Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Philadelphia, PA

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

The regulation of window contractors that wish to operate in Philadelphia is handled at both the state and local levels.

At the state level, per the provisions of the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, contractors that offer any home improvement service worth more than $500 in Philadelphia must complete a registration process with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Parties that fail to do this can face criminal and civil penalties, including fines of $1,000 or more. However, registration exemptions are made for contractors that provide services with a total value that is less than $5,000 during the previous taxable year.

Home improvement contractor registration with the state's Attorney General's Office can be done online or by completing and mailing a Home Improvement Contractor Registration Application Form to:

Note that online applicants will be required to create a user account before submitting their applications. All applicants will also be required to pay a non-refundable registration fee, submit proof of insurance, and provide any documentation that the office may deem pertinent at the time of registration. Inquiries concerning the Pennsylvania home improvement contractor registration process can be directed to (717) 772-2425.

At the local level, individuals or businesses that wish to offer services that involve construction, demolition, or repair in Philadelphia must obtain a city-issued contractor license from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. Note that window contractors who work solely on one or two-family dwellings in the city and have been registered at the state level do not need to obtain this license. However, they must submit proof of their state-level home improvement contractor registration to the department.

Window contractors that wish to obtain city-issued contractor licenses or submit as PA home improvement contractors to the Department of Licenses and Inspections may do so online via the city's eCLIPSE system or in person at:

In-person applicants will have to schedule an appointment before visiting the department, where they may be required to complete and submit an Application for Contractor License Form. Also, all applicants are expected to meet certain eligibility requirements before obtaining their contractor licenses or submitting as state-registered home improvement contractors. These include:

• Obtaining a commercial activity license
• Providing proof of compliance with local tax obligations
• Proving proof of acceptable insurance coverage
• Complying with locally mandated contractor safety training and operational requirements
• Paying all stipulated fees

Inquiries concerning local contractor licensing requirements for window contractors in Philadelphia can be directed to the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections online or by calling 311 or (215) 686-8686 for callers outside Philadelphia.

You can also confirm your window contractor's local licensing and state registration status via the Contractor Lookup and Home Improvement Contractor Search portals provided by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, respectively.

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

The cost of window repair, installation, or replacement projects in Philadelphia is affected by several variables, such as:

• The number of windows involved
• Accessibility to the windows
• The size of these windows
• The window style and design
• The window frame material
• The glass type
• Your preferred window contractor's experience and reputation
• Your location within the city
• The complexity of the job
• Miscellaneous charges, such as repair work to walls around the window and disposal of old windows

When planning to carry out window projects in the city, it is always a good idea to get cost estimates for your project from several contractors before making your final selection. Comparing these estimates can help you accurately assess your project's total cost and prevent you from being overcharged by dishonest window contractors. However, you should be wary of contractors who are quick to offer estimates for the project without properly evaluating your home or the precise location of the job. Also, make sure that the contractors you ask for cost estimates are given the same information about the project, watch out for estimates significantly different from the rest, and do not hire contractors that cannot reasonably explain any noticeable price differences in their estimates.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in Philadelphia earn approximately $49,770 every year. Listed below are the hourly average wages for Philadelphia window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of Pennsylvania as well as several other major cities in the United States:

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

Building permits are required for new construction projects and projects that involve modifying or altering existing buildings and structures in Philadelphia, including window installations and replacements. However, permit exemptions may be made for window replacements in one or two-family dwellings as long as the property in question is not on the Philadelphia Historic Registry.

Philadelphia building permits can be obtained from the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections, and this department issues the following types of permits:

• EZ Permits: these are issued for construction and renovation projects that do not require the submission of project plans. These include interior and non-structural alterations to single-family residences and exterior window and door replacement with no change in size.
• Zoning Permits: these are approvals that are usually required before the commencement of most building and construction projects in the city. However, you will not need a zoning permit for your window project as long as the proposed work does not alter the height, area, floor area, or legal use of your building
• Combination Permits: these are issued to streamline the city's permitting process by allowing applicants to include trade work in their building permit applications. Combination permits are mandatory for one and two-family residence new constructions but are optional for alterations or additions to these types of residences

Permit applications can be made online via the city's eCLIPSE platform or by completing and submitting an Application for Construction Permit Form, along with all relevant plans, pre-approvals, and stipulated fees, in person at:

Note that an appointment must be scheduled for in-person applications. Once requested permits have been approved and issued, applicants are also required to schedule inspections at pre-determined stages of the work, either through the eCLIPSE platform or by calling (215) 255-4040.

Queries related to the city's permitting and inspection process and requirements can be directed to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections online or via phone numbers 311 and (215) 686-8686 for callers within and outside the city, respectively.

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

You should always confirm the kind of services your intended window contractors offer before concluding any hiring agreements with them. Professional window contractors in Philadelphia typically offer a wide variety of window-related services, and these services can be grouped into the following categories:

• New window installations
• Faulty/broken window repairs and replacements
• Window maintenance. This includes window caulking, sealing, tinting, rescreening, and other similar services.

