Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Seattle, WA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in Seattle?

Individuals and businesses that wish to offer window installation, replacement, and repair services in Seattle are required to register at the state level with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Window contractors that violate this registration requirement are considered guilty of committing a gross misdemeanor offense and can face statutory penalties that include fines of up to $5,000, jail time of up to 12 months, or a combination of both.

The Department of Labor and Industries offers two contractor registration classifications to interested parties, namely:

• General Contractor: individuals who register as general contractors can perform most types of construction work and can also hire multiple specialty contractors as subcontractors
• Specialty Contractor: individuals who register as specialty contractors can only work in the specific area or specialty under which they register. The L&I currently offers 63 specialties, including options for window awnings, exterior screens, and window coverings installation and repair

Contractors in Seattle that wish to register with the Department of Labor and Industries may do so by completing and submitting an Application for Contractor Registration Form in person at the department's local office located at:

Registrants are advised to schedule appointments with this office online or by calling (206) 515-2800 to avoid long wait times. Registrants will also be required to provide certain additional documentation along with the completed application form when visiting this office. These include:

• Business registration and a UBI number obtained from the Washington State Department of Revenue
• Proof of acceptable general liability insurance and bonding
• Stipulated registration fees

Registrants that do not wish to complete the registration process in person have the option of submitting their completed and notarized application forms along with all necessary documentation and fees to the L&I via mail-in to:

You can get additional information on the registration process for Seattle window contractors by contacting the L&I via email or by calling either toll-free number 1-800-647-0982 or (360) 902-5226 and selecting option two. You can also verify that any window contractor you intend to hire in the city has fulfilled the state-mandated registration requirements by utilizing the department's Verify a Contractor platform.

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

Finding out how much your preferred window contractors charge for their services before any window repair, installation, or replacement work commences in your home helps prevent unnecessary and avoidable misunderstandings with them down the road. Window contractors in Seattle typically take several factors into account when calculating the costs of their services, such as:

• The number of windows to be repaired, installed, or replaced
• The style and design of the windows
• The location of the windows
• The glass type and window frame material
• The window size
• Your location within the city
• The complexity and labor intensity of the job
• The contractor's local reputation and level of experience
• Additional services like window tinting, glazing, surrounding wall repairs, and disposal of removed window

You should always get and compare rates and quotes for your window projects from at least three different contractors in the city before selecting one best suited to your budget. This way, you can get a fair assessment of the project's estimated cost and also avoid getting scammed by contractors who fraudulently overcharge for their services. Note that you should never automatically hire the contractor with the lowest quote, especially if their rates are significantly lower than the others. Request an explanation for this marked cost difference, and be cautious if they cannot offer a reasonable explanation for their rates. You should also be suspicious of contractors who are quick to submit quotes and commence work without evaluating or assessing the site properly.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in Seattle earn approximately $53,640 every year. Listed below are the average hourly wages for Seattle window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of Washington 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?

A permit is usually required for work that involves the construction, alteration, and remodeling of buildings and structures in Seattle. This includes new window installations and existing window replacements. These permits are issued by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), and failure to obtain one before commencing your project can result in fines of up to $500 per day. However, permit exemptions are made for work that falls under the following criteria:

• Minor repairs or alterations that do not cost more than $6,000, including labor and materials costs, within any six-month period. Note that this exemption does not extend to work that involves or may affect a building's envelope, its load-bearing supports, or work that may reduce a building's egress, light, ventilation, or fire resistance, regardless of the project's total cost.
• Miscellaneous work that involves limited in-kind repairs or similar replacements for deteriorated parts of a structure
• Work involving one-story detached accessory buildings with projected roof areas of less than 120 square feet and building foundations that solely consist of a slab on the ground
• Work involving window awnings that are supported by an exterior wall and do not project more than 54 inches

It is important to note that a permit must always be obtained for buildings and structures that are located in the city's Environmentally Critical Areas, regardless of the nature and scope of the work that is to be done.

Parties that wish to obtain permits from the SDCI may submit applications to the department online via the Seattle Services Portal, and first-time applicants will have to create a user account on the portal before they can do this. Other steps that typically have to be taken before permits can be obtained from the SDCI include:

• Determining all necessary construction, land use, and zoning restrictions and requirements that may apply to the project. This can be done by utilizing a GIS map and other property information resources the department provides.
• Preparing all necessary site plans and additional documentation. The specific documentation that may be required primarily depends on the nature and scope of the project.

Applicants who successfully complete these steps and have all their submitted documents reviewed and approved by the SDCI will be required to pay a stipulated fee. After that, they can print the approved permit and plans for their intended projects. Note that the SDCI exercises the authority to inspect all building and construction projects that take place in Seattle, whether or not a permit was issued for the project.

You can get additional information on the permitting and inspection process and requirements for window installation and projects in the city by contacting the SDCI at:

Queries can also be directed to the department's Applicant Service Center via phone (206) 684-8850 or online.

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

Professional window contractors in the Seattle area typically offer several types of services to homeowners and other interested parties. These services include window installation for new construction, old window upgrades and replacements, faulty and broken window repairs and restoration, and window maintenance services like caulking, tinting, and sealing. However, it is always important to verify that the contractor you intend to hire offers the specific types of services you require. In addition, you should ensure that the window contractor is experienced in providing these services over your preferred window style or design.

