Good news first: preparing for window installation is genuinely easy, and a professional crew handles the messy parts — protection, tear-out, cleanup, haul-away. But a prepared home lets the crew work faster and protects the things you care about.
Here's the checklist we send Twin Cities homeowners before installation day.
Inside: clear the work zones
For each window being replaced:
- Remove curtains, blinds, and drapery hardware (unless we've agreed to reinstall them, leave hardware labeled).
- Clear a 3–6 foot working area in front of each window — furniture slid away, breakables relocated.
- Take down wall décor near openings; removal vibration can shake frames and shelves.
- Clear windowsills completely — plants, décor, electronics.
- Disarm window alarm sensors and note which windows have them so wiring can be handled properly.
Outside: give the crew a path
Trim back shrubs or move planters blocking window access, unlock gates, move vehicles to leave driveway space for the crew's trailer and material staging, and put away tripping hazards like hoses. In winter, a shoveled path to each side of the house is a genuine help. Nothing needs to be perfect — accessible is the goal.
Kids, pets, and daily life
Installation is loud in bursts and involves open wall openings, sharp debris, and repeated door traffic. Plan for pets to be crated, gated away from work zones, or off-site — an open opening plus a curious dog is a bad combination. Kids should treat work areas as off-limits. You don't need to leave home; most homeowners just pick a room away from the day's work sequence, and we'll tell you the order rooms will be done.
What the crew handles (so you don't have to)
A professional installation includes floor and furniture protection in work paths, dust control at each opening, removal and haul-away of old windows and debris, vacuuming work areas at day's end, and a walkthrough of every window — operation, locks, and screens — before we leave. If anything isn't right, installation day is exactly when to say so.
Questions before your install? JMB Builders keeps one point of contact from measure through final walkthrough. Free estimates across the Twin Cities metro: 763-204-2099.
