TL;DR: Never pay a deposit on an impact window or door project without a signed, written contract that names the exact product, lists permit responsibility, spells out the payment schedule, and defines what triggers a scope change. A verbal agreement or a sales quote alone is not enough. Review each section below before signing.
What you need
Before you sit down to review a contract, have these items on hand:
- A copy of your property survey or site plan (useful if setbacks or HOA restrictions apply)
- The contractor's Florida license number so you can verify it at myfloridalicense.com
- Any HOA architectural guidelines that govern window or door replacements
- Notes from your estimate appointment listing the products discussed
- A pen and a list of questions for anything that is blank or vague
For context on what a full replacement project involves, see window replacement services and windows and doors replacement.
Step 1: Confirm the contractor's license and insurance appear in the contract
Florida law requires contractors to hold a valid license. The contract should state the contractor's license number on its face. For glass and glazing or general contracting work, verify the number is active before signing.
The contract should also confirm that the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Ask for certificates of insurance naming your property address. If a subcontractor will perform any part of the installation, the contract should disclose that and confirm the subcontractor is also licensed and insured.
Window Guys of Florida holds Florida licenses CGC1518491 and SCC131151139. Any licensed contractor you work with should be equally transparent.
Step 2: Verify exact product identification
A contract that says only "impact windows" or "PGT windows" is incomplete. Before signing, confirm the contract specifies:
- Manufacturer and product line (for example, PGT WinGuard, CGI Guardian, SIW, or ES)
- Series or model number as listed in the manufacturer's current catalog
- Frame material (aluminum or vinyl) and color or finish
- Glass package (laminate interlayer thickness, tint, or low-e coating if applicable)
- Quantity and size for each opening, or a reference to an attached schedule of openings
- Florida Product Approval number (NOA or statewide approval) confirming the unit meets the wind speed and impact requirements for your jurisdiction
For an overview of the brands we carry, see the hurricane impact windows page and hurricane impact doors page. Product approval details must be verified against your specific project scope.
Step 3: Check permit and approval language
In South Florida, impact window and door replacements typically require a building permit. The contract must be clear about who pulls the permit, who pays the permit fee, and what happens if the permit requires revisions.
Look for language that:
- Names the responsible party for obtaining the permit (usually the licensed contractor)
- States whether permit fees are included in the contract price or billed separately
- Explains what happens if the jurisdiction requires engineering letters, signed and sealed drawings, or special inspections
- Addresses how HOA architectural approval, if required, affects the project start date
If the contract is silent on permitting, ask the contractor to add a written addendum before you sign. A permit protects you: it creates an inspection record and confirms the installation meets code. See 6 things you need to know before you install hurricane impact windows for more on the permit process.
Step 4: Read the scope of work section carefully
The scope of work section should describe, in plain language, exactly what the contractor will and will not do. At minimum it should cover:
- Removal and disposal of existing windows or doors
- Preparation of rough openings (stucco repair, wood buck replacement if needed)
- Installation method and fastener pattern reference
- Interior and exterior finish work (caulking, trim, painting touch-up)
- Whether window coverings, blinds, or interior shutters are the homeowner's responsibility to remove
- Debris removal and site cleanup
Anything not listed in scope can become a change-order dispute later. If the salesperson verbally promised stucco patching or blind reinstallation, make sure it appears in the written contract before you sign.
For detail on what a thorough installation process looks like, see 8 tips to ensure a flawless impact window installation.
Compare impact-window options for your project. Request a free estimate
Step 5: Scrutinize the payment schedule
Florida's construction lien law (Chapter 713, Florida Statutes) governs payment and lien rights on residential projects. A fair contract payment schedule typically ties each payment to a verifiable milestone, not just a calendar date.
A reasonable structure might look like this:
| Milestone | Typical payment trigger |
|---|---|
| Contract signing / deposit | Permit application submitted or materials ordered |
| Product delivery | Confirmed delivery of windows and doors to job site |
| Installation complete | All units installed and passing inspection |
| Final punch list | All finish work and cleanup confirmed by homeowner |
Be cautious of contracts that require more than roughly one-third of the total price as a deposit before materials are ordered, or that tie large payments to vague milestones like "project start."
