We have needed new windows since the day we moved in...3 years ago. But other fix-it items were higher on our list. Insulation, new electric panel, HVAC tune up, pool resurfacing (now thats another tale of woe...don't get me started), patio redo, flower beds, painting, new ceiling fans, etc.
Another reason why we put it off was because of cost and amount of researching we had to do to find the right company. We HAD TO BE SURE that it was a reliable company. So we did what anyone would do, asked other people in our neighborhood who they used, asked for recommendations on the Residents of ______ ______ Facebook page, etc.
We had the Andersen windows rep stop by but the cost was prohibitive...like buying a new car! We checked with Home Depot good prices but heard horror stories about the installers. Then had the Window um... Planet rep, Window Wanda, stop by and we liked the windows and the rep. Heard good things about them from people in the hood. So that is who we went with. The measuring appointment went smoothly, the windows were made and the install appointment set in a very timely manner.
Feb. 24th - They came out for the install while the Hubs was out of town on business. I think this was a mistake but hubs said to get it done instead of waiting until he got back. Grrrr. Two male installers and a female assistant showed up. She covered everything with drop cloths and kept things picked up in the yard while they removed the old windows and installed the new. I think they were here about 4-5 hours.
We were supposed to have 11 windows installed but they discovered the 3 that went in our bay window were not made the right size. The mgr confirmed the measurement was right, just not the manufacturing of the window...a data entry error when keying in the order form. Sigh. I was just happy to be getting them so I didn't get worked up. I mean, what else could I do, they were the wrong size and the crew / mgr reassured me that they would get re-ordered, made and installed in no time. They put our old windows back in and sealed it up. Ok.
They bay window that didn't get done.
Looks so much better than the old aluminum windows!
More expensive, more substantial, better quality.
Excuse the faded black shutters....next on the fix-it list. :)
And repainting the house, and.....
Our rep told us at the first appointment that someone would be out to check the install. NOPE. No one came out that day, no calls, nothing.
Days go by....I got busy, husband got back from his trip and was super busy. Then I noticed that the caulking on the inside needed to be touched up. Our rep said to call the service dept to schedule a service appt. Well by that time we were going into Spring Break so we decided to waiting until we returned from our OKLA trip.
Minor seperation right?
Well, there were major rain storms while we were gone! I'm sure there was horizontal rain!
March 16: I happened to be walking around the house checking out the newly sprouting plants when I noticed this.
Our son's window was missing caulking from halfway down to the bottom of the window. Its like the guy got interrupted and then didn't finish the job. I hate to think that rain got between the window and the brick.
I called the service dept to get someone out to fix it, they tried to put me off until the next week...when our bay windows are to be installed. I explained to her that we had more rain coming in 2 days and needed it done the next day. She told me they didn't have anyone available. WTF?!
I demanded to speak with a manager. She had him call me back and he told me that someone would be out the next morning to fix all the caulking that needed it. He said, "if water got in, you would have noticed it by now." Didn't seem too concerned. Grrrr.
I also texted Window Wanda (because that was our mode of contact at this point) and she said "sorry she didn't get back with us before we left on our trip, we were out of town, then she was, then she was sick". I briefly told here what was going on. She apologized again for not coming by. By this point I'm like, Whatever.
March 17: No phone call from Window Planet. No service person calling to say they were on the way to fix the windows. Nothing.
3:30pm: The hubs called Window Planet and asked for a manager. Was told someone would be out tomorrow. Sound familiar? While he had the guy on the phone, I had opened LM's window to remove a bar code sticker and saw that a metal piece had come off the sash of the window. REALLY?! At this point I'm about to lose my Schmidt! The hubs tells the guy and he says the tech will fix it tomorrow.
This is what was in our front yard. I know its hard to find ALL the glass that may have come loose from the old windows but geez! I almost never wear shoes while running around the front yard doing stuff.
Glass!
I'll keep you posted on whether or not we hear from someone tomorrow.
We didn't go with the cheapest quote or the cheapest window. And other people had better experiences with the same company. You just never know what to expect.
* * I forgot to add! The Window Planet mgr called 2 days after the install to ask if they could start our financing! Seriously?! I told him that our contract states that financing starts AFTER the install is completed and since we are still waiting for 3 windows, they will have to wait. SO THERE! ☹️
