Key requirements and Expectations

This line of work is not "easy". Some jobs and some aspects of it can be, yes. But overlooked details or incorrect approach can turn even the simplest of jobs into a nightmare or even worse an injury or lawsuit. Installing a window is basic in most applications. Removing the old window is where a hundred different scenarios come into play. Wrapping or capping the window with aluminum generally takes most people a while to hone their skills and is arguably the most mentally demanding element of this job. But learning how to run a siding brake is absolutely a requirement and a skill you won't ever regret having. It lends itself to so many other applications, it's a very valuable trade skill. Installing any type of window or glass on a first floor is obviously the most common but even that isn't always straight forward, not every house has perfect flat ground where you can just stand and work comfortably.

That is where the 2nd most demanding element comes into play and that is Ladder work. You have to be comfortable on a ladder and capable of achieving the same finished product as an easy 1st floor window. There is just no avoiding it so you must be comfortable with heights and physically capable of moving and setting up at least an 18 foot extension or combo ladder for average 2nd story jobs.

3rd on the list of demanding requirements that come with this job is caulking. This is not always straightforward either and can ruin the entire installation and make a serious mess or worse cause a leak if not applied correctly. I have had to let go of more guys for sloppy caulking and missed caulking than any other offense, no question. This can take time to build the right fine muscle groups for control of your gun and again anything that is easy standing on the ground is going to be harder on a ladder. That might affect caulking almost more than anything because you often have to move the ladder several times to get your body into a positions where you can achieve the range of motion required to apply a clean even continuous bead everywhere it needs to be.

4th on the list of introductory general forewarning should be an obvious one but just in case you aren't aware, you will be outside all year round. The weather is no joke these days, deadly heat and storms are far more common than when I started cutting my teeth in this business and it will burn you out quickly if you aren't coming to work prepared. Sweating through 2 shirts is just a normal July and August workday. Most installs are going to have you showered in dust and debris unless you are tearing vinyl windows out of a more modern home. So have your hat on, wear long sleeves, simple stuff like that. The right gear is all you need. Cold weather is not a problem unless it's extreme freezing temps but even then we really just can't work around siding in those cases because it's more likely to crack. You will have to use different sealants in freezing temps. Some stuff will freeze or be harder to work with but there's a workaround to every problem and every season. The work is almost always possible as long as you keep yourself outfitted to be comfortable and follow instructions for your sealants. Sweating a lot and freezing temps are just the extremes but most days ( 7-8 months out of the year) in between the dead of winter and summer are really nice. When the breeze is blowing and it's a beautiful day and you get to be outside just soaking it up and enriching people's lives with good work that will stand for years and years to come. It can be a deeply fulfilling career.

However you must remember, with this job you will be working in peoples homes and the utmost care must be taken to not damage their property or leave any trace of the installation behind. Being methodical with drop cloth set up as well as clean up practices is how you become the person that everyone loves to recommend. It instantly puts people at ease and it's the opening mark of a professional. Also the more educated you are the better you will be able to communicate with your customer so they can understand your approach and what is happening and they can feel confident leaving you in peace to do the work. Dealing with people is a big part of the job, even if it's not your company you are the face that day.

 A typical day usually begins with picking up the windows if you work for any number of local companies, or hopefully having them delivered if you are running the job. So picking up windows at the warehouse in the morning, loading windows into the customer's home, confirming sizes and staging the work areas with drop cloths for any necessary furniture and flooring. Running solo a good installer can finish 1 average window front to back with wrap and clean up in 80 minutes, give or take. A 2 man team is the most common and will obviously speed things up. At the end of the job, you have to load up the debris and haul it to an off site dumpster. 9 out of 10 companies have you pick up your windows early in the morning from a warehouse and that is the same place you bring your tear out back to dump at the end of the day. Window replacement is not the type of job that usually warrants dropping a dumpster on a customer's driveway. I have personally never done that but working for house flippers you do get lucky sometimes. But driving to the dump or dumpster is just another part of the gig. Long days or early mornings sometimes but it's a means to an end. The money is absolutely there to make. Unlimited opportunities all year round and you can take these skills anywhere in the world. If you do this methodically and safely you can do it for 40 years, clear 6 figures every year and be doing it with less time and money invested than any other trade. Some guys are charging $1500 for a window and they are getting it, no problem.

Other trades that require a license also take years of school, and tens of thousands of dollars and then years climbing the ranks at a company to even break 6 figures anymore, if that. Window work is a happy little gray area that people don't think about as a cash cow but believe me it's there. You rarely have to pull permits and there is no license or certification that currently exists in Missouri. No hoops to jump through and you can be done with most jobs in a matter of days. You have to get your LEAD license to work on houses pre 1978 but that is just an easy one day course on dust containment basically. Plenty of guys just risk it and don't get it but serious companies will require it and if you are caught working without it you can be fined up to 38k. Your worst jobs will almost always just be ease of access related. Sometimes there are multiple flights of stairs, sometimes it's a fixed top window or something really heavy and awkward, or you can't get a ladder on the outside of it and you have to hang from the inside out to seal or wrap the window. Overall I would say I have had more good days than bad ones and it has absolutely afforded me a lifestyle that is comfortable. More than enough to raise a family and still be able to save for retirement and it's meaningful work that truly is life changing for people. If you take care of your body you can do this into your 60’s. Especially if you have a laborer.  Tear out and moving the windows and ladders around is typically the most physical aspect. This is all specific to window installation but if you choose to take the full course you can acumulate a wealth of knowledge beyond that and still make great money doing doors, glass and repairs and never really have to touch a brake or tall ladder. It’s totally up to you how much you want to make and how hard you want to work. Personally I found it helpful to be capable of all these trades so you don’t burn yourself out doing the same thing every single day. It’s nice to have an easy day just popping in some glass, making $500 in a few hours and going home. When you make good money and you aren’t running the hourly rat race you don’t have to work yourself to death all day every day. So there, that is your basic summary of what to expect in this line of work. No sugar coat, just my honest take after hundreds of thousands of hours logged.