Key Takeaways
- Common window company scams include high-pressure sales tactics and bait-and-switch pricing.
- Verify a company’s license and insurance, and thoroughly review contracts before signing.
- Ask contractors whether subcontractors will be installing your windows and what’s included in the contract.
Window replacement is a big investment, and unfortunately, it’s also a prime target for scams. Through tactics such as persistent sales pitches and fake energy-saving claims, shady contractors often use pressure and confusion to push homeowners into rushed decisions.
You might get an unexpected door knock or phone call offering a “limited-time deal,” but these offers often come with hidden fees, unlicensed crews, or low-quality materials. If you’re not careful, you could end up with poor workmanship, voided warranties, or worse — a contractor who disappears after collecting a large deposit.
In this guide, we’ll show you the most common window replacement scams, how to spot red flags early, and how to confidently hire a contractor you can trust.
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Common Window Replacement Scams
Window replacement scammers often employ a set of common tactics that involve creating a sense of urgency, confusion, and misinformation to pressure homeowners into signing contracts and paying for subpar services. Keep your eye out for the following common window replacement scams.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
One of the most obvious signs of a scammer is the use of high-pressure sales tactics.
“The most common window company scam is when they call, text, or email you continuously or solicit you at your home and demand an appointment,” said Joe Marchionni, owner of Amity Home Maintenance Solutions in Branford, Connecticut. “Extreme discounts and an immediate deposit are red flags.”
Watch out for the following tactics:
- Knocking on your door announced to catch you off guard and unprepared
- In-home sales presentation appointments
- Pressuring both homeowners into the same room
- Offering limited-time deals that are only available if you sign immediately
- “Neighborhood discounts,” where they inform you that they’re working on other projects in the area
- “Buy X, get X free” offers related to treatments or warranties
- “Model home” programs, where you get a discount to help them show their work to your neighbors
- A fake “damage diagnosis” where the homeowner is led to believe that they have an urgent problem with their current windows that requires an immediate decision
These tactics capitalize on natural anxieties. When deals seem temporary, homeowners may worry they’ll end up paying too much later. However, new windows are a huge purchase, and you should take your time to compare quotes and options from multiple contractors.
Furthermore, any discounts offered are usually just the standard price. If scammers offer free extras, they’ll usually tack hidden fees onto your final bill.
Fake Energy Savings Claims
If you’re looking for new windows to help improve your home’s efficiency, you’ll need to choose quality products that are suited to your local climate and environment. Many scam window companies promise drastic energy savings, inflating claims about window efficiency to lure customers into choosing inferior products at premium prices.
Don’t take the word of door-to-door salespeople or unvetted contractors. Verify that the windows you purchase carry ENERGY STAR certification, and look up current federal energy incentive programs on legitimate government websites.
Unlicensed or Uninsured Contractors
If you hire a window company without proper licenses, certifications, and insurance coverage, you risk poor workmanship, code violations, and safety hazards. If something goes wrong with your installation, you may not be able to make an insurance or warranty claim.
You’ll also have little legal recourse to correct problems without additional costs. The company may be impossible to track down, leaving you to deal with post-installation issues on your own.
Home service providers should be able to provide a license number that you can look up in your state or local database to confirm their legitimacy. Always verify the license and insurance coverage of any service provider you work with before signing a contract.
Large Upfront Payments
Down payments are common in home improvement projects. However, if a window contractor asks for a large down payment — or worse, a full upfront payment — this is a scam. There is a strong risk that they will either never show up to complete the job, or they’ll use low-quality materials and improper installation techniques that you won’t have the power to dispute.
A reputable contractor will never ask for a down payment of more than 50%, although the typical down payment for a window replacement is no more than 20% of the total project cost.
Bait-and-Switch Pricing
Even if you’re buying windows on a budget, be wary of low prices. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will often provide a low initial quote, then inflate the cost with hidden fees after the homeowner has already signed. Unexpected cost increases can arise in the form of labor or delivery fees, as well as necessary upgrades.
Insist on a detailed written quote with line-item costs for materials, installation labor, the specific window product being installed, warranty costs and terms, and a clear completion date. Read through the entire contract carefully before signing and ensure you know what you and your contractor will each be responsible for if something goes wrong. Before paying, ensure your bill doesn’t include unexplained items that the original quote didn’t account for.
Shoddy Installations From “Subcrews”
Many window companies hire subcontractors. While this doesn’t necessarily mean a company is a scam, you should be aware of exactly who will be installing your windows, when the installation will occur, and what protections you have in place if something goes wrong. Subcontractors may lack experience, cut corners, or miss deadlines.
