Posted: 7/5/2006 5:42:41 PM EDT
| Anybody here deal with West Coast Vinyl for replacement windows in their home? My house is 18 years old and the old aluminum window sweat in the winter, plus a couple failures. Any recommendations for new windows? |
They butchered my house. Run away, FAR away. |
+106 on this one. I saw PCR-00's house both before and after the West Coast Vinyl job. Stay far away from them if you want the job done correctly. I think PCR-00 should post a few pics to show you what they did to his house. |
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I replaced mine myself. Took a long weekend (three days) last year to replace two old aluminum windows, add trim and overall finish. Of course, I'm not a pro and just do home improvement because I like and helps remodeling my house feasible. It was easier than I thought and I'll be glad to exchange ideas (or even some help) if you wish. By the way... not wanting to hijack the thread. I need references of subcontractors for my home remodeling. Need folks for: - framing - plumbing - electricity - roofing - painting/drywall (one that can also do plaster finishing over drywall) Main job consists of demolishing old stairway and walls, adding new stairway, new addition (bedroom) new bathroom and related jobs. I'm willing to work also but because of my job only have weekends and evenings or some short vacations for special projects. Thanks in advance. |
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Thanks for all the responses. I'll certainly keep your home in mind PCR. (Congrats on the marriage) I'm having a window guy come over this Saturday to give me a quote. I'll get a total of at least 3 proposals before making my decision. Having a heat pump and new furnace installed this weekend also. Who wants to look at an empty wallet? |
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Well I didn't get around to taking pics, but I can describe the work. They showed up 2 days late They used crowbars to yank the old windows out. Without using any kind of brace or padding. This did the following: Dented/destroyed window sills Dented/destroyed window trim Dented/destroyed window frames Dented/destroyed siding on my house I was first told that the trim was not their problem. They were only there to put the windows in. I complained They sent the same two guys out to "fix" the problem. This consiseted of wiping some putty in the holes and leaving I complained More half assed repairs I told them to get the fuck out of my house. A year later, they call at 8am awaking my then pregnant and always bitchy ex wife. Asking how we like our windows. She let them have it, mentioned the word lawyer. They sent out some guys to "fix the problem". This consisted of putting in some raw wood to replace the damaged trim, frames, sills, and siding. they then left. Wood unpainted. HUGE globs of silicone all around the windows. I told them to never come back. Had I been in a better financial situation, I would have complained, etc. Chalk some of that up to being a young and dumb new home owner. I have learned that if you want something done right, do it yourself or have someone you know do it for you. |
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PCR - Appreciate the insight to your window install. I'll certainly be on the defense with this company. They probably won't have a snowball's chance to be awarded the bid knowing what I know now. I have lots of experience working with contractors so I'm going to read over the fine print closely. Thanks again... |
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Who was your sales guy? the fat guy that is the brother/relitive of the owner? West Coast came to give me a estimate and I offered the sales guy something to drink while talking about windows.All i wanted was an estimate to compare with 2 others I had gotten. But the guy was dense or something as I kept politely giving him signs that it was time for him to go. The guy would not leave!! he wanted the deal right there!! I hate hard sell and even if he had the best price I would not buy from him. The guy I that Champion sent out was 1st class. Jim is his name. the guy on the radio commercial. Easy going and non pushy. The estimate was about 10% more but he explained the why and what the differences were betwwen the good and the bad windows. I will most likely go with them |
I just had Statewide do my windows and two sliding doors. They did a good job and had a good product. I had a slight problem with one window and they were here the next day to check it out and explain how it was operator error  It was spendy though as I got the 50 year + triple paned krypton-filled quad welded frame dealys (the sales gal was showing cleavage  )
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They installed the wondows in my house and broke one while putting it in. They did come out and replace it and did a good job to their credit. In my old place I installed new windows in the place on the weekend with my cousins help. It was rather easy and I saved a considerable amount of money after looking over the bids I got. I would recommend it. Neither of us had ever installed windows before. |
Where abouts do you live? My mom's ex does this for a living for Atrium Windows (used to be Best Built Windows but they were bought out), I found their website, but its under construction. There is a contact us page for you to put your info in for a call back. Atrium Windows |
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I went thru my power company (Snohomish County PUD) to get financed for new/more efficent windows, 12 windows and 2 sliding doors, most pwr co's have a program to help you, they give you application and list of window co's that are approved for there program, you contact co's of your choice, get them to come out do the sales pitch and bid proccess. then you decide which co to go with. after paperwork is done company schedules job, PUD rep then came out afterwards and inspected there work, made them touch up a couple of spots w/ caulk. then after pud is satisfied w/ work PUD sends the money to them. I was very happy with it. Of course there are a couple of qualifiers to get on the PUD program (heat system runs off electricity (heat pump) rather than natural gas), old single pane or double pane w/ aluminum frame etc. good luck. |
