The order is the point where planning becomes a commitment, so review it against everything you have already decided. Before you sign, confirm the final window schedule, who is responsible for each part of the work, and the contractor’s written payment, cancellation, delivery and warranty terms. After installation, check every opening against that schedule and keep the documents you will need if something goes wrong later.
Orders and payments are made directly with the contractor. Tulsa Online Windows does not take orders, hold deposits or schedule installations, and this checklist does not create terms on any contractor’s behalf. It lists what to ask for. It is not legal advice.
Before you order: review the final window schedule
If your windows will be made to order, resolve discrepancies before production begins. Ask for the final schedule in writing and compare it, opening by opening, with your own record and the accepted proposal.
| Check | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Every opening is listed | Identifiers match your record; nothing added or missing |
| Verified dimensions | Taken by the contractor or supplier for this product and method |
| Configuration | Operator style, operating direction and which units are fixed |
| Product | Manufacturer, series and glass package match the proposal |
| Documented ratings | Certified values for the exact configuration, rechecked if glass changed |
| Colors and finishes | Interior and exterior, as approved |
| Grilles, hardware and screens | Pattern, finish, locks and screen type |
| Installation method | Insert or full-frame per opening |
| Room requirements | Any bedroom or other function the installer and authority have confirmed |
If anything differs from what you approved, ask why before signing. A change can be legitimate, but it should be explained and accepted in writing. If you documented rough sizes earlier, remember they were preliminary; the verified dimensions govern, and the proposal should say who owns their accuracy. See the measurements and photos guide.
Confirm local approvals are settled
Do not place a non-returnable order while a permit or preservation question is open. The City of Tulsa lists same-size, same-location window replacement as work not requiring a permit, but changed openings and broader remodels need their own review, and historic-preservation approval is a separate process. Ask who is obtaining any required approval and keep the record with the order. The Tulsa permit and historic-window guide covers both checks.
For a home built before 1978, confirm how lead-safe work practices will be handled before any painted surface is disturbed. EPA consumer guidance.
Ask for the terms in writing
Ask the contractor for the proposed terms in writing, including:
- Payment schedule. How much is due at signing, at delivery and at completion, and what event triggers each payment.
- Cancellation terms. Whether and until when you can cancel, and what happens to amounts already paid once products are ordered.
- Lead time. The expected timeframe for manufacture and delivery, stated as an estimate, and how you will be told about delays.
- Product changes. What happens if a specified product, color or option becomes unavailable, and whether a substitution needs your approval.
- Change orders. How hidden damage or scope changes are documented, priced and approved before extra work proceeds.
- Who does the work. The business responsible for installation, and whether any part is subcontracted.
Ask for written cancellation terms and get advice on any rights that may apply to your agreement. If financing is offered, review its full written terms separately from the project scope and cash price.
Prepare the house for installation day
Ask the installer what they need from you rather than guessing. Typical questions:
- Which rooms and window areas need to be cleared, and how much space around each opening?
- Should window coverings, blinds and hardware be removed beforehand, and who reinstalls them?
- How will floors, furnishings and landscaping be protected?
- Where will the crew park, stage materials and put debris?
- What access is needed for pets, children and alarm sensors?
- How will the house be secured if work continues over more than one day?
- How will you be told about hidden conditions found during removal, and who can approve changes on the spot?
At the final walkthrough
Walk through with the installer present, using your opening identifiers.
- Open, close and lock every operable window.
- Check that each unit matches the schedule: style, color, grilles, hardware and screens.
- Look for glass, frame and finish damage.
- Review interior and exterior trim, sealant and patching against the agreed finish scope.
- Confirm debris removal and cleanup.
- Ask for any care, cleaning or operation instructions for the new products.
- Record incomplete items on one dated list, with photos and the agreed next step.
Keep the warranty records together
Request the product warranty and any installer workmanship terms separately. Their coverage, duration and claim contacts may differ. ENERGY STAR notes that some product warranties require installation by a manufacturer-certified installer, so ask whether that applies to your product. ENERGY STAR residential windows.
| Document | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Signed agreement and final schedule | What was ordered and installed, per opening |
| Product warranty | What the manufacturer covers, conditions and how to claim |
| Installer workmanship terms | What the installer covers and for how long |
| Product identifiers | Labels, order numbers or series details needed for a claim |
| Approvals and inspections | Any permit, preservation or lead-safe records |
| Before, during and after photos | Condition evidence, including concealed work if provided |
| Contact list | Who to call for product and for installation problems |
Store these with your project brief. If a problem appears later, report it in writing to the right contact with the opening identifier, photos and the date you noticed it. “Lifetime” or any other warranty headline is not a substitute for the written terms.
Where this fits
This checklist is the last stage of the complete buying guide. Before you get here, use comparing window quotes to reconcile proposals, and read how the online-to-installation process works for the handoff between online planning and the contractor.