How to Hire the Right Contractor: 5 Questions Every Colorado Homeowner Should Ask First

Replacing your windows, doors, or siding is a major investment in your home. The products matter, but so does the company installing them.

A great product installed poorly can become a bad investment. And two estimates that look similar at first glance may include very different products, warranties, installation methods, and levels of service.

So before you choose a contractor based on the number at the bottom of the estimate, ask a few questions.

Here are five questions every Colorado homeowner should ask before hiring an exterior contractor, plus a simple way to compare products and proposals fairly.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Start here. Ask the contractor what licensing is required for your project and jurisdiction, and make sure the company carries appropriate insurance. Don't be uncomfortable asking for documentation.

You are inviting a company to work on one of your largest investments. A professional contractor should expect homeowners to ask these questions.

Also ask: Who will actually be doing the installation?

Will it be the contractor's regular installation team? A subcontractor? Who supervises the project? And if you have a problem during installation, who is your point of contact? You should know who you're hiring before work begins.

2. What Products Are You Quoting, Exactly?

Don't accept an estimate that simply says "replacement windows," "new siding," or "patio door."

Ask for the manufacturer, product line, materials, glass package, style, color, hardware, and other major specifications that apply to your project.

Why? Because products that look similar can perform very differently.

For example, the Pella homeowner guide breaks its windows and patio doors into several different product lines using clad-wood, fiberglass, and vinyl, with different features and price ranges. Its entry-door options include fiberglass and steel.

The material itself also matters. Pella's guide describes different characteristics for clad-wood, fiberglass, and vinyl windows and patio doors, as well as fiberglass and steel entry doors.

In other words, two contractors can both quote you "new windows" and actually be proposing two very different projects.

3. What Does the Warranty Cover?

There may be more than one warranty involved in your project.

Ask about the manufacturer's product warranty and the contractor's installation or workmanship warranty.

Then get specific: How long does each warranty last? What parts are covered? Is labor covered? Who handles a warranty claim? Are there exclusions? Is the warranty transferable if you sell your home?

Manufacturer warranties can also vary by product. Pella, for example, emphasizes limited warranties on its windows and patio doors in its homeowner guide.

Don't settle for, "Yes, it has a warranty." Ask to see it.

4. How Will This Product Perform on My Colorado Home?

This is where choosing a contractor with experience in Colorado matters. A product shouldn't be recommended simply because it's popular or because that's what a contractor happens to sell.

Your contractor should consider where you live, the elevation, sun exposure, wind, temperature swings, the direction the windows and doors face, your home's construction, and your goals for the project.

• If you're buying windows or glass patio doors, ask about energy performance and the glass package being proposed.

• If you're replacing siding, ask about durability, maintenance, and whether wildfire-resistant construction is a consideration for your property.

• If you're replacing an entry door, discuss the material, exposure, security, glass, maintenance, and weather resistance.

There isn't one perfect product for every Colorado house. There should be a reason your contractor is recommending this particular product for your particular home.

5. What Is Included in This Price?

This may be the most important question when comparing bids. A lower estimate isn't necessarily a better deal if important parts of the project aren't included.

Ask the contractor to explain what happens from beginning to end. Does the proposal include the removal of the existing materials? Disposal? Installation? Interior or exterior trim work? Flashing and sealing? Hardware? Cleanup? Permits when required? Touch-up work? What happens if hidden damage is discovered after the old product is removed?

And most importantly: What could cause the final price to change? You want to understand that before the project starts, not halfway through it.

How to Compare Products Without Getting Overwhelmed

Shopping for windows, doors, and siding can get confusing quickly. One manufacturer may emphasize its frame material. Another talks about glass. Another promotes its warranty. Contractors may use completely different terminology.

Don't try to become a window, door, or siding expert overnight.

Instead, make each contractor help you compare the same basic things.

This is particularly useful with windows and doors because manufacturers frequently offer multiple product lines at different prices and performance levels. The comparison chart in Pella's homeowner guide, for example, separates its window and patio-door collections by material, price range, features, and available styles rather than treating every Pella product as equivalent. That's exactly how homeowners should approach competing estimates.

Don't Compare the Price Until You Know You're Comparing the Same Thing

Imagine Contractor A quotes $18,000and Contractor B quotes $21,000.

It's tempting to say Contractor A is $3,000 cheaper. But what if Contractor B is quoting a different product line, upgraded glass, better hardware, additional exterior finishing, removal and disposal, and a stronger installation warranty? Those aren't really competing $18,000 and $21,000 bids anymore.

First, compare the products. Then compare the installation. Then compare the warranties. Finally, compare the price. That will tell you much more about which contractor is actually offering the better value.

A Good Contractor Should Help You Make a Good Decision

You shouldn't feel pressured to understand every technical specification yourself.

A good exterior contractor should be able to explain what they're recommending, why they're recommending it, what alternatives you have, and where your money is going in language that makes sense.

Ask questions. Compare the details. Get important promises in writing. And choose the company you trust to do the job correctly, not simply the company that gave you the lowest number.

Protect Your Colorado Home with an Exterior Built to Last

Build Pro Exteriors serves homeowners throughout the Colorado Foothills and communities north to Windsor. Whether you're replacing aging windows, doors, or siding, our team can help you understand your options, compare products, and choose the right solution for your home.

Call Build Pro Exteriors at 719-284-5390 today to schedule an appointment or email [email protected].

Windows • Doors • Siding | Built for Colorado Homes