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Received two bids for window replacements, to date. Neighbor up the street works for Certain Teed. He helps another guy who has a business installing windows. Watched him do a couple installs in the neighborhood. I should have a price from him Tuesday. Washington Energy Services came by Saturday. Sales guy was great, no pressure to buy, great demonstration and professional. Price was higher than I expected for their "Signature" line of windows, which is their better product. West Coast Vinyl is stopping by this Friday. I'm going to explain to the guy I'm doing comparitive shopping at this point and will be making a decision next week. I hope he isn't a high pressure sales guy because my wife doesn't like it when I throw people out of the house.  Had a heat pump (Heat and AC) and new gas furnace installed Saturday. Love the central A/C in the house. Better than the window A/C units. Crew of two guys had the entire job completed in about 10 hours. Installation job looks great. They couldn't do the electrical work so I agreed to perform that work. (Sure glad they knew what I needed to do  ) (Didn't want to hire an electrician) Went to the L&I website for a permit....and get this, it all works! Thanks for all the feedback. |
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Replaced four windows in my old house with Millgard windows for a whopping sum of under $400! There is a little store in Black Diamond. I think it is called Millwork Outlet or something like that where you can buy brand new windows rather cheap and put them in is not all that difficult if you are able bodied and not totally lazy. |
Never hurts to ask. Coulda been a goodun.  FWIW, I'm starting a slight&light remodel today that involves replacing a window with a new sliding glass door, and then a deck with stairs. The pay is horrible, ($zilch.00 per hour), but it'll be a nice surprise for my aunt when she gets back from her vacation. Free how-to classes for anyone who wants to show up and pack lumber for me. Hours are Coffee:30 until Beer:30. 
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carefull ODT, my wife and kids went to an out of town wedding (I had to work) I surprised Them by redoing my 3yo daughters bedroom, wallpaper,paint,wainscoating, molding etc. then next time she goes away I gutted and started to redo a small bathroom (still had some finish work left when she got back) NOW I'VE SET A DAMN BAD PRECIDENT! (so, no more trips for her if I can help it.) 
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At that rate, within a few years, you'll be expected to install a small lake or golf course the next time she runs down to the grocery store! LOL, thanks for the proper warning!
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| They got half done yesterday and should finish putting them in today. They are scraping the shit out of the inside sills. Don't know if they plan of fixing it or even really how thay can without painting the whole thing. The windows look nice but SO FAR not too impressed with the install. We'll see tonight. |
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Thanks for the update 2WP. I'm not expecting a 100% perfect installation myself. I'll probably have to do some touch-up painting when they're complete. But I don't think, nor should you, that refinishing the window sills is something to be expected. But then again, I never had window installed. Appreciate the info... |
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OK, they are finished. Had 16 windows and a slider door put in. All but a couple are going to require anything from minor touch ups to major fixing of the inside wood. Also they broke or otherwise could not reuse the trim in front of the old slider door which is off a pergo wood floor so they used a new piece of wood, which is obviously not stained to match the floor. The outside looks really good though. They had to cut the siding 2 inches around the old windows to install the new ones so they now have a trim border around them that actually looks really nice. The trim is primerd but not painted. We are painting the house in August anyway so that is not a problem for us. So I guess over all, I would rate the windows about an 8 out of ten. They are very nice but nothing fancy. I was not at home but Ladybug told me the installers were nice. They did a decent job cleaning etc so I would give them an 8 also. The install itself, well there just is a lot more damage than I thought there would be on the inside. For that I will give it a 5 although like I said, they look great from the outside and the windows themselves look to be installed correctly. Again, this was Northwest Window and Door. YMMV |
Well none of you clowns showed up, so I had to pack my own lumber. It's OK, my old man showed up to lend a hand, and we always enjoy working together. (coincidentally, our cocktail hours start at exactly the same time too  )I forgot to take any pics before giving the keys back, so you can't see the drywall work inside, but here's the rest. The electrical that ran under the window was a pain, but overall, it was a fun project. I'm happy with how it came out, and my aunt is in for a hell of a surprise when she returns on Sat.     
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I want to put one of those on the back of my house this summer. What'd the lumber run ya? |
$992.41 inc tax for the lumber package with blocks. The door was $473.?? inc tax. I already had the deck screws and much of the other misc stuff for the electrical, drywall, etc., but it was roughly $1500 for everything. |
Blah Blah Blah....... You've been wanting to do that for as long as I've known you.
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I finally selected a contractor to do the work. Estimates were all over the place. I only have 9 windows and an 8 foot slider in my small 1500 sq. ft. 3 bedroom house, but estimates ranged from $3,900 - over 8K. Not much difference in products either. Obviously I went with the $3,900 bid as this is my neighbor who does this on the side with his licensed contractor buddy. Good for me I have a neighbor who does this... Thanks all for you suggestions and recommendations. |