Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Indianapolis, IN

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

Per the provisions of Section 875-10 of the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, individuals and businesses in the city that wish to engage in building and construction-related activities must obtain contractor licenses from the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS). Window contractors that wish to obtain licenses from this department may do so by complying with the following requirements:

• Completing a Company License Application Form
• Providing proof of business registration
• Providing proof of acceptable insurance and bonding
• Paying a stipulated license fee

All required documentation and fees can be submitted to the department via email or by mail to:

Inquiries concerning the licensing process can also be directed to the department via the aforementioned email address or by calling (317) 327-1291. It should be noted that window contractors in the city who offer their services without appropriate licensing can receive a fine of $250 for the first offense in a 12-month period and a minimum fine of $1,000 for subsequent violations.

You can confirm that your intended window contractor has been appropriately licensed by the BNS by perusing a List of Currently Licensed General Contractors that the department provides for this purpose.

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

Finding out how much your intended window contractor charges for their services is an important step to take before commencing any work in your home and is necessary to avoid misunderstandings down the line. While window repair and replacement costs in Indianapolis generally vary by contractor, these costs are typically calculated based on several key factors, such as:

• The number of windows to be repaired or replaced
• The size of the windows
• The window material
• The window style and design
• Accessibility to the windows
• The nature and scale of the window damage
• The urgency of the job
• Availability of required hardware and components
• The labor intensity of the job
• Your specific location within the city
• The contractor's local reputation and level of experience

To ensure that you get charged a fair rate for your required window repair and replacement services, you should consider getting and comparing cost estimates for the job from several window contractors in the city. This way, you can properly assess your project's estimated cost and spot dishonest contractors who overcharge for their services. Note that you should never automatically hire the contractor with the lowest rates, as some fraudulent contractors also use this technique to scam unsuspecting homeowners. Always request an explanation for submitted cost estimates that are noticeably higher or lower than the others, and never hire any contractor that cannot provide a reasonable justification for these differences.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in Indianapolis earn approximately $44,940 every year. Listed below are the hourly average wages for Indianapolis window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of Indiana as well as several other major cities in the United States:

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

Per the provisions of Chapter 536 of the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, building and construction-related activities in Indianapolis cannot commence unless building permits for these activities have been obtained from the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS). However, this law makes permit exemptions for the following types of window-related construction activities:

• The replacement of exterior prime windows in one and two-family dwellings. Note that this work must be done by a city-licensed contractor and must comply with all pertinent building regulations.
• Ordinary maintenance and repair work, like window caulking and broken glass replacement, provided that this work does not alter the prior or initial capacity, performance specifications, type of required energy, or functional features of the building or structure.
• The installation, repair, and maintenance of storm windows or any other type of exterior windows that are designed and used as protection against severe weather
• The attachment of window awnings to exterior walls provided that the awnings do not project more than 48 inches from any wall.

The BNS issues two main types of permits: Class 1 permits for commercial projects and Class 2 permits for residential projects. Parties that wish to obtain permits for window installation and replacement jobs may do so online or by completing and submitting either a Class 1 Structural Permit Application Form or a Class 2 Structural Permit Application Form to the department at:

Note that online applicants will be required to create a user account on the permitting platform before they can request permits via this channel. Permit applicants are typically expected to submit copies of documents like building plans and drawings when making their applications and also pay all stipulated fees. Also, infrastructure reviews, plan reviews, and additional permit applications may be required depending on the nature and scope of the project.

You can get more information on the city's permitting process and requirements for window installation, replacement, and repair projects by contacting the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-8700. Permit-related queries can also be directed to this department via email or in person at the office location mentioned above between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

You should always confirm that your intended window contractors offer services that fit your specific window needs before you finalize any hiring arrangements with them. Many professional window contractors in Indianapolis are generally skilled and experienced in providing several types of services, which can be collectively grouped into the following categories:

• New window installation
• Window replacements and upgrades
• Window repairs
• Window restoration and maintenance

Nevertheless, some contractors in the city may specialize in one or two of the aforementioned categories and focus their services in these areas. Similarly, window contractors in the city may also provide services for a wide range of window styles and designs, while some may specialize in specific types. The most common types of window styles and designs found in Indianapolis include:

• Double-hung windows
• Sliding windows
• Casement windows
• Awning windows
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Garden windows
• Picture windows
• Architectural shape windows
• Single-hung windows
• Hopper windows
• Egress windows
• Glass block windows
• Skylight windows
• Storm windows
• Custom windows

Considering that these window styles and designs typically have unique operating features and mechanisms, you should always ensure that your window contractor has experience handling your preferred window type and is properly equipped to do so. Ensure that you get confirmation on this before the contractor begins any work in your home to avoid misunderstandings and unsatisfactory service delivery at the end of the day.

Finally, if you intend to undertake roofing, siding, or gutter replacements, installations, or repair after or alongside your window project, you should consider asking your window contractor if they offer these kinds of services. This way, you limit the room for error that can arise by having multiple individuals working on your home, and you may also get a discount for the additional services. In situations where the window contractor does not offer these services, they may be able to recommend a reputable professional that does so.

Listed below are cost estimates for commonly requested window replacement, installation, and repair services provided by professional window contractors in Indianapolis. Note that factors like the nature and scope of your specific project, your location within the city, and your contractor's level of experience will determine the actual costs of these 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?

