Congratulations on moving forward with your home improvement project! We would like to clarify a few guidelines before commencement of our work. Please read below for tips and best practices for a smooth and stress-free installation.
Arrival and Departure Times - We generally schedule to arrive between 9AM and 10AM. Despite our best efforts, traffic and unforeseen circumstances can cause delays. We will call the customer to update as needed. Work will continue as long as there is daylight. If you have special scheduling requests, please inform the Install Coordinator. In the case of inclement weather, you will be contacted to reschedule.
Do I need to be home? - Please make arrangements to be home at the end of the installation in order to complete the close-out process with the crew leader and make final payment.
Where We Start - The crew leader will survey the job and choose the best starting point. Work is performed in stages (removal of old, reinstallation of new, trimming, etc.) This allows for the best workflow and quality of finished product.
Work Area - The installation team will need an adequate workspace (3 feet) around the window, door, or siding cleared prior to installation. Please note that the area around the window/door will be disturbed and items that are hanging on the wall space near the work area may be at risk. Please remove these items along with all valuables or personal belongings from the work area. Secure any loose papers or other objects subject to disruption by wind gusts that may enter through the rough openings during installation. It is easiest for our installation crews to work and unload in the driveway. Please move any vehicles that may be blocked in by the installers’ trucks prior to the start of the job. WoW will not move furniture around the window openings to provide clearance. WoW is not responsible for any damage to items not removed from the work area.
Plants and Bushes - Occasionally, we will need to work in landscaped areas of your yard during installation. Some trees and bushes may need to be trimmed back in order to gain access to the work area. Delicate plants or shrubs should be temporarily relocated. We take care not to disturb any vegetation, however, our priority is to focus on the work product and worker safety. We are not responsible for damaged landscaped areas or vegetation.
Alarm Systems - If you have an alarm system at your home, you should notify the company prior to the start of the installation. If you wish us to remove the old contacts from your windows, we can do so. Reconnection of the alarm systems is the sole responsibility of the homeowner and/or their security company of choice. The removal and reinstallation of security bars are the sole responsibility of the homeowner. Installation teams can cut off or remove existing security bars for an added expense; however, this is not covered under the standard installation charges.
Security Bars - WoW can remove security bars but the reinstallation depends on the current application of the bars. Bars that are cast into the block or brick cannot be reinstalled by our crews, therefore you must contact a security bar welder for reinstallation. For welded applications, the bars will be cut across the middle and removed for a fee as detailed by your inhome consultant. Security bars that are bolted in place can often be unbolted and reinstalled. Some of these bolted applications are rusted in place or use specific security fasteners that do not allow them to be unbolted and reinstalled. In these instances, the installer will cut the bolts free and the bars will be left for the homeowner to have reinstalled. Please note: some of the bricks, mortar, blocks, etc. that these bars are secured to are damaged and will crumble upon manipulation of the bars. WoW is not liable for any damage to the the exterior walls where the security bars are attached.
Pets - During construction, windows and doors will be left open. Please secure all pets. Installers have been bitten in the past, so please take the appropriate precautions with animals that have displayed any aggressive tendencies.
Window Coverings - In order for us to gain access to the interior of your windows, we ask that you remove all mini blinds, vertical blinds, rollup shades, shutters, drapes and any other coverings prior to our arrival at your home. We are not responsible for older coverings that may be damaged during removal. You should also note that due to the different size and thickness of your new windows and/or trim, you may not have the ability to remount your existing blinds, curtains, shades, plantation shutters, etc. with the current hardware. This potential inability to remount the blinds is true with both replacement and full tear out window applications. WoW does not make any claim that you will need new hardware. However, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to supply the hardware and expertise to remount window coverings onto the new windows.
Plaster, Drywall, and Trim Stops - During the replacement of the windows, plaster and patchwork around the frame of the window may be disturbed. This is normal because of the moisture accumulated from the “sweating” of the window. Our installation crews are not plaster experts and the replacement of plaster is the responsibility of the homeowner. Trim stops around sashes may snap upon removal. If this happens, we can leave it off if you wish, or for a small additional charge, we will replace them. Most of the older style stops are no longer available and in this case we would replace the entire window with newer style stops. Small cracks may or may not develop around the window openings as a result of removal of the old window. This may happen with this type of construction and is not the responsibility of WoW.
Paint/Finish Damage and Responsibility - Due to the requirements of certain workplace procedures and necessities, WoW may be required to tape plastic to surrounding wall, ceiling, or floor surfaces. WoW is not liable for any damage to these surfaces. Stained and Varnished surfaces are often degraded from UV light exposure and can easily crack and flake during the course of normal installation. WoW will make every effort to preserve these surfaces but some flaking may be unavoidable.
Roofing and Siding Projects:
The homeowner should remove any wall hanging items inside the home prior to the start of the work. The construction process may involve vibrations on the exterior walls, especially if any sheathing needs to be replaced. These vibrations during construction may cause wallmounted objects to fall.
The homeowner should move any breakable items from tables and/or displays that are located in close proximity to an exterior wall.
Due to the nature of construction, it is possible for interior drywall nails to “pop” and/or for small drywall cracks to develop. Every precaution will be taken to minimize any vibrations, nail “pops”, and drywall cracking.
WoW will thoroughly clean all construction debris from the job site and will haul away all debris generated during the project. It is possible that some nails and small debris may be missed during site cleanup.
WoW recommends that the homeowner and residents use caution when walking around the home (especially children and pets) to avoid possible injury.
During construction, it will be necessary to set up equipment close to your home and surrounding landscaping. We will do our best to minimize any damage to landscaping, but the homeowner should be aware that landscaping might be disturbed or damaged in some cases.
WoW will nail sweep the area with a magnetic pick up, however, some nails used in construction are aluminum. We do our best to contain and pick all construction nails from the demo process, however, some nails may fall into the grass and go unnoticed. Please note that there may be some left over nails as part of the project.
Air Sealing and Insulation - Most Air Sealing and Insulation projects will require worker access to the attic to complete our retrofits. WoW takes special care to navigate the attic in a manner that will prevent damage to the drywall and plaster finishes. Drywall nail/screw pops as well as some drywall or plaster cracks may occur during the normal access of these areas. All precautions will be taken to minimize these occurrences, but at times they are unavoidable and therefore not the responsibility of WoW. Any accidental damages from a misstep or workplace error will be fixed by WoW and are covered. Repairs will be confined to the immediate area of the damage only.
Jobs Extending more than 1 Day - Only those items that can be replaced in the same day will be removed. Even if the installation is not complete, the item installed will be secured and weather tight prior to the end of the work day.
Noise, Dust, and Debris - Construction and remodeling can be messy. We will do our best to maintain a clean work area. You patience during the remodeling is appreciated. Feel free to survey the work area after the job completion to point out any areas that may have been missed during final clean up.
RRP and Lead Paint Installations - Homeowners cannot remain in the home during RRP/Lead Paint installations and will need to make arrangements accordingly.
Sit Back and Relax - We enjoy customers who express interest in what we do. We are happy to answer your questions, however, we respectfully request that we be allowed to concentrate on our work without excessive distractions, interruptions or hindrances. We respectfully request that you give the installation team adequate work room and personal space to complete the project. This will ensure a safe and quality installation. Insurance reasons prohibit the homeowner from assisting in installation.
Thank you once again for trusting Windows On Washington with your home improvement needs. We look forward to completing your project and making your home more beautiful, comfortable and energy efficient. If you have questions or need assistance at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at 703-378-1190.
The Windows On Washington Customer Service Team
Windows on Washington has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site
*Please note: at this time we only provide services in Maryland and Virginia.