Confirming the kind of services that a window contractor is equipped to offer goes a long way in determining their suitability for your specific window project. Note that you should also find out if the window contractor specializes in particular types of window styles and designs. The most common types of window styles and designs found in Philadelphia are:

• Double-hung windows
• Picture windows
• Sliding windows
• Casement windows
• Bay windows
• Awning windows
• Single-hung windows
• Bow windows
• Skylight windows
• Hopper windows
• Single-hung windows
• Fixed windows
• Arched windows
• Roundtop windows

These styles and designs each have unique features, and discussing how they may affect your home is always a good idea. For example, picture windows are static windows that cannot be opened but provide a clear view of the outside. On the other hand, bay windows can be opened and, when installed properly, can magnify your house's room space and exterior value.

Finally, if your planned home improvement project involves the installation, repair, or replacement of your siding, roof, gutter, or home insulation, it is a good idea to find out if your window contractor also offers these services or if they can recommend a professional that does.

Estimates for several types of services offered by professional window contractors in Philadelphia are listed below. It should be noted that the nature and scope of the job, as well as your location in the city and your contractor's reputation, may influence the actual cost of your required services:

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?

Once you have confirmed the kinds of services your intended window contractor offers, the next step is finding out the types of window brands they work with. Some well-known window brand manufacturers that homeowners and property managers in the Philadelphia area prefer for their window projects include:

• Northeast Building Products
• Emerald Windows
• Homerite Windows and Doors
• Vynex Window Systems Inc
• Glass Block Guys of Erie
• Trimline Windows Inc
• Quaker City Manufacturing Company
• Sunshine Doors and Windows
• Windsor Windows and Doors
• Pella Windows
• Amsco Windows
• Marvin Windows and Doors
• Ply Gem Windows
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Milgard Windows
• Andersen Windows
• Jeld Wen Windows
• Anlin Windows and Doors

These brands are not only tried and trusted but are also made with high-quality materials and come in a variety of affordable and attractive styles and designs. Nevertheless, even though using well-known brands for your window project provides you with a measure of confidence that your windows will perform as expected, it should be noted that the efficiency of these windows is largely dependent on proper installation and handling. Also, you should take the following features into consideration when picking out a window brand for your installation or replacement project:

• Security
• Safety
• Aesthetic appeal
• Compatibility with your home's exterior and interior finishes
• Affordability
• Ventilation
• Ease of operation
• Climate control/Energy-efficiency
• Warranty options

Discuss these features with your contractor and pay special attention to the warranty options available for your preferred window brand. Most window manufacturers offer Limited Lifetime Warranties for their products, which last for a stipulated length of time and typically cover several areas, such as:

• Installation
• Defects
• Window materials
• Energy-efficiency issues
• Obstruction of vision
• Hardware and parts
• Custom options

Note that the specific areas of coverage for these warranties, as well as their terms and conditions, vary by manufacturer.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

The US Energy Information Administration estimates that the average Philadelphia household spends more than $2,000 every year on energy bills. As such, the energy efficiency of your preferred window type and brand is crucial when installing new windows in your home or replacing old or damaged ones. Benefits of installing energy-efficient windows in your home include:

• They can lower your household energy bills by up to 12 percent
• They lower greenhouse gas emissions from your home
• They protect your household valuables from UV sun damage
• They reduce fading in your household items by as much as 75 percent
• They increase your indoor comfort by providing protection and shielding from winter chills and summer heat, respectively.
• They are certified to perform as labeled.

In addition to these benefits, investing in new energy-efficient windows for your home may qualify you for federal, state, or local energy-efficiency financial incentives and rebates. These, in turn, can help you reduce the cost of installing these windows.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection maintains an Energy Efficiency Financial Incentives webpage that you can use to get information on available energy-efficiency rebates and incentives for Philadelphia residents. You can also find similar rebate and incentive programs and offers for window-related projects via the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) and the Energy Star Rebate Finder webpages.

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

Injuries among installation, maintenance, and repair workers in Pennsylvania accounted for more than seven percent of the fatal occupational injuries that were recorded across the state in 2020. With window replacement and repair contractors particularly facing on-the-job hazards like falls from heights, lacerations from broken glass, and inhalation of chemicals, it is imperative that you hire insured contractors for your window projects. Doing this not only insulates you from the liabilities associated with work-related injuries but also ensures that you do not have to make out-of-pocket expenses to cover contractor-caused property damage and work errors during your project.

Per the requirements of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, window contractors that operate in the city must comply with the following minimum insurance requirements:

• They must carry general liability insurance with a minimum limit of $500,000 per occurrence
• They must carry automobile liability insurance with a minimum limit of $300,000
• They must carry workers' compensation insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee, or a $500,000 minimum policy limit.

Always ask your intended window contractors for proof of insurance before they commence any work in your home, and verify this proof with the appropriate insurance provider. Queries concerning the mandatory insurance requirements for Philadelphia window contractors can be directed to the Department of Licenses and Inspections at 311 or (215) 686-8686 for callers outside the city.