Finding out the brands of windows that a window contractor works with is another critical area to consider when searching for qualified and experienced window replacement and installation contractors in Indianapolis. Hiring a contractor who is familiar with your preferred window brand and provides their services per the specifications of the brand manufacturer goes a long way in ensuring that your window replacement and installation project is handled satisfactorily. Several popular window brand manufacturers are favored locally by homeowners and property managers in Indianapolis, and these include:

• Pella Windows and Doors of Indianapolis
• Glass and Mirrors Etc
• Window Nation
• Universal Windows Direct
• Associated Materials Group Inc
• Champion Windows
• Jeld Wen Windows
• Marvin Windows and Doors
• Ply Gem Windows
• Alside Windows
• Andersen Windows and Doors
• Harvey Building Products
• Velux USA
• Milgard Windows and Doors
• Simonton Windows
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Cascade Windows
• Earthwise Group LLC
• Weather Shield Windows and Doors
• Windsor Windows and Doors

Using well-known window brands for your new window installations and replacements is always a good idea. These brands are not only tried and trusted locally but are also made with high-quality materials and are typically available in a wide range of affordable and attractive styles and designs. Nevertheless, before making your selection of window brand to use for your project, you should always consider certain key features of the window, such as:

• Security and safety
• Compatibility with your home's interior and exterior finishes
• Ease of operation and maintenance
• Ventilation
• Energy efficiency
• Warranty options

Discuss these features with your window contractor and pay attention to the available warranty options offered by the window brand manufacturer. Common types of warranties that are offered for new and replacement windows include:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty: this is the most common type of warranty offered for window installations and replacements. The term "lifetime" refers to a stipulated timeframe determined by the window manufacturer and should not be mistaken for the lifespan of the individual who purchases the window or the window itself. Limited lifetime warranties generally cover window performance and aesthetic defects.
• Lifetime Warranty: this type of warranty is similar to the limited lifetime warranties but typically covers more areas, such as the cost of replacement parts for the window
• Double Lifetime Warranty: a double lifetime warranty is a warranty option that offers coverage for purchased windows for as long as the home where these windows are installed is owned by the individual who purchased them. Sometimes, the window manufacturer may allow this warranty coverage to transfer to a new homeowner.
• Transferable Warranty: this warranty option allows the window coverage to continue after the home where the purchased window was installed is sold to a new owner. Transferable warranties are useful for homeowners who are concerned with maintaining the added value to their homes that window replacements and upgrades provide.
• Prorated Warranty: prorated warranties offer homeowners the option of steadily reducing the percentage of coverage provided for their windows. Under this type of warranty, the out-of-pocket payments made by the individual who purchased the window will increase the older the window gets.

Note that, in addition to manufacturer warranties, you should also make sure that you are offered a workmanship warranty by the window contractor that performs the window installation or replacement job. This warranty covers the work done by the contractor and guarantees that it was done per the window manufacturer's specifications. Always ask for written copies of any manufacturer and workmanship warranties you are offered, and ensure that you read and understand their terms and conditions so as not to void them.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

According to the United States Department of Energy, heat loss and gain through windows are responsible for approximately 25 – 30 percent of the heating and cooling energy use in homes across the country. However, upgrading your old windows to energy-efficient models or selecting these types of windows for your new construction can save you as much as $500 a year on energy use costs. As such, the energy efficiency of your preferred window brands should be a top consideration when undertaking window installation and replacement projects in Indianapolis.

In addition to reduced energy costs, investing in energy-efficient windows protects your indoor valuables from UV sun damage and can also qualify you for tax incentives and rebates at the local, state, and federal levels. These, in turn, balance out the initial cost of purchasing and installing these energy-efficient windows in your home. You can find available local home repair and improvement financing options and determine your eligibility for them by accessing the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership website. Other platforms where you can find available local, state, and federal energy-efficiency financing programs include:

• The Indiana Energy Association's Energy Efficiency website
• The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor's Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Programs website
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website
• The US Department of Energy's Energy Star Rebate Finder website

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

Construction, installation, maintenance, and repair workers usually face several work-related hazards, such as falls from heights, cuts, tears, and lacerations from sharp work tools and work materials, and even exposure to toxic chemicals like sealants and adhesives. According to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2020, approximately 45 deaths were recorded amongst this category of workers in Indiana, accounting for more than 28 percent of the total work-related fatalities reported in the state during this time. As such, it is always in your best interest to hire properly insured contractors for your window installation and replacement jobs in Indianapolis.

Per the provisions of Chapter 875, Article I of the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, window contractors that operate in Indianapolis are expected to comply with the following insurance and bond requirements:

• They must carry minimum general liability insurance coverage of $500,000 per occurrence for death or bodily injury and $100,000 per occurrence for property damage or a minimum limit of $500,000 per occurrence for a combined coverage of both bodily injury and property damage
• They must carry workers' compensation insurance for any of their workers employed in the city or other parts of Marion County.
• They must maintain a surety bond of $10,000

Failing to confirm that your window contractor has complied with these mandatory insurance and bond requirements makes you liable for any injuries or property damage that they incur or cause during your project. To this end, always ask for copies of their insurance and bond certificates and validate these documents with the appropriate issuing organization before the contractor commences any work in your home. You should also make sure that the contractor's available insurance coverage will be adequate for the scope of your project.

You can get additional information on the locally mandated insurance and bond requirements for Indianapolis window contractors by contacting the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317)327-1291.