Get Quotes from Top Window Repair Contractors in San Diego, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Window Contractor in San Diego?

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regulates the activities of all building and construction-related professionals operating in San Diego, including window contractors. Per this board's requirements, window contractors in the city that wish to bid for or work on projects worth $500 or more must have either a valid C-61/D-52 - Window Coverings Contractor License, C-17 - Glazing Contractor License or any other appropriate CSLB-issued license before doing so. Failure to comply with this licensing requirement can result in statutory and administrative penalties of up to six months in jail, $15,000 in fines, or a combination of both. Note that these penalties are for first-time violators, and repeat offenders typically face even harsher punishments.

The CSLB typically issues contractor licenses to window contractors that meet the following criteria:

• They must be at least 18 years old at the time of the application
• They must properly complete and submit an Application for Original Contractor License Form and a non-refundable application fee to the board. Available channels for submitting the form and payment are provided on the form.
• They must have attained at least four years of journeyman-level work experience in the area of window work they wish to be licensed in and submit acceptable and verifiable documentation to this effect.
• They must pass a licensing examination administered by the CSLB
• They must provide proof of compliance with the board's insurance and bonding requirements for building and construction-related contractors

For further information on the CSLB's licensing requirements and procedures for window contractors that operate in San Diego, contact the board at (800) 321-2752.

Hiring CSLB-licensed window contractors gives you confidence that your window project will be handled by professionals who have attained the minimum required knowledge and training to handle the job satisfactorily. You can confirm your intended contractor's licensing status by calling (800) 321-2752 or by utilizing the CSLB's Check a Contractor License platform online.

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

After confirming that a window contractor has been properly licensed, finding out how much they charge for their services is another crucial factor to take into account before selecting them for your window project. Window contractors in the San Diego area typically consider several variables when calculating the cost of their window repair, installation, and replacement services, and these variables include:

• The nature and scope of the job
• The window design and style
• The type of window frame material to be used
• The type of window glass
• The complexity of the job and the amount of labor required to execute it properly
• Your location in the city
• Accessibility to the job site

It is always a good idea to request and compare bids for the project from at least three different window contractors in the city before making your final hiring selection. This not only helps you get a fair assessment of the estimated cost of the project but also protects you from unscrupulous contractors that scam consumers in the city by fraudulently inflating their rates. Note that you should try to make the project specifications you give the contractors as identical as possible when requesting bids to enable you to compare their rates accurately. You should also look out for bids that are inexplicably lower than the others, as this is also a common scam technique used by unscrupulous contractors in the city to lure unsuspecting homeowners into retaining their services.

Window replacement, repair, and installation contractors in San Diego earn approximately $46,190 every year. Listed below are the hourly average wages for San Diego window contractors compared with the average hourly wages of these professionals across other parts of California as well as several other major cities in the United States:

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

A building permit is usually required for projects in San Diego that involve constructing new structures or improving, repairing, altering, or modifying existing buildings and structures in the city. Nevertheless, building permit exemptions may be made for the following types of window-related projects:

• The installation of replacement windows in existing window openings in detached one and two-family dwellings or townhouses. However, no modifications must be made to exterior weather-resistive window flashings, no alterations or modifications must be made to existing rough openings, and the existing windows that need replacing must not be required to be fire-resistive.
• Repairs that are limited to the replacement of window components with similar materials for maintenance purposes provided that these repairs do not cost more than $1,000 and will not affect any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical installations in the building.

Note that these permit exemptions do not apply to buildings designated as historical resources or located within a designated historic district in the city.

San Diego building permits are issued locally by the city's Development Services Department (DSD), and applications for these permits can be made online via the department's OpenDSD permitting platform. Note that utilizing this online permitting platform requires the creation of a user account, and the DSD provides interested applicants with a user guide that can be used to get assistance with this process.

Alternatively, building permit applications can be made in person by submitting a General Application Form DS-3032 to the DSD at:

Depending on the nature and scope of the intended window project, applicants may be required to provide construction plans, building drawings, and other relevant additional forms and documents. Where this is necessary, all requested additional documentation must be validated before the permit application is submitted, and these additional documents must also be created and submitted in a department-approved PDF format.

The DSD typically issues building permits within 27 business days; however, this timeline is mainly dependent on the department's current workload, the complexity of the intended project, and the proper submission of all required documents. It is important to note that all window projects that receive building permits from the DSD are subject to inspections by officials from this department to verify that the project is carried out per relevant city building regulations.

You can get additional information on the permitting and inspection requirements for window installation, replacement, and repair projects in San Diego by contacting the DSD in person at the office address provided above or by calling the department at (619) 446-5000.

What Kind of Window Replacement Services Do You Offer?

Another essential action to take before starting your window replacement, installation, or repair project in San Diego is figuring out the services your preferred window contractor can provide and ensuring that these services match your unique needs. Professional window contractors in the city typically offer a wide range of services, which can be grouped into the following categories:

• New construction window installation
• Old window upgrades and replacements
• Faulty/broken window repairs and replacements
• Window maintenance services. This includes caulking, sealing, and tinting

Note that some of these window contractors also specialize in specific types of window designs and styles. The most common types of window designs and styles found in San Diego include:

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

These window designs and styles each have unique features and operating mechanisms, and as such, you should always confirm that your contractor has the required knowledge and tools to work on your preferred window type. Make sure that you get this confirmation before they commence any work to avoid misunderstandings down the line. Additionally, if your project may involve siding, gutter, roofing, and insulation replacement, installation, or repair, you should find out if your window contractor also offers these extra services. Note that the contractor may be required to hold separate CSLB-issued occupational licenses for each of these services.

