how to find the best contractors

How to find the best contractors in your area

Finding the best contractors for your home improvement or remodeling project can be time consuming and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. Hardy Windows has some tips on how you can find the best contractors in your area.

1. Find a contractor that is licensed and insured. We recommend using a contractor who is properly licensed, bonded and insured. While it might be cheaper to go another route, it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with strangers at your home. Even though a contractor may have references from satisfied customers, they could also have a criminal history that would make them an unsafe person for you to do business with.

2. Ask for personal referrals – check out reviews online AND ask friends and family if they have any recommendations. The best references come from people you know and trust. Here are a few questions to ask your contractor’s former customers: How do you like working with this contractor? Do they return calls and emails promptly? What was their estimated price versus what you wound up paying at the end of the project, and why did it change? Did they arrive on time for appointments every day throughout the project, including weekends? Were there any unexpected surprises during construction (like additional costs)? It’s also a good idea to check online reviews before hiring someone. Look at review sites such as AngiesList or Yelp.

3. Make sure you hire someone who will be available when you need them (i.e., not on vacation). Scheduling can be a huge problem when hiring a contractor. Many homeowners have been burned because the contractor they chose went on vacation without telling them beforehand or stopped returning calls altogether after work began. Make sure to get the contact information of the key people you will be dealing with throughout the project and check often to make sure they are available to answer your questions.

4. Hire a contractor with good customer service skills. Use a contractor who communicates well and takes pride in their work, even if it’s a small job. Ask yourself: Does this person answer your questions promptly? Do they provide clear explanations about what needs to get done?

5. Get quotes from at least three contractors to see how their prices compare Hardy. Make sure you get a detailed estimate for exactly what the contractor will provide, including parts and labor costs. Get more than one quote so that you can compare prices and find out if there are other hidden fees or expenses associated with the project, such as “trip charges,” which happen when a company forces you to buy all materials from them.

Check the contractor’s portfolio of completed projects, including photos and testimonials from customers.  Check out the contractor’s work online. Look for a website or social media presence, or you can always ask to see a portfolio of commercial and residential projects they have worked on in the past which will give you a better idea of what your final product will look like.

We hope these tips will help you find the best professional for your project. Hardy is also here to answer any of your questions and help you learn more about home windows and doors before starting a new project. Give us a call today at (714) 996-1807.

Energy Saving Windows

How We Helped Our Community Save Millions

This shouldn’t come as a surprise: high temperatures result in high energy bills. 

Imagine… it’s July, the sun is beating down, your house is unbearable, and your only solace is cranking down the thermostat. Why wastefully blast the AC all summer when there is such an easy way to cut down how long you need to keep the air cranked?

Buying New windows.

The U.S department of Energy says you can save up to $583/year when you replace single-pane windows. 

Since double-pane windows last anywhere from 10 to 20 years means that you can potentially save up to $5,830-11,660 dollars on energy costs (not including gas bills); not to mention the fact that those same windows increase the value of your home or building in the process (click here to see our options.) 

This fact means that through the over 20,000 combined residences, apartments, offices, highrises, etc. we have helped, we will have potentially produced saved energy costs of 100 MILLION dollars or more over time; and the number Just. Keeps. Growing. 

The one reason that people don’t want to be involved in the millions of dollars we save our community over time is for one reason and one reason only…

People see a price-tag – not the wasted energy and heating bills they accrue over the years.

Look, we get it… people view window purchases as a daunting decision, but month in and month out those same people don’t consider the cost of their bills.

Investing in new windows, EVEN WITH the cost of financing (click here to see our options), is a drop in the bucket compared to the wasted energy savings that happens with outdated single-pane windows; especially when coupling the savings with the increase in home value.

With dual-pane windows that absorb and trap heat in pockets of gas in-between the panes, you can be apart of the savings. If you’re interested to see that seemingly off-putting price tag now that you know about how much you can save, click here to contact us for a free no-pressure estimate on your energy-saving windows & doors.

