Most Screen Problems Are Installer Problems
Bad mesh is rare. Bad installation is common. Panels rolled in loose and wavy, the wrong spline size, cheap fasteners that corrode in a year — these are installer choices, and they decide whether your rescreen lasts 15 years or 5. Choosing right matters more than choosing cheap.
The Questions to Ask Every Contractor
- What mesh are you using, and why? They should name the mesh type (18/14 fiberglass, 20/20, pet-resistant) and match it to your panels — not quote one type for everything.
- What spline size goes with that mesh? Spline has to match the mesh and the frame channel. Wrong spline is why panels pop out in the first storm.
- How do you handle the roof panels? Roof work is where quality shows — staging, safety, and even tension across big panels. Vague answers here are a red flag.
- What fasteners and hardware do you use? Near salt water, this matters. They should be choosing hardware for the Gulf Coast, not whatever is cheapest.
- Is haul-away included? Old mesh, spline, and hardware should leave with them. Get it in writing.
- What does the written quote include? Panel count, mesh type per area, doors and hardware itemized separately, timeline, and cleanup. A one-line price is not a quote.
- What happens if a panel fails early? You want a straight answer about how they handle callbacks — not a warranty document full of holes, just an honest policy.
- Can I see recent work nearby? A local contractor should be able to point to enclosures they have done in your part of the county.
Red Flags
- Cash-only, no written quote, no written anything.
- One mesh type for every panel, no questions about pets, bugs, or sun exposure.
- A quote far below the others — it is missing something, usually mesh quality or proper spline.
- Pressure to sign today for a "today only" price.
- They also do roofing, paving, and tree work. Screen specialists do screens.
Comparing Quotes
Line up quotes side by side and check that each names the mesh type, the panel count, what happens to the old material, and whether doors and hardware are included. Two quotes for "a rescreen" can describe two very different jobs. Our cost guide explains what moves the price.
Ask Us Anything
Send us the form — we answer every one of these questions in writing before you agree to anything, and we are happy to explain what competing quotes include or leave out.