As a home improvement contractor, there’s no shortage of window manufacturers to choose from. The window manufacturer you select as your partner now will impact your business long into the future.

Explore every window dealership opportunity that comes your way. Then, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which manufacturer to choose as your partner. Plus, you’ll become a window dealer that provides quality products that meet customers’ expectations. 

What to Look for in a Window Manufacturer Partner

Before you partner with a manufacturer, consider all your options carefully. Here are 10 factors to consider:

1. Products

The best partner offers customizable windows. This manufacturer provides an extensive collection of products in dozens of styles, colors, wood grains, laminates, grids, and glass. On top of this, their replacement windows should blend beauty, craftsmanship, durability, and security.

2. Energy Efficiency

Choose a manufacturer that offers windows that meet ENERGY STAR 7.0 criteria. These windows provide a “significant jump in efficiency and savings,” according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson Doug Anderson. In fact, if all residential windows and doors sold nationally were certified to Energy Star Version 7.0, more than 53 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be avoided every year, Anderson said.

3. Customer Reviews and Ratings

To get a good idea of what customers say about a manufacturer, check out reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, Architectural Digest, and Consumer Reports. These highlight how customers feel about a manufacturer and its products. They also show you how well a manufacturer and its products stack up against the competition.

4. Customer Service

Find out if a manufacturer has a dedicated customer service team. If you have questions, this team will be ready to answer them.

5. Dealer Testimonials

Along with customer reviews and ratings, look at a manufacturer’s dealer testimonials. These come directly from dealers and give you firsthand insights into what it’s like to work with a manufacturer.

6. Marketing

Your partner should provide an online store, dealer portal, samples, agency discounts, and other marketing tools and resources. That way, using these tools and resources to promote your windows to homeowners and drive sales will be easy.

7. Warranty

Partner with a manufacturer that offers a solid warranty. Otherwise, you risk working with a company that sells windows that fall short of what your customers want. Even worse, if these windows are defective, they’ll hurt your reputation and revenues and cause you to lose business to your rivals.

8. Turnaround Time

If you place an order, how long will it take your partner to fill it? Your manufacturer should offer competitive lead times, ensuring you won’t have to wait too long to get shipments.

9. Delivery

Your partner will deliver the products you need when you need them. It’ll let you track your orders in real-time and make sure that they’re completed on schedule and on budget. 

10. Pricing

Compare the prices of windows from different manufacturers. Because what you charge customers for window replacement depends on the products you offer and the labor and materials associated with them.

Partner with an Experienced Window Manufacturer

Choosing a manufacturer partner that’s just getting started may be more trouble than it’s worth. By selecting a manufacturing partner that has a proven reputation and plenty of industry experience, you’re in a great spot. 

Your partner will do everything possible to help you achieve your business goals. And you’ll be able to get replacement windows that your customers will enjoy now and in the future.

SoftLite has nearly 90 years of experience in window manufacturing. We offer superior customer service, custom dealer programs, a transferable lifetime warranty, and more.

Contact us today to become a SoftLite dealer.