Check any window company before you sign. In California, that starts with a license lookup on the CSLB website, and the state limits deposits and gives you a right to cancel. Here is what to check and what to ask.
How do I check a contractor's license in California?
Look up the license on the Contractors State License Board's website, cslb.ca.gov, using its Check a License tool. It shows whether the license is active, its classification, the bond and workers' comp status, and any actions against it. Since January 1, 2025, the CSLB's minor work exemption covers jobs under $1,000, but anyone you hire for a job that needs a permit must be licensed, whatever the price.
Which license covers window installation?
The CSLB's C-17 Glazing license covers installing all kinds of glass and glazing, including frames, sashes and doors. Ask which license the company holds and check that it is active. Whether a general building contractor can take a window-only job is a question to ask the CSLB.
How much deposit can a contractor ask for?
In California, the down payment on a home improvement job cannot be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. That rule is in the CSLB's home improvement contract guide. A request for half the price up front is far over that limit.
Do I have a right to cancel?
Yes. Under California law, you can cancel a home improvement contract within three business days of signing, or five business days if you are 65 or older. Cancel in writing and keep a copy.
What should a window contract include?
The CSLB guide says home improvement jobs over $500 must be in a written contract. It should list each window by room, size, style, frame, glass and NFRC numbers, the install method, who pulls the permit, how hidden damage is priced, haul-away of old windows, clean-up, the schedule and the payment plan tied to work done.
What should I ask about warranties?
Ask for both warranties in writing: the window maker's warranty on the product and any installer warranty on the work. Read what each covers, how long, whether it moves with the house if you sell, and what voids it. Do not rely on a verbal promise. A product warranty does not cover a bad install.
What are the red flags with a window company?
Red flags include a price that is only good if you sign today, high pressure sales visits, a deposit larger than the law allows, no license number, no mention of a permit or the energy code, and a quote that does not name the frame, glass or install method. A quote given without measuring is a red flag too.
How many quotes should I get?
Get two or three quotes for anything more than a window or two. Ask each company to quote the same windows, the same install method and the same glass, so you can compare. Look at the NFRC numbers, the install method and what is included, not only the total.
Who installs the windows, the seller or a subcontractor?
Ask who installs your windows, because some companies sell and then subcontract the install. That is not wrong, but you should know who will be in your home and who answers for the work. Ask whether the installers are the company's own crew or a subcontractor, and whether they hold EPA lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Call or text (559) 354-1055, tell us how many windows and which rooms, and we will come out, measure every opening and give you a written quote per window. We work in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, Kerman, Fowler, Kingsburg, Visalia, Hanford and Tulare.
This is general information about California, Fresno-area and federal rules, not legal or tax advice. For your own home, check with the office named or a qualified professional.