Hardy Windows: Angie’s List Super Service Award

Hardy Window Company has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016.

angies-list-logo-vectorThis achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Only a fraction of the Window & Door companies in Orange County were able to do it.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

“Attitude is Everything”  -Chance Hardyshowroom-17-875x360

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angie’s List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged – across all age groups – as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

“The biggest change at Angie’s List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals,” Hicks said. “And that’s good for everyone.”

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Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than 4.5 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals. 

Want to leave your own review? Check out our Angies’ List profile here! 

Hardy Windows Featured on GTSA: How to Choose Your Anaheim Windows

The GTSA E-Bulletin recently featured an article we wrote about window types and how they’re made. It’s important to know a few of the details about any investment that you  make – it is your hard-earned money after all! GTSA posts all sorts of articles about a wide variety of topics, from technology, to home care, to food, even spots and education. 

home-windows1-300x199“When choosing a window, it’s in a buyer’s best interests to know all about what they’re getting into. The composition of a window is critical to how it will fit with a home, business, or other building. While windows are often simply looked through, at first they could be easily overlooked in favor of other, more noticeable furnishings of a building. There are four major types of window-frame materials. They can affect maintenance costs, the visage of a building, as well as environmental impact.”

Want to read more? Click here to read the full article titled: Wood, Metal or Fiber – Choosing the Right Material for Your Orange County Windows!

Thinking about new windows for your home, business, or other building? We offer free estimates for your Anaheim windows, click here to explore all of your options with Hardy Windows!

The Benefits of Replacement Vinyl Windows

Five Benefits of Replacement Vinyl Windows

  1. Add beauty to your home
  2. Improve energy efficiency
  3. Reduce noise pollution
  4. Easy to clean and long-lasting
  5. Increase the value of your home
You Deserve a Beautiful Home

Vinyl replacement windows are an elegant addition to any home. Our glass is high-quality, providing crisp, clear views out into the world. Our expert salesmen here at Hardy Window Company will help you pick out the best upgrades and design(s) that will fit perfectly in your home.

 
Are You Ready to Save On Your Energy Bills?

What’s better than adding beautiful replacement windows to your home? How about beautiful windows that could pay for themselves! Our windows are among the best energy-efficient windows on the market, which can end up saving you a lot of money on heating and cooling costs especially during the long, hot Southern California summers.

Low quality aluminum windows can sweat, oxidize and even shrink over time, causing leaks that let in the outside elements. That’s one of the reasons why your house can feel like a freezer in the winter and a sauna in the summer. Replacement vinyl windows help to keep warm air in the house during the winter and cool air in during the summer, lessening the need for heating and air conditioning.

Less energy usage means a smaller environmental footprint and energy savings in your pocket each month!

 
Say Goodbye to the Noise

After a hard day’s work, all you want to do is come home to a serene environment. Too bad the neighbor’s dog isn’t on the same page. Neither are the planes flying overhead, the car alarms nearby, or all the other noise pollution that you can’t seem to escape. Would you believe us if we told you that it’s possible to get free of all that racket? Our replacement windows have been shown to cut noise pollution. Who knew peace and quiet is just a window away!

 
Never Buy another Window Again

If you have read this far, it’s probably because you’re starting to seriously consider replacing your windows. You’d probably rather be doing a lot of other things over the next few months, so wouldn’t it be great if you never had to shop for windows again?

Low-quality aluminum windows typically last about ten years. Our manufacturer’s energy-efficient vinyl windows can go the distance, with each manufacturer honoring some sort of warranty to best serve you.

 
Increased Home Value

When you purchase replacement vinyl windows from us, you are truly making an investment in your home. Not only do these energy-efficient windows increase your comfort and look great, but they can help to increase the value of your home if you ever decide to sell in the future.

For a small upfront cost, you’ll be paid back in full on a number of levels when you choose our windows, which are the among the best replacement windows around!

Interested in learning more about replacement windows or doors?
Call us at 800-479-7759 or contact us!

Windows 101

Hardy Window Company values its customers and potential customers which is why we have compiled a few questions for homeowners and business owners to ask themselves and contractors before and while receiving bids on windows and doors. Here are our answers to the most vital questions.

 

    • Is the contractor licensed?
      Hardy Window Company has been licensed for over 20 years. CSLB #904342 is our license number.

