What is the full name and address of the company?

Getting the complete address of the company can be an important factor in determining a company's time in business. If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well.

Try to hire a contractor that has an office nearby. The likelihood of better service and quicker response time is greater if the company is based near your home.

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Does the company carry insurance?

A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to protect you in the event of an accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor's certificates of insurance for both workers' compensation and general liability. Let the contractor know you want current certificates sent to you by the insurer before the job is started.

Contractors may make bland assurances of coverage that, in reality, refer to other kinds of insurance such as health, life, or auto insurance. Don't be confused. Ask specifically for proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage.

Be aware that if a worker is injured on your property, you, as a homeowner, might be held liable for all costs unless the employee is covered by workers' compensation insurance. Hospital bills for serious accidents can be extraordinarily expensive.

Contractors who carry insurance and follow safety guidelines generally endure higher job overhead costs. These expenses could be the cause of price variations between contractors who follow the standards versus those who ignore them. Those who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper, but you have to ask yourself if hiring them is worth the risk.

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Is the company licensed?

When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city.

Not all states require contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then he might have had to pass a written examination in his specialty, although few states make this a requirement. A number of cities also require professional licensing. check with your local licensing authority for details.

A contractor may also answer this question by telling you he has a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor's competence.

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More importantly, is the company credentialed?

There are a variety of programs for professional contractors that establish their credentials as knowledgeable installers of vinyl siding.

One organization that is particularly helpful in separating the more dedicated contractors from their less professional counterparts in the Vinyl Siding Institute, or VSI. VSI is the national trade association for manufacturers of vinyl siding products and offers rigid certification programs. A national list of VSI certified contractors and installers is published at www.vinylsiding.org.

In addition, CertainTeed has established a new standard of excellence for siding contractors ― the CertainTeed 5-Star Contractor Program. To be certified as a 5-Star Master Craftsman, installers must complete and pass our Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman test and our Restoration Millwork Master Craftsman test in addition to the VSI Certified Installer course. Those who achieve this certification have received the highest level of training on CertainTeed Vinyl Siding and Restoration Millwork Products. Only the best and brightest receive this special designation. For a list of 5-Star Contractors, please visit www.certainteed.com

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How long has the company been in business?

Needless to say, longer is usually better. Less than three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve.


On the other hand, everybody has to start somewhere. References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.

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Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs?

Ask for photos of completed work, and request a list of 10 names and phone numbers of customers contracted within the past 12 months. It is not necessary to call each one, but having a list of 10 will allow you to pick randomly.

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What is the company's workmanship warranty?

Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not necessarily more valuable then short ones. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the contractor to stand behind his warranty. That is best evaluated using customer referrals. Ask his customers specifically about these four things.

  a) Did he perform his work on a timely basis?
  b) Was he responsive when asked for information and changes?
  c) Did he act as if he cared about your interests?
  d) And finally, would you call the company trustworthy?

The contractor warrants his workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warrants the siding material against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover your siding project ― understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer's warranty pertaining to the specific products you are considering. CertainTeed Vinyl Siding warranties are available online at www.certainteed.com.

Usually, problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the contractor or manufacturer is more important then the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty. Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable contractor usually will want to stand behind his work.

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What is the company's track record for solving customer complaints?

In order to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise, request a referral from a job that involved a complaint. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if his contractors license has ever been suspended and why.

Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been files against the contractors whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time has been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, to test your contractor's reputation.

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How do I select a Replacement Window Company?

You are about to make a very important decision. Your home is your most valuable asset and the selection of a qualified company is of vital importance. If a quality product and a reputable company is chosen the first time, most people will replace their windows only once. By taking the time to answer these important questions, you can rest assured you have made the best decision regarding your home's new windows.

  1) How long has the company been in business?
  2) Is the company locally owned and operated?
  3) Does the company  install windows on a full time - year round basis?
  4) Where are the windows made?
  5) How long has the brand being recommended been carried?
  6) Does the company have factory trained technicians and parts available to service their
       windows?
   7) Will the sales representatives shoe samples, make suggestions, and provide effective
        solutions to your window needs in writing?
   8) Can the company provide examples of their work?
   9) Can the company provide homeowner references?
 10) Does the company provide a complete written warranty on their products and
        workmanship?
 11) Is the company complying with state and local licensing laws - including building code
        requirements?
 12) Is the company insured for liability and workman's compensation?

