Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in Charlotte, NC

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

To provide services in Charlotte, window contractors must first register with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) as general contractors. Any window contractor planning to carry out a window project worth more than $30,000 must obtain a license. If a window contractor is found to have been engaged in unauthorized contracting activities, such as using expired licenses or impersonating a registered contractor, they can be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The NCLBGC has various licenses that are categorized by their monetary limitations available to interested window contractors. These include:

• Limited licenses allow window contractors to handle projects with a value of up to $500,000.
• Intermediate licenses allow window contractors to perform projects with a value of up to $1,000,000.
• Unlimited licenses allow window contractors to perform projects without an upper limit on the monetary value.

To be licensed as a window contractor in Charlotte, an applicant must fill out and submit an Application for License to Practice General Contracting in the State of North Carolina via mail to:

Aside from submitting a form, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• The applicant must be of good character.
• The applicant must be deemed financially responsible by the NCLBGC.
• The applicant must successfully pass an exam set by the NCLBGC.

Before hiring a window contractor in Charlotte, ensuring they have the necessary license to offer you services is essential. You can verify their licensing status via NCLBGC's license verification portal. You can also download the NCLBGC license verification tool on Android or iOS-supported mobile devices to verify a licensing status. If you have any questions about the licensing requirements of a window contractor, you can contact the NCLBGC by email or by calling (919) 571-4183.

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

The cost of window repairs and replacements in Charlotte can vary depending on several factors. Some of these include:

• The type of window
• The window style and design
• The window frame material
• The glass type
• The number of windows involved
• Accessibility to the windows
• The size of these windows
• Your location within the Charlotte
• The complexity of the job

Other factors like your preferred window contractor's experience and reputation contribute to how much you will be charged. To this end, when planning a window project in Charlotte, it is important that you get and compare estimates from multiple contractors. Doing so will allow you to get an accurate project estimate and avoid getting overcharged by fraudulent contractors. Note that if any contractor gives you an estimate different from the other prices, they should be able to explain the difference in their estimates. Although it's important to hire a window contractor with the necessary experience and knowledge to handle the project, you have to be cautious about getting an estimate from a window contractor who has not accessed the project's location.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in Charlotte earn approximately $47,920 every year. Listed below are the average hourly wages for Charlotte window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of North Carolina 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 North Carolina's General Statute 160D-1110, permits are required for most commercial and residential window projects in the City of Charlotte. However, any residential window project that costs less than $15,000 will not require permits. The Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department is responsible for issuing permits for the installation, general repair, extension, or alteration of mechanical systems within the City of Charlotte.

General contractors and homeowners can obtain permits from the County Code enforcement department. Applicants can utilize CED's online portals to apply for permits, and these portals include:

• Homeowner Internet Permitting: For window-related projects that are less than $30,000.
• Other Permit Not Requiring Plan Review: contractors mainly carry out commercial building window projects.
• Trade Internet Permitting: for window-related services that do not require plan review submission.
• Permits Requiring Plan Review: this portal is used when carrying out window projects involving mega-multi family plan reviews, residential plan reviews, small commercial project plan reviews, commercial plan reviews, and special projects plan reviews.
• Demolition & Move-on/Move-Off Permits: The portal is useful for permits for various demolition and move-on projects, such as the partial or total demolition of windows.
• Special Event Permits: used to secure permits for special or unique window projects

Applicants can get more information regarding the permit application process, procedures, and how to use the relevant permit portal by visiting the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department's physical location at:

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

Before you hire a window contractor in Charlotte, make sure that you confirm the type of services that they offer before concluding the hiring process. Window contractors in Charlotte typically provide the following types of services:

• New window installations
• Window maintenance
• Faulty or broken window repairs and replacements

Confirming your intended window contractors offer the type of services you require will help you determine if they are the right choice for your project. Also, ensure that the contractor has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle different types of window styles and designs. The different types of window styles and designs commonly found in Charlotte are:

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

These styles and designs have unique features that can affect the appearance and feel of your home. For instance, picture windows can provide a clear view of the outside but cannot be opened, while bay windows can be opened to allow light to enter your home. When properly installed, these types of windows can greatly increase the value of your house.