Improperly installed windows can increase energy loss, void warranties, and create the potential for costly window repairs that you may ultimately be responsible for. If a problem occurs with subcontractors, you want a contract with workmanship guarantees and provisions for recourse from the company that hired them.
How To Avoid Window Contractor Scams
The following tips can help you protect yourself from potential window contractor scams:
- Get at least three quotes: Never hire a contractor on the spot. Compare prices, work timelines, and overall professionalism from multiple companies. Get a sense of the average window replacement cost in your area to avoid suspiciously high or low prices.
- Check licenses, insurance, and BBB ratings: Consult your local building authority, department of consumer protection, or an official online database to confirm the validity of each contractor’s state license. Look for company responses and unresolved complaints on popular review websites.
- Read the contract carefully: Be thorough and understand each line item, the cancellation terms, payment schedule, and warranty coverage you’re signing for.
- Look for local references: Prioritize companies with verified reviews and local references. Ask for the contact information of at least three references to verify their legitimacy and ask questions about working with each company.
- Avoid door-to-door solicitations: Reputable window replacement companies do not engage in door-to-door sales. Be especially wary of door knocks immediately after storms or of “neighborhood deals” you receive in your mailbox.
- Get an adequate warranty: Avoid short warranty terms and understand what factors void a warranty. Your window warranty should cover labor and parts for at least 10 years.
- Don’t pay upfront: A down payment should never cover the entire cost of an installation. Reputable companies usually ask for 20% down, and never more than 50%.
- Trust your gut: If you get a bad feeling from a salesperson, don’t be afraid to look for windows elsewhere. If you have trouble contacting a representative or feel that they use high-pressure sales tactics, they may be a scammer or at least unreliable.
Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Window Company
Don’t allow a window salesperson to take over the conversation. Instead, vet every window contractor you talk to by asking the following specific questions. If they give poor answers or attempt to avoid the questions altogether, you’ll know they’re not the right fit.
- Can you provide proof of licensing and insurance?
- How long have you been in the window installation business?
- What window brands do you install and why?
- Who will be doing the installation — your employees or subcontractors?
- If you subcontract, will someone from your company be on-site during installation?
- What’s included in this quote? What’s not?
- What are your payment terms?
- How long will the installation take from ordering to completion?
- Will you finish the interior of the windows after installation? How?
- What types of warranties do you offer, and what is covered?
- What is the process for me to handle post-installation service issues if they arise?
- Can I see your customer reviews or recent local projects you’ve completed?
- Do you offer free estimates?
Next Steps
Most window companies are reputable and will readily supply their licensing information. However, you should suspect a window replacement scam whenever tactics such as urgency, emotional appeals, and unclear pricing are involved. Walk away when a deal seems too good to be true, or when you feel rushed to make a decision.
“Avoid contact or block the associated phone numbers or email addresses,” Marchionni said. “Control the presenter by limiting the time in your home.”
If you’re in need of window replacement and searching for a reliable, quality provider, start by researching several local companies and getting multiple quotes to compare before committing to one. Ask plenty of specific questions and expect clear answers in response. Companies that dodge your questions will likely be difficult to work with.
FAQs About Window Company Scams
Is it normal to pay a window company upfront?
No, it is not normal to pay a window company upfront for the full amount of the estimated total cost. It is normal practice for window installers to ask for a down payment of about 20% of the total, although some companies may ask for as much as half.
If a window company asks you to pay the full amount for a window installation upfront, it may be a scam. There is a chance that you pay the company and they never complete your installation, or they do a shoddy job with low-quality materials and labor.
Can I get out of a contract I signed under pressure?
You can get out of a contract you signed under pressure in some states, but the laws vary by state. In many states, you cannot get out of a contract simply because you signed under pressure, but there are exceptions.
You may have a cooling-off period during which you can legally cancel. If you can provide evidence of coercion, misrepresentation, or breach of contract, you may also have grounds to take legal action or void the contract.
To determine whether you can get out of a specific contract, read it carefully and see if the terms and conditions allow. Contact your state’s attorney general’s office or look online for specific info about contract termination in your state or local jurisdiction. If necessary, consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your rights.
How do I check if a window company is legitimate?
To check if a window company is legitimate, ask for the company’s license number and proof of insurance. You can verify the license number with your state or local license database either online or by calling the building authority in your area.
You can also ask the company for references and examples of past work. Contact the references to speak to customers who have worked with the company before and ask them specific questions about those experiences.
Should I hire a company that knocked on my door?
Whether or not you should hire a company that knocked on your door depends on certain factors. Never hire the first company that knocks without getting quotes from multiple other providers to compare prices and terms.
If the company uses high-pressure sales tactics such as offers that you must sign for immediately, this is a red flag that the company may be a scam. These companies often knock immediately after storms and try to entice people with special offers.
