Replacement Windows

Yes had the same problem. I'm a single mom and everyone wanted to take me for a ride. I'm having clarkson window and glass replace mine. Jim the owner was the only one who came to my home was able to tell me what windows I had in my home and refused to sell me a new slider in the back because he said it did not need to be replaced at all. He got my trust right there. Their pricing was great too.

cammie

We did Wallside several years ago and love them. The one problem we had, they came out & fixed right away. I didn't like Hansons' attitude at all when we talked to them.

I can understand, we're going through something similar with roofing. The one guy that came out was such a whiner!

My sister had several estimates for windows, including small and big companies. She ended up going with a small company that custom made the windows...their price was about the same, or less than the big companies, but they did a better job. She lives in Dearborn, so nowhere near you, but if you want, I can find out who she used.

D.

L H,

I would suggest checking out www.angieslist.com. It is a great website dedicated entirely to user reviews for local and national companies.

We needed gutters installed on our house and looked into Hansen's. They wanted $4,000 for 2 short, simple runs; 2 longer runs with elbows; and 4 downspouts!

My husband and father just installed our new gutters last weekend for $300 and about 12 hours worth of work. They look great and should last for years!

I would suggest looking into smaller, local companies if you and your husband want a professional to install the windows. Stay away from the national chains, most of their money goes toward paying the walking advertisers.

Good luck!

-C..

We didn't replace windows ourselves, but I share your frustration with the smarmy and pushy salespeople. We had the same experience. We ended up going with Pella. We really liked our salesperson. I liked the way he just told us about the product and left it at that, letting the product speak for itself. We told him that we were just getting estimates (like we told everyone else), so he didn't push trying to "make the sale". He left us his card and wished us luck making our decision. In fact, we liked him so much that we called him back and gave him a deposit before he pulled out of our driveway.
Pella was a bit more expensive than Hansons, (or maybe it was Wallside, I can't remember), but it was worth it, I think. And we couldn't be happier with our new picture window. So, if you're still thinking of going with a company, try Pella. Our saleperson's name was Dan Boudrein (I may have spelled that last name wrong).
Good luck!

LH,

I don't have experience with self installation but I can sympathize with your dread of the salesmen. I went with Wallside because they didn't try the salespitch, they took measurements, gave me my options, listened to my concerns and provided a quote. I had wanted to go with Hansens but I couldn't deal with the salesguy - sexist and annoying. We have had our Wallside windows for about 4 years now and are very happy with the quality and service.

If you decide to have any of the windows installed, I'll put another vote in for Wallside. We had our windows installed in January 2000 on the coldest day of the year. The crew replaced all 16 windows in our house and they did it all in one day. The crew was very friendly and did a very good job of cleaning up after themselve. We had a problem with one window and they came out and fixed right away.

I helped my step-dad not only replace existing windows in my home, but also install two where there were none. As long as he's got some good strong help and sound instruction, he'll be fine. Have him pick up Home Depot's book, Home Improvement 1-2-3. It's absolutely priceless for every homeowner!!! Good luck!

Try Knoll Construction and ask for sales representative Mickey. I plan to get new windows next year and this is who I will go with.
Good Luck!
C. H.

My husband is a window installer/service provider and he thought that if you were going to some of the bigger companies, that might be why you were disappointed. He suggested maybe trying some of the smaller companies. There is a company called John's Lumber that is in Shelby and Clinton Township that is family owned, and that might be a good place to try. Or, really any place like that. I know alot of sales people are probably going to be more pushy than usally because everybody just needs the work so bad right now. But, you might at least find that a smaller company like that is going to be more trustworthy and have people that are more friendly and more experienced.

We had a big company who offered windows with a lifetime guarantee do the front of our house. For the sides and back we just ordered the windows from Lowe's and had a friend install them, saving THOUSANDS of dollars. Honestly, you can't tell the difference, and the thermal/warmth factor is equivalent. As far as the lifetime guarantee, we can replace the windows from Lowe's many times over for the cost from the window company. Lowe's has good quality. Before signing with any company, have your husband look on the internet/home improvement magazines on how to properly measure and install, and if he thinks he can do it, I say go for it. Especially if he's willing to just try the one or two windows first and see how it goes. Labor cost is a large part of the expense. After ordering the windows, it only took about two weeks for Lowe's to get them to us. Good luck!

I have to let you know. My husband and I are sorda in the same perdicament as you. We moved inot this house 4 years ago. We got burnt on a window company about 2 years after we moved in we finally settled out of court last year. The name is performance windows. They gave a us price and than knocked a couple thousand off and all. We called them 24 hra which really wasn't 24 it was more like 12 hrs later and cancelled the order no one ever came out and measured or anything and they tried to say we didn't call and that we never cancelled than he came back out and through another free bee thing at us and got us to rethink but than we still cancelled but by than it was three days later so when we signed the reciept and took it to them they said we didn't cancel in enough time it was a big mess. So BE VERY CAREFUL. Now you said you was going to go with Hansens and than changed? If you don't mind I like to know why. We have about 4 windows that are bad. One of them may fall out. My husband says hes going to redo them. Where in his spare time we have four kids trying for another? Come on when!!! SO I want to get windows from someone too but I don't want to be over charged either. My Husband thinks its going to be easy to pop a window out fix it and put it back. Our wood arounbd the windows has mildew or mold on it and therre rottenout the birds peck at them. I don't see it lol!!!!! But if he wants to let him. I know theres window companies out there there resteration window places you could check with them thats what I want to do if he won't get vinyl. I also heard from a couple people that First choice windows are very reasonable and decent. Good Luck and please keep me posted on what you guys decide and if you do go with a window company how you like them and how they are. I would appreciate it. Have good day!