Also, you should find out if your window contractor offers additional services like installing, repairing, or replacing siding, roof, gutter, or home insulation. If they do, confirm they possess the proper CSLB-issued licenses, which authorize them to carry out such additional services; if they do not, inquire if they can recommend a reputable professional window contractor that carries these services out.

Below is a list of estimates that are provided by window contractors in Charlotte for various types of window services. It is important to note that the scope of the job and your locality can affect the actual cost of the project:

Estimates for window installation or repair based on task

Estimates for window repair/replacement based on faulty component

Estimates for window repair based on type of window

Estimates for window repair based on window frame material

What Brands of Windows Do You Work With?

After confirming the services your intended window contractor offers, you should find out the types of window brands they are conversant with. Some of the prominent window brand manufacturers that are commonly used in the Charlotte area are:

• Southern Industries Home Improvements
• Duke Vinyl Windows
• All Seasons Window & Door Co.
• Zen Windows Carolina
• Window World & Siding Company
• Sun Glass & Door Co
• Moss Supply Co
• Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement
• Marvin Replacement
• World of Windows of The Carolinas
• Carefree Coatings & Windows Charlotte
• Universal Windows Direct of Charlotte
• Window Nation
• Carolina Window Co. Inc
• Windows & Door Pros
• Pella Windows & Doors of Charlotte
• Window and Door Specialties of South Charlotte
• Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors

Aside from being trusted and proven, these brands also offer a variety of attractive and affordable designs. While these are all good reasons to use these types of windows, it is essential to note that their efficiency depends on proper handling and installation. Also, before you choose a window brand, it is essential to consider the various features of the brand intended for your installation or replacement:

• Ventilation
• Ease of operation
• Energy-efficiency
• Aesthetic appeal
• Compatibility with your home's exterior and interior finishes
• Affordability
• Warranty

Note that you should confirm the warranty option available to see if it suits your needs. For instance, a limited lifetime warranty covers aesthetic and performance defects in the window, while a lifetime warranty covers various areas, such as the replacement parts for the window. In addition, you should review the terms and conditions of the warranty to ensure that you do not void it.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

​​When choosing new windows, it is vital to consider their energy efficiency. According to the US Energy Information Administration, a typical Charlotte household spends over $1,800 annually on energy bills. Besides being more energy-efficient, installing new windows can also help lower your home's overall energy bills by up to 12 percent. Some other benefits of installing energy-efficient windows in your home:

• They reduce condensation
• They can keep the heat in, which in turn keeps your home warm and comfortable during winter.
• They reduce noise, which provides you with a quiet environment.
• They are made with special coatings that can block or reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation affecting your home. These windows can also prevent the deterioration and fading of your home by as much as 75 percent.

Aside from these benefits, you can also qualify for financial incentives and rebate programs if you plan to install energy-efficient windows in your home. These programs can help you lower the cost of installing this type of window. Residents of Charlotte can find information on rebates and incentives offers for window 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 Charlotte?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 180 fatalities in North Carolina due to work-related accidents involving maintenance, repair, and installation workers in 2020. Window contractors are typically prone to experiencing various hazards, such as falls from heights, lacerations, and cuts from broken glass.

Window contractors in Charlotte are not required to carry general liability insurance. Nonetheless, hiring insured window contractors for your projects is still important. This ensures that you are not legally or financially liable for property damages or bodily injury caused by your contractor while carrying out your project.

However, Charlotte window contractors must maintain a surety bond and carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. To this end, ensure they have the necessary insurance documents before hiring a window contractor. You can check the details of the insurance requirements of window contractors in Charlotte by contacting the issuing insurance provider. You can also check if your window contractor is carrying the required insurance via the North Carolina Industrial Commission's Insurance Coverage Search System. For more information regarding insurance and bond requirements for window contractors in Charlotte, contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission at (800) 688-8349.