Let's say you're tired of those old wood windows, and you decide it's time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate. After they leave, you can't believe windows can cost so much. I mean, having to get financing to replace your windows just doesn't seem right. Let me explain to you why windows are so expensive. You have to pay salary of salesman who comes over to give you your "free" estimate. Then, you have to pay salary of installers. Finally, you have to pay owner of company. In some cases there is a broker who acts as a middleman, and he or she gets a cut too. No wonder you need financing! Now, imagine if you already knew how to shop for windows, how to measure for new windows, how to remove old windows, and how to install new windows. You just eliminated everybody except owner. All of a sudden you can afford to replace your windows without taking out a loan! The next few articles are going to cover this process. This article is going to discuss proper way to measure for your double hung replacement windows.

It's important to properly measure for your windows. If you order them too small, you're going to end up having to improvise in order to get them to work. Even if you do get them to work, you're probably going to have problems. And if you order them too big, you're really in trouble. Chances are you will be ordering more windows. So, measuring is very important. Fortunately, it's also very simple. We are dealing with old double hung wood windows here, so if that doesn't apply to you, don't worry. Future articles will discuss other types of windows. In case of wood sash windows, you want to measure width first, and height second. When you go shopping for windows, always give dimensions as WIDTH X HEIGHT. To measure your width, you want to pull a tape measure from top right corner to top left corner. Measure in that 1 1/2" pocket that window frame slides in. Measure to sixteenth of an inch. Do same thing at about midway point,right above where window locks. Then, raise bottom sash and take same measurement at bottom. If you can't raise window for whatever reason, go outside and measure from there. You will have to remove screen though.

Before signing any contract with a home improvement company, first ask that company for its license number and check it out with your State or County Consumer Affairs' Business License Division. Find License Division on web or call information and get their number. You want to find out (1) name and address of company associated with license number given to you, (2) if company is currently licensed and license expiration date and (3) whether any complaints have been made against that company. The answers to those questions will help you determine if you want to proceed with signing a contract. Make sure both contractor and company he works for are licensed to work in your State.

If your going to sign contract then make sure certain things are included pursuant to your understanding and as required by your State’s Home Improvement Business Law. The contracting company's name, address and phone number should be printed on contract. Also, it is important that contracting company's home improvement license number is printed on contract and that it is not different from number you called and inquired about with Consumer Affairs. Lastly, make sure that all of work to be performed is listed in contract and that approximate start and end dates of work are included. You should put a penalty clause in contract regarding contractor’s failure to timely complete work because contractors are notorious for starting jobs and then leaving for a few days or weeks to do other jobs while you sit and wait in your dismantled kitchen for him to return. Once contract terms are satisfactory then contract should be signed by both you and company's representative.