 

    • Does the contractor have the proper insurances?
      Hardy Window Company maintains in full effect Workman’s Compensation, General Liability, and Commercial Auto Insurance policies. Please feel free to view all of our documents at the Documents tab on the website. We do not sub-contract any labor on our projects as Hardy Window Company employs all personnel on your job site.

 

    • How many years experience do you have?
      Hardy Window Company has been in business since 1989. That’s 25 years!

 

 

    • Are estimates free?
      Yes! Whether residential or commercial, our estimates are always free. We pride detailed proposals for all of your window and door needs.

 

    • What products do you carry?
      We carry over 30 different manufacturers of windows and doors. It’s safe to say that we are not limited in our product selection! If you want it, we can get it for you. From high-end to budget windows, we carry them all.

 

    • How long does it take to get windows?
      Lead times vary with different products. On average, our lead time is 3 to 4 weeks. Some of our manufacturers also have a Fast-Track program in which we can have your windows and/or doors ordered and installed in little as 3 days.

 

    • How long does the installation take?
      Typically it takes 1 day to install a full house of windows, sometimes 2. Our Field Superintendent organizes each project on a daily basis to put the correct amount of manpower on your project to streamline your window installation.

 

    • What is the warranty?
      Each manufacturer has a different warranty. You can find majority of the warranty details on the manufactures website and we can also assist you with any warranty questions you may have.

 

    • Do you have a service department?
      Hardy Windows has a full-time Service Department. If any warranty items or issues arise, Hardy Windows will send out a technician to evaluate the problem. We also try to schedule most services on the weekend so you don’t have to take time off work in order to get the warranty resolved.

 

    • Are your prices competitive?
      We are a no pressure type company! Our goal is to give you the most competitive pricing right from the start. We never inflate prices and then offer sales or discounts to sign a contract. Just as our homepage says, “We Will Beat Any Competitors Price” – guaranteed!

 

    • Are you a member of the BBB?
      Hardy Windows has been a member of the Better Business Bureau since 2001. We are one of the only window companies in Southern California with an A+ rating. For us to maintain an A+ rating for over 8 years shows people that we care about our clients and customers to the fullest extent.

 

Interested in replacing your windows and doors but not sure where to start?
Call us! 800-479-7759

Your Orange County Window and Door Experts

Your Orange County Window & Door Experts Since 1989

Opening our doors in 1989, we have provided quality window and door products to homeowners, contractors, and multifamily property owners for 25 years. Located in the heart of Anaheim, we are a licensed, insured contractor that strives to bring you quality windows and doors at the most competitive prices possible.

We offer a 15,000 square foot showroom so customers can come see product examples and get an idea of what will be installed in their home or other properties. We carry 30+ manufacturers of windows and doors ranging from low-budget to high-end. When you find something you want, we will work with you to get you the best and most competitive pricing.

Although some lead times can range about 3 to 4 weeks, we may be able to have it expedited and installed within 3 to 5 days depending on our manufacturer’s Fast Track program (varies by manufacturer – please inquire within). Installation typically takes 1 day, and we provide a Field Superintendent on each job to ensure that the correct manpower is placed on your project to get it completed. Warranties are provided on an individual basis depending on the manufacturer. If you run into any warranty issues, we will send out a technician to evaluate the problem and get it resolved.

Our staff takes pride in offering the best products and services to serve the greater Orange County and surrounding areas. The company is comprised of a seasoned and talented staff that sets us apart from other companies in our field. Every person is a professional dedicated to your satisfaction.

The top 4 reasons to select Hardy Window Company as your Orange County window and door professionals:

  1. Guaranteed Quality. Years of experience installing the industry’s highest quality products.
  2. Guaranteed Pricing. A detailed estimate that is easy to understand and clearly defines expected results.
  3. Guaranteed Results. We won’t be happy until you are. Down to the last details, the job isn’t complete until you’re totally satisfied.
  4. Value Engineering. With the variety of products we carry we are able to accommodate any budget.
We are here to provide you with the greatest quality windows and doors at a budget you can afford! For a free estimate, call our 24 hour line at 800-479-7759.