Stained glass: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering stained glass

Stained glass is a design and craft business where the drawing, the glass choice and the joint work decide the quality of the panel. Your win is showing the homeowner the process and the samples so they trust a custom piece.

What customers ask

  • Can you work from my design, or do you design it for me?
  • How long will the panel take from the drawing to the install?
  • Will the panel fit my existing frame?
  • Do you use lead or copper foil, and what is the difference?
  • Can you repair a cracked piece without remaking the whole panel?
  • How do I clean and care for the glass?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the panel is for, where it will be installed, how much light it will get, and whether they have a design in mind, so you bring the right samples.
  • Bring glass and came samples to the visit, and show the homeowner how the light changes the color of each sample.
  • Measure the opening on the site visit and photograph the frame, the sash and the light exposure, so the panel is sized right the first time.
  • Put the design approach, glass types, came type, finish, installation and repairs in the quote as separate lines.
  • Draw the full-size pattern and get the homeowner's approval before any glass is cut.
  • Explain the lead-or-foil choice and the ventilation and cleanup steps you follow, so the homeowner knows how the panel was made.
  • Send a closeout packet with the design drawing, the glass list, the finish used and the care instructions.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished panels and installations that show the design, the light and the joint detail
  • Glass types and came types you use, including opalescent and textured glass
  • Types of work you take, such as new windows, doors, repairs and freestanding pieces
  • Service area and whether you install the panels yourself or work with an installer

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly check of the panel's frame, glazing and joints, since loose joints show up as bowing or rattling.
  • Suggest a cleaning and care visit for older panels, to keep the glass clear.
  • Recommend a repair plan for panels that show cracks or loose joints before they fail.

Licenses and permits

Stained glass work is commonly done by independent artisans and glass studios, and the craft itself does not usually need a special license. Installing glass in a building can fall under glazing or contractor licensing, so check your state and local licensing and building office requirements before you bid.

Questions

Do I need an installer's license if I only make the panel?

Making the panel is different from installing it in a building. If you set panels in windows or doors, check your state and local licensing rules for that work.

How do I handle a repair that exposes weak frame wood?

Stop, photograph the damage, and send a priced change order before you remove more of the frame. Repair the frame before the panel goes back in.

How do I explain lead to a customer?

Describe the materials you are using, including the came and the solder, the ventilation and cleanup steps you follow, and the copper foil option. Be direct about what the panel is made from and let the homeowner decide.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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