Some types of window styles and designs that are commonly found in buildings and properties across the Seattle area include:

• Picture windows
• Casement windows
• Bay windows
• Single-hung windows
• Awning windows
• Double-hung windows
• Horizontal sliding windows
• Bow windows
• Skylight windows
• Box windows
• Arch windows
• Special-shape windows
• Custom windows

These windows generally have unique features and characteristics that influence their operability and suitability for different rooms and homes. For example, horizontal sliding windows are relatively cost-effective, versatile, and easy to clean and operate. However, they are also less energy-efficient than other hinged windows and can accumulate dirt and grime in their sliding areas. On the other hand, while casement windows are generally more energy-efficient than sliding windows and easy to operate, they are also more susceptible to wear and tear and typically require more frequent repairs.

Confirming that your intended window contractor is equipped to handle your specific window needs reduces the chances of ending up with less-than-satisfactory work. When you also plan to undertake projects involving siding, roofing, and gutter repairs, replacements, or installations, you can go a step further to find out if your window contractor also offers these services or if they can recommend a professional that does.

Listed below are estimates for some common types of window repair, replacement, and installation services offered by professional window contractors in Seattle. Note that the actual cost of these services will be influenced by factors like the nature and scope of your required service, your location in the city, and your preferred contractor's reputation and experience:

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?

When searching for the right window contractor to handle your window installations and replacements in Seattle, the brand of windows that will be used for the job is an important criterion to consider. When selecting windows for your project, it is always a good idea to go for well-known brands that are tried and trusted locally, as they are generally made with high-quality and durable materials. Well-known brands also typically offer a wider variety of affordable and attractive styles and designs than lesser-known window brands.

Some well-known window brand manufacturers that homeowners and property managers commonly patronize for their window projects include:

• Andersen Windows and Doors
• Milgard Windows and Doors
• Ply Gem Windows
• Eagle Windows and Doors
• Lindal Windows
• Marlin Windows
• Simonton Windows and Doors
• Windorco Supply Inc
• Marvin Windows and Doors
• Pella Windows and Doors
• Comfort Design Windows and Doors
• Cascade Windows
• Champion Windows
• Jeld Wen Windows
• Alside Excalibur
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Windsor Windows and Doors
• Eurowind
• Weather Shield Windows and Doors
• Prime Windows
• Stile Windows and Doors
• Coeur D'Alene Windows
• VPI Quality Windows

When considering the best window brand, style, and design for your installation or replacement project, you should always pay attention to the following features before making your choice:

• Aesthetic appeal
• Affordability
• Compatibility with your home's interior and exterior
• Ease of operation and maintenance
• Energy-efficiency
• Safety and security
• Ventilation
• Warranties

Regarding warranties, many window brand manufacturers typically offer what is known as a "Limited Lifetime Warranty," which covers performance and aesthetic defects on the window for a specified timeframe. Some manufacturers may offer other options, such as Lifetime Warranties, Double Lifetime Warranties, Prorated Warranties, and Transferable Warranties. Note that the specific areas of coverage provided by these warranties and the length of this coverage are usually determined by the product manufacturer.

As such, you should always find out the warranty options made available by your preferred window brand manufacturer and pay special attention to the specific terms and conditions of these warranties so that you do not end up voiding them. You should also ensure that your window contractor issues you a workmanship warranty for their installation or replacement services.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

The energy efficiency of your new windows should be a top consideration when planning window installation and replacement projects. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that windows are responsible for as much as 30 percent of the energy loss in homes. Left unchecked, these inefficient windows can cost you hundreds of dollars in utility bills annually. As such, even though energy costs in Seattle are relatively lower than those of other major cities in the country, installing energy-efficient windows in your home can further reduce your energy bills by up to $500 every year.

Installing energy-efficient windows in your home also provides fade protection for your valuables, increases indoor comfort, and qualifies you for local, state, and federal energy rebates, tax incentives, and home improvement financing options. You can find available residential and commercial energy rebates and financing programs for residents of Seattle by accessing the city's Home Energy Solutions and Energy Efficiency Program Tools and Resources webpages.

Other platforms where you can find available energy efficiency programs, rebates, tax incentives, and financing options include:

• The Washington State Energy Tips Rebates and Incentives webpage
• The US Department of Energy's Energy Star Rebate Finder webpage
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Window Replacement Contractors in Seattle?

Ensuring that the window contractor you hire to handle your window installation and replacement projects in Seattle is properly insured is of utmost importance. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that a total of 83 fatal work-related injuries occurred in Washington State in 2020, and more than 30 percent of these injuries were reported among construction, installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including window contractors. Failing to ensure that your window contractor is properly insured can not only make you liable for any injuries they incur on the job but also for any property damage that they directly or indirectly cause.

To this end, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries requires all contractors that register with it to purchase and maintain a general liability insurance policy of at least $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage or a combined single limit of $250,000. Contractors that register as General Contractors must also purchase and hold a Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond of $12,000, while those that register as Specialty Contractors must hold a bond of $6,000.

Always request proof of compliance with these insurance and bond requirements from your intended window contractor before they start any work in your home, and contact the relevant insurance and bond provider to validate this proof. You should also ensure the contractor's insurance coverage will be adequate for the scope of your project.

You can contact the state's Department of Labor and Industries at (360) 902-5226 or toll-free number 1-800-647-0982 to get more information on its mandatory insurance and bond requirements for window contractors that operate in Seattle.