How Do I Prepare My House for Replacement Windows?

When replacing your home windows, your focus is primarily on big-picture things like picking the right windows, hiring a reliable team of installers, and scheduling the installation. Now that all of that has been taken care of and the project date is nearing, you may be suddenly wondering if there’s anything that needs to be done in preparation for the big day. Your window contractor should handle all of the big tasks on the day of the installation—like removing the old windows and cleaning up—but if you want to be sure you’ve got everything else covered, here’s a to-do list with any steps that might be necessary to prepare your house for your replacement windows.

1. Deactivate Alarm Systems

If you have a home alarm system, your windows are most likely connected to it. Save everyone’s ear drums by remembering to disconnect the alarms yourself or make an appointment to have your home security company come out and disconnect the alarms ahead of time. Just don’t forget to reconnect them after your new windows are installed!

2. Remove Anything From the Walls

Chances are you’ve probably got curtain rods, pictures, shelves, or other décor hanging on the walls near your windows. If you’re able to, it’s best to take them all down and store them somewhere safe before the installation. This ensures that nothing will be in the installation crew’s way and you won’t have to worry about something falling and breaking.

3. Protect Nearby Furniture

Move any furniture that you can out of the way of your windows by at least a couple of feet; you’ll want to give the crew plenty of room to work. However, if there’s anything that can’t be moved or might be extra susceptible to dust or debris, be sure to protect it with sheets or drop cloths.

4. Cut Back Landscaping

Are there any bushes, trees, or shrubs right outside of your windows? Window installations almost always require exterior access to the windows as well, so you’ll want to trim all shrubbery back to give the crew plenty of space without getting scratched or attacked by a branch. On the same note, if you have a company that does your landscaping for you, be sure that they don’t arrive the same day as the window installation; ask if they can come a few days before.

5. A Workspace Wouldn’t Hurt

Your installation crew will show up with all of the tools and resources to properly install your new windows, so you may want to designate a separate workspace for them to set up all of this equipment. This can usually be a driveway, but you may also consider blocking off some space in the garage in case of rain or a random temperature spike. This step definitely isn’t necessary, but it can help the installers work more efficiently and better respect your property.

6. Keep Your Family Away

Children and pets can certainly be friendly and curious, so even with the best intentions, they may end up accidentally getting in the way of your window installers. For this reason, it’s best to plan ahead to either keep them in a separate part of the house, in the backyard, or out of the house altogether.

For the full rundown of what to do to prepare for your replacement windows, you can turn to All Seasons Window & Door MFG, Inc. We have proudly manufactured and installed our own replacement windows since 1979, so we are well aware of what homeowners need to do before having us arrive at their properties. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable member of our team.