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Is the Vinyl in Rusco Vinyl Windows the same as everyone else's?

No. Not all vinyl (PVC) window products are alike! Nor are all vinyl window extrusions/formulas equal, either. All of Rusco's vinyl window extrusions come from Chelsea Building Products. Chelsea's advanced proprietary compound formula represent the best in vinyl products. Other ordinary PVC products may "skimp" on ingredients or use low-quality additives or formulations to deliver a low price vinyl. Unfortunately, this also tends to deliver a lower quality vinyl product that does not perform well over time. At Chelsea, their TQM (total quality management) program and SPC (statistical process control) program ensure that every segment of the product and its manufacturing is right. You can trust the quality of windows made by Rusco from Chelsea vinyl extrusions.

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What is "Virgin Vinyl"?

Virgin vinyl is the term applied to vinyl that is extruded for the first time. Regrind is the term given to vinyl that has been extruded, then the parts are ground up into small "pellets" and can be re-extruded. The implications is that "virgin vinyl" is purer or superior to reground vinyl. As a thermo plastic, PVC can be reprocessed, typically, around three times with little degradation to the compound. After that, additional processing "uses up" some of the lubricants and other additives that are used in the extrusion process. Rusco's frames, sashes, and other major window parts are extruded from virgin vinyl.

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What is Fusion Welding?

Many of today's vinyl window and door products feature fusion welded corner construction. Quite simply, it is the process of mitering the corners, heating them to above 200° f and bringing the heated corners into contact until they fuse together, forming an exceptionally strong joint and a permanently sealed corner that can't leak air or water.

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What kind of maintenance do Vinyl Windows require?

Vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free, requiring no finishing upon installation and no periodic painting or sealing like wood or metal windows. They also can't rot, rust, pit, or corrode like wood or metal products and are unaffected by moisture, salt air, pollution, and airborne chemicals. If they ever require cleaning, simply wiping with a damp cloth is sufficient to return them to their "Factory Fresh" condition.

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Are Vinyl windows a smart choice? Earth friendly? Safe?

Yes. Vinyl windows and doors are a very smart choice. Less than one half of vinyl's weight is dependant on natural resources. Vinyl windows require only one-third of the energy needed to manufacture aluminum windows. Vinyl windows help conserve energy and reduce home heating and cooling costs, and because vinyl windows and doors do not require painting or finishing, homeowners avoid vapor emissions, cleanup, and disposal problems associated with frequent application of certain paints and stains.

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I have moisture collecting on my windows. Does this qualify as a defective window?

No, not at all. Condensation is the most common form of dampness encountered in homes. in homes the internal air can have a high level of relative humidity due to the activity of the occupants (e.g. cooking, drying clothes, showers, and even breathing). When this air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as windows and cold walls it can condense, causing dampness. Older less efficient windows like single pane, aluminum frame, or even lower glass thickness and improper spacers used can increase the amount visible on windows. If you replace your windows with a high quality vinyl window and still notice an abundance of moisture collecting on the glass, you could potentially have a humidity problem in your home. You can decrease the amount of humidity several ways. By turning on exhaust fans or opening a window while cooking or taking showers are a couple of no cost ways. If it's determined that you have a serious issue a dehumidifier may be a route to go. Having a small amount at the bottom corners of your windows when there is a drastic temperature change from the inside and outside air is completely normal. Usually you will only notice this early in the morning. By choosing a window with the best technology in spacer systems can reduce the amount of condensation formed drastically.

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What is the warranty on the products used on my home? What about workmanship warranty?

Most manufacturers have a limited lifetime warranty. Depending on the product it could be a pro-rated warranty or limited to a set amount of years. We give a written warranty with each product we carry. They may also be requested for viewing before you decide to buy. We also supply each customer with a written one year labor warranty.

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