Also confirm whether the contract includes a Notice to Owner (NTO). Under Florida law, subcontractors and suppliers who are not paid by the general contractor can place a lien on your property even if you paid the general contractor in full. The NTO is a required disclosure that informs you of this right.
Step 6: Identify change-order and cancellation terms
Scope changes happen. A window that does not fit as expected, a rough opening that reveals rot, or a product that is discontinued mid-order can all require changes. The contract should define:
- How change orders are documented (written and signed by both parties before work proceeds)
- How change-order pricing is calculated
- What constitutes a material change that allows either party to cancel
- The cancellation fee structure, including whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions
Florida's three-day right of rescission applies to certain home-solicitation sales contracts. Ask the contractor whether your transaction qualifies and confirm the rescission deadline in writing.
Step 7: Review warranty language
Contracts should distinguish between the manufacturer's product warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty. These are separate coverages.
- Manufacturer warranty covers defects in the window or door unit itself. Duration and transferability vary by brand and product line.
- Workmanship warranty covers the installation: water infiltration at the frame perimeter, fastener failure, or sealant failure due to improper application.
Confirm the workmanship warranty term and whether it survives a property sale. Ask what the claim process looks like and who the homeowner contacts first.
For an example of questions worth asking before committing to a product or contractor, see 5 things to look for in new impact windows.
Common mistakes
- Signing a blank or partially completed contract. Never sign a document with blank fields, expecting them to be filled in later. Date, price, and product fields should be complete at signing.
- Relying on a verbal promise. If the salesperson said something important, it belongs in the contract. Courts and arbitrators generally enforce the written document, not the conversation.
- Ignoring the lien disclosure section. Skipping the Notice to Owner disclosure is one of the most common ways homeowners face unexpected liens.
- Paying large deposits by cash. Use a check or credit card so you have a payment record. Keep copies of every receipt.
- Not verifying the license independently. The license number in the contract should be checked against the state database, not just taken on faith.
Bottom line
A contract that names the product precisely, assigns permit responsibility clearly, ties payments to milestones, and defines change-order and warranty terms gives you a documented basis to resolve disputes. One that is vague on any of these points creates risk before a single window is removed.
If you are comparing estimates or ready to move forward on an impact window or door project in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, or St. Lucie County, request an estimate to receive a written proposal you can review against this checklist. Questions before that step can go through the contact page.
Compare impact-window options for your project.
Request a written estimate that identifies the quoted assembly, opening, design pressure, product approval, exposure, installation scope, and applicable project requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is a deposit refundable if I cancel an impact window order after signing?
Refundability depends on the specific contract terms and how far the order has progressed. If materials have been ordered or cut to size, the contractor may have legitimate costs to recover. Review the cancellation clause before signing and ask the contractor to explain exactly what portion of the deposit is non-refundable and at what point.
What is a Notice to Owner and do I have to sign it?
A Notice to Owner is a disclosure required under Florida's Construction Lien Law (Chapter 713, Florida Statutes). It informs you that subcontractors or suppliers who go unpaid by the general contractor can place a lien on your property even if you paid the general contractor. You do not typically sign it; the contractor or subcontractor sends it to you, and you should keep a copy for your records.
Can a contractor start work before the permit is issued?
In most South Florida jurisdictions, structural work such as removing and replacing windows and doors requires a permit to be issued before work begins. Starting without a permit can result in stop-work orders, fines, and difficulty selling the property later. The contract should specify that work begins after permit issuance, not just after permit application.
How do I confirm the product approval number listed in my contract is valid?
Florida Product Approval numbers can be searched through the Florida Building Commission's Product Approval Search at floridabuilding.org. Enter the NOA or statewide approval number from your contract and confirm it is active, that the approved wind speed meets your local requirement, and that the approval covers the specific unit size being installed.
