Greetings,

I would look for a home improvement company that has been in buisness for at least 25 -30 years and enjoys a good reputation in your area.

I would get three estimates and through out the low and the high estimates.

I would look for a company that stands behind thier work and states what the companies warranty is in the contract.

I would not pay more than 10% down because an established company enjoys good credit and most of the time will not get a bill from the supplier until 30 days after they are deliverd. (This also gives them an ensentive to get the job done!) This also gives you leverage to ensure the job is done the way the contract states.

Make sure it is spelled out, who gets rid of the old windows and the desbri that goes with it.

Ask your friends what thier experiances were.

Good luck,
Jason

I've never heard of them, and I've been around the construction industry since day one, look into http:// www.certainteed.com they make great windows and are actually reasonable priced, they can be found at a local wholesale supply store you probably wont find them retail.

I just replied to another post, so here it is again...........
I spent a considerable amount of time on the Internet researching vinyl replacement windows........I chose the Excalibur from Aside. It is a great window.....I just did my entire home (13 windows ) in Northern Ohio and I'm very satisfied......The last 2 weeks the temperature has been as low as 2 and has never been above 25 degrees, I can not feel any cold transfer through the vinyl......Plus the outside noise level was reduced drastically..
This is one of the better products out there.
If you are installing them yourself I discovered a great insulating tip...Go to any hardware or home improvement store and buy the dark grey foam insulation for 1/2 inch water copper pipe. Then cut it length-wise, take each length and wrap it around the entire window in the master frame channel, cutting or adding foam as needed. I used small pieces of double sided tape to hold the foam in place...Then you just push and squeeze the foamed window into the window opening and the foam expands to fill in the gaps......Better then using any other type of insulation.......and not as messy as the "expanding foam in a can crap".....

I have to agree with Bill(at least on the window). Alside has been around for over 50 years, they make a good product, and they do stand behind it if there is a problem down the road.
If you are looking for more unbias information on windows, look into the EnergyStar program at: www.energystar.gov. You can also try: www.nfrc.org.