In Pittsburgh, Energy Swing Windows has the reputation for responsible replacement window installation

Affiliations - Professional affiliations are a way for a contractor to constantly learn about their industry, keep current on industry trends, connect with other professionals in their field and lend credibility to their business. The following is a list of professional affiliations your contractor could be a member of:

      ·     Consumer Protection Agency - Check to see if the contractor is registered with a consumer protection agency like the Better Business Bureau.
·     Patent or Trademark Registration - If the contractor designs and manufactures his own products, the company is required to register with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
·    Industry Certification - Check to see if the contractor is a member of an industry organization such as The Certified Contractors Network.
·     Trade Organizations - Check and see if the contractor is a member of a trade organization such as the National Association of Home Builders or a Local Builders/Remodelers Association.
·     Local Chambers of Commerce - On a local level, you can check and see if the contractor a member of a local Chamber of Commerce.
·     State Recognition - Another place to check a companies reputation is with the state because contractors register within the state they do business.

Specialist versus Generalist Go straight to a contractor who specializes in what you need. This will assure you get the best individualized solution to your problem from an expert in the field. Choosing a generalist to do your home improvements is a bit more risky because you, as a homeowner, need to be more educated on what you want and have an eye for what you expect to get.