Subcontract Window Installer

Window dealers, remodeling firms, and general contractors that need extra installers.

Paid per window or per door installed, or by the day. Steady work from one or two firms keeps your schedule full.

• Carpentry and trim work
• Fitting windows accurately and neatly
• Reliability and time-keeping
• Working safely at height

• Contractor license or registration rules for subcontractors, which vary by state, so check your state licensing board
• EPA lead-safe (RRP) certification may be needed for pre-1978 homes, and some firms require it
• Worker classification: check IRS rules on being an independent contractor versus an employee
• Depending on one or two firms for most of your work is risky, so line up a backup
• Payment terms and callbacks for rework, so confirm them before starting

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the tools and setup you need. Treat this as an estimate, and confirm what dealers and remodelers expect you to bring before you buy equipment.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many hours you work and how steady the work is. Relying on one or two firms for most of your work is risky, so line up a backup.

Check contractor license or registration rules for subcontractors in your state, and whether EPA lead-safe (RRP) certification is needed for pre-1978 homes. Also check IRS rules on independent contractor versus employee status, and confirm payment terms and callbacks before starting.