insurance certificates?

The LSLBC’s July 2026 memo on statutory changes says that, effective August 1, 2026, home improvement applicants and licensees must maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance or qualifying protection through an authorized trust fund.

The same memo says required workers’ compensation and liability protection must stay continuously in effect while a license or registration is active. Ask for current certificates and check the dates.

Will your own crew do the install?

Ask who will actually be in your house. If subcontractors are involved, ask how they’re covered and who supervises them.

It’s also fair to ask who your day-to-day contact will be. You’ll want one person who can answer questions about the schedule, the order and the invoice, rather than a different voice every time you call.

Permit and approval questions

Window replacement in the City of New Orleans generally needs a building permit. The city’s Guide to Building Permits says a permit is required to alter or repair a building, and window replacement isn’t on its list of exempt work.

Ask who pulls the permit. The FTC lists a contractor asking you to get any required building permits as a tactic scammers use.
Confirm the permit fee is in the price. New Orleans charges job value x .005 + $60, according to the city’s guide.
Ask about historic review. The HDLC’s Certificate of Appropriateness page says exterior work on buildings in local historic districts needs one, with a 50 percent surcharge added to the permit fee.
Settle who handles inspections. Find out who schedules them and whether you need to be home.

If you live outside Orleans Parish, ask the same questions about your own parish’s permit office.

window replacement services New Orleans

Product questions

“Vinyl double-hung” can describe many different windows. Pin down exactly what you’re buying.

What brand, series and glass package is this?

Ask for the manufacturer, product line, frame material, glass type and any coatings, in writing. Two quotes can look alike until you compare the series and glass.

What are the NFRC ratings?

The NFRC’s consumer guide to the NFRC label says the label lets you compare windows on independent energy ratings, including U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, visible transmittance and air leakage. Ask for the label values for the exact window being quoted.

In a hot climate like ours, solar heat gain is a number worth asking about. Our post on what makes a window energy-efficient explains the ratings in more detail.

Is this an insert or a full-frame replacement?

An insert fits a new window inside the existing frame. A full-frame job removes the old frame down to the rough opening. Ask which one is quoted and why, since it changes the price, the look and what can be repaired underneath.

Are these custom sized?

Older openings may not match stock sizes. Ask whether the windows are made to measure, and see our custom windows page for how that works.

Installation questions

A good window installed badly will leak. These questions get at how the work will be done.

Final measurements. Ask whether the installer or a separate measurer does it, and who pays if a window arrives the wrong size.
The installation standard. Ask which one the crew follows. Manufacturers can tie warranty coverage to it. SoftLite’s warranty summary, for example, excludes damage from installation that doesn’t follow its standards, ASTM E 2112, AAMA 2400 and local code.
Flashing and sealing. Ask what goes around the frame and what caulk or sealant is used outside.
Hidden rot. Get the process and pricing for hidden damage in writing before work starts.
Protecting your home. Ask about floor and furniture covers, dust control and debris removal.
The schedule. Ask for the lead time on the order and how many days the install will take.

How long will the whole project take?

Timing questions save a lot of frustration. GEALAN, a window profile manufacturer, says in its installation timeline guide that custom orders can take 4 to 8 weeks before installation can begin.

Once the windows arrive, the same guide puts a standard replacement window at about 30 to 60 minutes, and homes with 20 or more windows or multiple levels at up to 2 to 3 days. If a quote’s timeline is far off those ranges in either direction, ask why.

Also ask how the crew handles weather. A good answer covers what happens to an open wall if a storm moves in, and whether each opening is closed up the same day.

Warranty questions

There are usually two warranties: the manufacturer’s on the product and the installer’s on the workmanship. Ask for both in writing.

Labor on warranty claims. SoftLite’s summary, for example, provides replacement parts but says the supplier isn’t responsible for removal, installation or reinstallation costs.
Product registration. SoftLite requires product registration within 60 days of installation for the warranty to be active.
Who to call first. SoftLite’s summary says warranty claims should first go to the contractor or company that installed the windows.
Transfer if you sell. Terms vary. SoftLite allows one transfer to a second owner for a $250 fee within six months of the deed transfer.

If you’re considering SoftLite, our SoftLite installation and replacement page covers the product lines.

Various white window frames displaying different styles including arched, casement, and awning designs with blinds

Price, contract and payment questions

The FTC recommends getting multiple written estimates, each describing the work, materials, completion date and price. It also warns against automatically choosing the lowest bid and suggests asking for an explanation when estimates differ a lot.

What should the contract include?

The FTC says to make sure a contract includes these items before you sign:

The contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number
An estimated start and completion date
Any promises made in conversations about scope of work and the cost of labor and materials
A written statement of your right to cancel within three business days if you signed it in your home or somewhere other than the seller’s permanent place of business
No blank spaces

How much do you need up front?

The FTC’s advice is not to pay the full amount up front, and it notes that some states limit how much a contractor can ask as a down payment. It also says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you’re satisfied with it.

Red flags to watch for

The FTC lists tactics that scammers use. Several of them show up in window sales.

Knocking on your door because they’re “in the area”
Claiming to have materials left over from another job
Pressuring you for an immediate decision
Asking you to pay for everything up front or only accepting cash
Asking you to get the building permits yourself

The FTC also suggests checking with local consumer protection officials for complaints and searching the company’s name with words like “scam,” “review” or “complaint.”

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask a window contractor before hiring them?

Ask for their state registration or license number, proof of insurance, who pulls the permit, the exact product and glass package, the installation method, both warranties in writing and the payment schedule. The FTC also recommends getting multiple written estimates.

Does a window contractor need a license in Louisiana?

For residential home improvement jobs over $7,500, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires a home improvement registration. You can check a contractor on the board’s online contractor search.

Should the contractor or the homeowner get the permit?

In most cases you’ll want the contractor to handle it. The FTC lists a contractor asking you to get required building permits as a tactic scammers use.

How much should I pay a window contractor up front?

The FTC advises against paying the full amount up front and notes that some states limit down payments. Hold the final payment until the work is finished and you’re satisfied.

How many window quotes should I get?

The FTC recommends getting multiple written estimates and not automatically choosing the lowest bidder. Ask for an explanation if the prices differ a lot.

Put us to the test

Bring this list to your estimate and ask every question on it. We’ll answer in writing and give you a free estimate for your windows.

Read our FAQs, see our window replacement services, or contact us. You can also call (504) 226-6201.

Questions to Ask a Window Replacement Contractor Before You Sign