Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in New York City, NY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in New York City?

Making sure that the window replacement, repair, or installation contractor you hire has met all applicable regulatory requirements is the first step to take in determining their suitability for the job. Per Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 22 of the NYC Administrative Code, all individuals or businesses that provide home improvement-related services in New York City must possess a Home Improvement Contractor License issued by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Window contractors who wish to obtain this license are typically expected to provide proof of insurance, pay a licensing fee, pass a licensing exam, and meet other DCWP-determined eligibility requirements. Applications for home improvement contractor licenses can be made online or by contacting the DCWP at the following locations:

License application appointments can be scheduled with both of the aforementioned offices via phone number (212) 436-0441. Note that licensed window contractors who wish to provide services that require building permits will have to undergo a separate general contractor registration process with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). These contractors will equally have to meet DOB-determined eligibility requirements, which also include providing proof of general liability insurance, as well as being no less than 18 years old, and passing a background check. DOB general contractor registrations can also be completed online, and the department provides registrants with access to a user guide that can be utilized to navigate the registration process.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors who fail to either obtain a home improvement contractor license from the DCWP or register as general contractors with the DOB where necessary can face city-imposed sanctions. These include monetary fines of up to $25,000 and other civil and criminal penalties. You should always verify the licensing and registration status of window contractors in NYC before hiring them. This can be done online via the DCWP's online service portal and the DOB's registrant search portal. You can also direct inquiries concerning window replacement, repair, and installation contractor licensing and registration requirements and procedures to the DCWP and the DOB at (212) 639-9675 and (212) 393-2259, respectively.

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

Window installation, repair, and replacement costs in New York City are largely affected by variables like the type of window that is being installed, the window's location, and the labor intensity of the replacement or installation job. You should consider getting and comparing quotes from no less than three window contractors in the city before commencing the project to get a fair idea of what it would cost you. Note that it is usual to expect variations in the submitted quotes. However, you should be wary of any contractor submitting a quote significantly different from the rest, especially if this contractor cannot clearly explain the reason for this marked difference.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in New York City earn approximately $49,940 every year. Listed below are the hourly average wages for New York City window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of New York State as well as several other major cities in the United States:

Will You Get the Window Installation Permits as Required by the City Code?

Although permits are typically required for building alteration and repair projects in NYC, permit exemptions are made for certain types of window repairs, namely:

• The repair or replacement of window sills
• The replacement of existing windows provided that the window is not located on the lot line, does not require the modification of existing masonry openings and does not affect access to light or ventilation. In addition, the replacement must not change the windows' operable area.

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) is responsible for issuing permits for window replacements, repairs, and installations in the city, and it does this online via its DOB Now: Build Platform. Submitting construction plans and other additional forms and documents may be required when applying for these permits. Also, if the window replacement, repair, or installation project is to be carried out on buildings or landmarks located in the city's historic districts, then a separate permit may also be required from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Applications for LPC-issued window permits can be made by completing and submitting a signed appropriate application form along with relevant documentation to the department via email.

Queries concerning LPC-issued window replacement, repair, and installation permits can also be directed to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission at:

Similarly, inquiries concerning DOB-issued permits can be directed to the NYC Department of Buildings at (212) 566-5000 or by contacting this department's office in the borough where the project in question is located:

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

Finding out the types of services that a window contractor provides is another key factor to consider in determining their suitability for your project. Window contractors in NYC generally offer a wide range of services, which include:

• New window installations
• Faulty/cracked window repairs and replacements
• Window maintenance services, such as window caulking and sealing

However, many of these contractors typically specialize in specific window types and technologies. Some common window types used in NYC buildings include:

• Single Hung Windows
• Double Hung Windows
• Arched Windows
• Awning Windows
• Bay Windows
• Bow Windows
• Casement Windows
• Egress Windows
• Garden Windows
• Glass Block Windows
• Hopper Windows
• Jalousie Windows
• Picture Windows
• Round Circle Windows
• Sliding Windows
• Storm Windows
• Transom Windows
• Tilt-turn Windows
• Glider Windows
• Fixed Windows
• Skylight Windows

These windows each have different operating styles and benefits. For example, awning windows are hinged from the top and open outwards, while hopper windows are hinged from the bottom and open inwards. Both of these window types do not open fully. Nonetheless, they can be used in rooms that require ventilation and cooling. On the other hand, fixed windows are typically installed solely for aesthetic purposes and do not open at all. As such, you should always ensure that the window replacement contractor you hire has the proper skill set to work with your preferred window type.