The list below provides the costs of commonly requested window replacement, installation, and repair services in San Diego by professional window contractors. Bear in mind that these costs are estimates, and the actual cost of your project will be determined by its specific nature and scope as well as other factors like your location within the city and your contractor's level of experience:

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?

While it is important to ensure that the services offered by your intended window contractor align with your specific needs, it is equally important to confirm the types of window brands they work with. Doing this increases the chances of your new window installation or old window replacement project turning out satisfactorily. Several popular window brand manufacturers offer products that are readily available in the San Diego area, and they include:

• American Vision Windows
• The Window Factory
• The Pelletier Company
• Del Mar Glass Inc
• Picturesque Windows
• Integline Windows and Doors
• Pella Corporation
• California Deluxe Windows
• Milgard Windows & Doors
• Ply Gem Windows & Doors
• Veracity Windows & Doors
• Cascade Windows
• J & A Windows
• Sierra Pacific Windows
• Simonton Windows
• Alside Excalibur
• Anderson Windows & Doors
• Jeld Wen Windows
• Kobi's Windows $ Doors

Using well-known window brands for your window installation and replacement projects has several benefits, such as:

• They are made with high-quality materials
• They are generally tried and trusted locally
• They are readily available in a wide variety of attractive and reasonably priced designs and styles

However, it is important to take the following features into consideration when contemplating the right window brand to choose for your project:

• Compatibility with the interior and exterior finishes in your home
• Safety
• Security
• Ease of operation
• Ease of maintenance
• Ventilation
• Climate control/Energy-efficiency
• Insulation

Special attention should be paid to the warranty options provided by the window brand manufacturer. These options typically include:

• Limited Lifetime Warranties: these are the most common type of warranty offered by window brand manufacturers, and they primarily cover performance and aesthetic defects in the window. Note that the term "lifetime" refers to a specified period determined by the window brand manufacturer, not the homeowner's lifespan or the window itself.
• Lifetime Warranties: these are similar to limited lifetime warranties but typically cover more areas, such as replacement parts for the window
• Prorated Warranties: these types of warranties involve a steadily decreasing percentage of coverage provided by the window brand manufacturer. Under this option, homeowners will have to make higher out-of-pocket payments for replacement parts and other covered areas the older the window gets
• Double Lifetime Warranties: these types of warranties offer coverage for the window for as long as the home where they are installed is owned. In some cases, the warranty can be transferred to the next homeowner.
• Transferable Warranties: these types of warranties offer continued coverage for windows after the sale of a home. This warranty option is useful in maintaining the added value to your home after a window upgrade.

Finally, in addition to manufacturer warranties, you should also ensure that your window contractor offers a separate warranty that guarantees the quality of their workmanship on the installation or replacement job. Take note to properly review and understand any warranties you are given so you do not void their terms and conditions.

How Energy-Efficient Are Your Windows?

One of your top priorities when undertaking window installation and replacement projects should be the energy efficiency of your new or upgraded windows. The US Department of Energy estimates that residents of the San Diego area can save up to 31 percent on their annual heating and cooling costs by installing energy-efficient windows in their homes. Other reasons to consider installing energy-efficient windows in your home include increased indoor comfort, enhanced fade protection for your valuables, and certified and verified performance.

Upgrading your old windows to new energy-efficient ones can also qualify you for local, state, and federal tax incentives and rebates. These incentives and rebates are useful in helping homeowners reduce the cost of installing these windows. You can find available energy-efficiency financing options, incentives, and rebates that are available to residents of San Diego via the following platforms:

• The San Diego Sustainability and Mobility Department's Residential and Commercial Programs webpage
• The San Diego County Housing and Community Development Services Department's Energy Savings webpage
• The California Public Utilities Commission's Energy Efficiency webpage
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website
• The US Department of Energy's Energy Star Rebate Finder webpage

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

Injuries among California construction installation, repair, and maintenance workers accounted for over 26 percent of the fatal work injuries recorded in the state in 2020. Window contractors are frequently at risk for on-the-job injuries arising from collapsing glass sheets, falls from great heights, and cuts and lacerations from shattered glass. As a result, even though general liability insurance is not mandated for window contractors in San Diego, it is always in your best interest to hire those who carry this insurance. By doing this, you are protected financially and legally in the event that your window project directly causes accidents that result in injuries or property damage.

Though San Diego window contractors do not have to carry general liability insurance, they are required by law to disclose their insurance status to homeowners before commencing any residential work in the city. These contractors must also maintain a $15,000 surety bond and ensure that any employees they have are adequately covered by state-mandated workers' compensation insurance, regardless of whether they intend to provide residential or commercial services.

Request proof of insurance and bonding from the window contractors you intend to hire and verify this information with the relevant organization before they begin any work on your home or property. You can also contact the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) at (800) 321-2752 to learn more about San Diego window contractors' required insurance and bonding obligations.