I work for a family owned lumberyard/homecenter in Rochester, it's been around for just about 100 years. We have fabulous salesmen and women to help you. If you'd like our information I will gladly pass it along to you. Our installers are awesome, we had our entire upstairs windows replaced while I was at work, came home and had no idea they were even there. I think you can respond to me through here.

Do NOT - I repeat do NOT go with Hansons!!!! I have seen suits against them and their work is shoddy at best!! And that is if they even finish the job!!! Then they put a lein on your house!!!

My husband and I had Wallside windows come out. The sales manager is Steve - yes it is a Detroit company, but I am SOOOOO happy with my windows and their service department is the absolute BEST!!! I have NEVER felt uncomfortable with anyone they have sent to my home! I even had them come back and put an additional 9 ft slider in my kitchen! They are beautiful and their workmanship is exemplary!!

**Note...when they put my windows in - it was the absolute coldest day of the year!! And not one complaint from the crew!!

My husband replaced all the windows in our home. It's a BIG job, but he's "that" guy. If he can do it himself and save the money, he will. We bought Andersen windows through Home Depot and they're great. Tell your husband I think he's wise to try the two and see how it goes. My husband did ours in small groups so as not to get too overwhelmed with the project (and to spread out the cost.) Plus, many of our windows were a standard, readily available size, so we only needed to custom order a few. Keep that in mind with the "custom made" window thing. They're jacking the price of a window they've made a thousand times and telling you it's "customized" for your home.

So glad we went this route. I also met with several window companies and hated the sales approach. I had the same horrible experience with Empire for carpeting. Do all these guys go to the same sales school? Yuck! I kicked every one of them out the door and felt like I had to take a shower after.

Good luck with your project. You can do it! L.

We have replaced several windows ourselves. We purchased Jeldwyn windows from Home Depot. I will not say it is the easiest to do, but with a little advice and some assistance, I think you husband can do it. Home Depot guides you on measurement. If they are small, then it is not too cumbersome to handle. I can relate to having a salesman come out. The Wallside company sent out a man who told us we had to decide immediately. I sent him packing.

If you decide not to do them yourself, I would HIGHLY recommend Apel Building Products out of Rochester. We had them do most of the windows in our house last year. They sell Marvin window - which are on par with the Andersen and Pella brands. I LOVE my new windows!!! The sales rep was also the company owner - Greg Apel. He was personable but not pushy, and not smarmy in any way. Greg delivered on every promise that he made to us, and his installer was courteous and left the area better than he found it. I can't say enough about the great service that we received from them, and I tell everyone who asks about windows to check them out. You can reach them at ###-###-####.

Good luck!

We used Hanson's and I would not recommend them. They care more about the sale than the person.

Good luck!

I would stay away from Hanson's for sure - that guy is a sleeze! A friend recently lost his job and thought he would give Hanson's a try - it was a job. After a couple of days of "training" he quit - they are taught to make a sale "at any cost" - doesn't matter if they are honest or not.

Good luck!

Not sure where you are located but we purchased vinyl windows from Iversons in Milford (lumberyard). They were from a Canadian company (its been awhile and I can't think of the name). They buy the same glass as the expensive guys (like Anderson)and have higher requirements for the structural content than the US. The price was only slightly higher than Wallside with more options,etc, and no slimy sales guys. For installation, they can probably refer you to someone. We used the contractor that was also doing our siding. Any lumberyard, building company will have a variety of window options (more than Home Depot, etc). Good luck!

Yes, a couple in my dogs' room. Got them at Home Depot. If your hubby has a knack for this sort of stuff then the simple single windows on ground level should be easy. But I would go with Wallside, Hanson's, or Weatherguard or Majic. Why? They come out in teams, can work together to get the bay windows in or know how to do a second story window. They're insured, and you get a guarantee with them.

Salesmen a smarmy. Yes. It's part of the package. They have to go about it as if you don't know anything and they have to somehow convince you. It is smarmy sometimes and annoying as heck. But it's their job and there's a way they've been trained.

I would suggest that you call Caswell Window & Door and have Roy Caswell give you a quote. His # is ###-###-####. He is professional, courteous, reputable & trustworthy. His company installed windows for me 3 years ago & I was delighted. Based on my recommendation, he has also done windows for 3 of my neighbors and they were all equally impressed. In fact, my next door neighbor has his company coming out to do work for them this month. Please let him know that Barb Armstrong recommended his service. I think you will be impressed. Good luck.