It is also a good idea to find out if the window contractor provides additional services, such as siding, gutter, insulation, and roofing installation, as well as how much these services would cost you. Some cost estimates for window installation, replacement, and related services in NYC are listed below:

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?

While it is essential to confirm the types of services your window contractor offers, it is equally important to find out the types of window brands they specialize in. Doing this goes a long way in ensuring that your window installation or replacement job is handled satisfactorily. Some common window brand manufacturers favored by home and property owners in NYC include:

• Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd.
• Skyline Windows
• Pella Windows and Doors of New York
• Harvey Building Products
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Andersen Windows
• Jeld Wen Windows
• John Kat Windows and Doors
• Adler Windows
• Marvin Windows
• Milgard Windows
• Simonton Windows
• Alside Windows
• Ply Gem Windows
• Loewen Windows

It is always a good idea to go with well-known window brands to replace your old windows or install new ones in your home. These brands are usually tried and trusted locally, made with high-quality materials, and come in various attractive and affordable styles. However, when deciding on the brand of the window to use for your window installation or replacement job, you should always ask for a warranty and discuss the following features with your window contractor before making your final selection:

• Security and safety
• Ease of cleaning
• Ventilation
• Climate control
• Compatibility with your home's interior and exterior finishes

When it comes to warranty, window manufacturers offer two common types of warranties: a lifetime warranty and a limited lifetime warranty. In addition to these types of warranties, a warrant may be prorated or non-prorated, transferrable or non-transferred.

• Limited Lifetime Warranty: A limited lifetime warranty is the most common type of window warranty and lasts only the length of time stipulated by the manufacturer as the "lifetime" of the window - a period during which the window is expected to maintain maximum quality. Typically, the manufacturer primarily offers this warranty to cover aesthetic and performance defects. Note this warranty only applies to the window parts - not the labor or service.
• Lifetime Warranty: On the other hand, a lifetime warranty covers all replacement parts. However, the term "lifetime" should not be confused with the homeowner's lifetime. It signifies the valid period determined by the manufacturer for the window to maintain its maximum quality.
• Double Lifetime Warranty: As a homeowner replacing some windows, you can also ask for a double lifetime warranty. This is a more robust type of warranty. It offers coverage for as long as the home is owned and can be transferred to the next homeowner in most cases.
• Prorated Warranty: When discussing your lifetime or limited lifetime warranty, you can also opt for a prorated warranty. This covers a steadily decreasing percentage of repair or replacement part costs over the years of usage. In the later years, the homeowner gets to pay more for repairs or replacements out of pocket.
• Transferable Warranty: Some warranties are transferrable, meaning the coverage can be passed on to an incoming homeowner. This type of warranty can help preserve the value added to your home by a window upgrade.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for up to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use. Hence, energy-efficient windows should be a top consideration when replacing old windows or installing windows for a new home. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that installing energy-efficient windows could save you up to $500 a year.

Besides lowering your monthly energy bills, an investment in new efficient windows may qualify you for federal or state financing, state or local rebates, and tax incentives, depending on your jurisdiction. These financing options and rebates help reduce the presumed huge cost of installing energy-efficient windows. The State of New York offers similar financing through its Home Energy Efficiency Programs. Visit the website of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to determine your eligibility for up to a 50 percent discount on the cost of installing new energy-efficient windows.

Also, visit the website of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) to find any relevant window program available in your area. DSIRE maintains a comprehensive list of incentive programs offered by state and local governments and utility companies across the U.S. Similarly, you can use the Energy Star Rebate Finder to discover rebates and other offers available in your city for ENERGY STAR-certified products.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in New York City?

Window replacement contractors face several on-the-job hazards, such as cuts, lacerations, and falls from heights. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips accounted for 24 of the 91 work-related fatalities recorded in New York City in 2019, making this the top cause of death amongst workers in the city that year. Hiring an insured window replacement contractor insulates you from having to bear the costs of these injuries and also provides you cover for other work-related risks such as property damage and possible lawsuits.

Always request proof of insurance from your intended window replacement contractor and validate this proof with the appropriate issuing organization before finalizing any hiring arrangements with this individual. Note that window replacement contractors in New York City that have been licensed and registered by the city's DCWP and DOB must maintain workers' compensation insurance as well as general liability insurance to the tune of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. These contractors are also required to carry employee disability insurance where applicable. You can contact the NYC Department of Buildings at (212) 566-5000 to get additional information on the city's mandatory insurance requirements for window replacement contractors.