NH_s2k_Guy

Has anyone done replacment windows in their home recently?

I got an estimate by a highly recommended company on Friday and am curious
as to what people think about it.

They would be doing 10 double-hung windows. Windows are Gorell 5100 Series.
Dual pane with argon gas fill, Low-E coated glass, vinyl clad inside and out,
built in slide down screens, rated
at a .30 U-factor which qualifies for the $1500 tax credit. Gorell's products are
highly rated and did not find one negative rating on any of the websites I checked
out that had people that installed this product. All windows and doors are built
to order custom, nothing coming from some warehouse that has been sitting.

They would also be doing a picture window and what I call a french door but they
call it a "2 panel in-swing door"...one side is fixed and the other swings in.

All doors and windows come with a 50 year warranty on the glass, sashes, vinyl
frames, glass breakage (regardless of cause), any part and accessories used
and LABOR! The warranty is also transferrable. They also guarantee a fuel
savings.

The company guarantees the lowest price in New England or they will beat it
by 10%. They were very up front about thir pricing with no gimmicks, guaranteed
that the cost quoted will be all I pay even if they find problems when pulling the
old windows and door, which could be the case with the door because I get frost
on the bottom of the existing door so there could be wood damage.

The estimate was $7200. Also included is disposal of the old windows.

Here is their website http://www.ritewindow.com

What do you think? Does this sound reasonable?

zzziippyyy

Mark, it sounds high but maybe because of the warranty. But how long have they been around and will they be there in the future to guarantee it?

8 windows top should be about $300 each installed for $2400. Double pane vinyl windows are pretty inexpensive actually its the labor that runs the $.

The picture window well thats up for discussion I paid $4000 for mine installed you saw it so you can go from there. Do remember ours is custom made and finished in oak.

We did 7 windows, 3 entry doors, 2 screen doors, 1 patio door and 1 picture window and i will tell you we paid more than that installed.

As far as the door Hard to say we paid $3700 installed for our door again custom made going to the deck and you have seen that one.

So with that info it may help you make a decision.

Good luck and a guarantee that your going to save fuel is pretty bold, do they tell you how much and pay the difference if you dont save it?

NH_s2k_Guy

Sorry Dave I made a mistake it's actually 10 windows not 8.

Here is the breakdown...each window is $389 installed.

The picture window is $459 installed.

The door is $3000 installed. The door I'm having done is bigger than yours
but again 1 side is fixed only 1 side of it opens.

They have a A+ rating from the BBB. They've only been in business since 2007
but come HIGHLY recommended from a very good friend of mine that is in
construction.

zzziippyyy

Well that sounds like a deal than but only due to the warranty on the windows. Be damm sure it is in writing and you can use it if need be.

NH_s2k_Guy

It's all in writing I'm looking at it.

I could throw a frying pan through the door and they fix it free.

My current door has sagged to the point of being able to see light
through one corner and the door isn't even 20 years old. They said
if that happened with their door they make it right, even if they have
to replace the entire unit and it would be free.

NH_s2k_Guy

The 50 year warranty is higher than any other company I found during
my research. Typically it was 5 years.

I'm a big believer in doing large ticket items like this once and given
the warranty on the entire job including labor, I will never
have to do windows again in my house.

zzziippyyy

But that is exactly what scares me off from this deal, 25 years maybe but no vinyl window made is going to last 50 years. they will crack and dry out in that amount of time. also with the economy 50 years is a pretty bold position to grab for any company.

But the price is not horrible so it does not sound like a bad deal, i am just being a stickler for that warranty.

Triple-H

I paid about $2,700 for 6 windows almost exactly like the ones you described 3 or 4 years ago. My order was 5 double hung and one slider, double glass, low E, argon gas.

To establish a fair analysis is tough because everything effects the cost, window size, window location, complexity of change, and just so many other variables.

I don't think the 50-year warranty is all that odd, the number is really high, and very few people will be in the same home for 50-years and often the warranties are based upon the home being owned by the same person. 50 is a big number, it's advertising, the law of average is very few people will ever make a claim after even 25-years, but some people are drawn into that big number like moths to a flame. The manufacturer has very little to loose making that kind of claim, and it does indeed give off the impression the windows are top notch quality.

I think the only way to get a handle on this estimate is to get an estimate from another contractor selling a comperable window.

Good luck!

Conedodger

Kind of like buying auto parts at Autozone. I swear the parts with the lifetime guarantee are the same parts as those without.

The interesting part is Autozone charges twice the price up front so that they can give you a free replacement later.

NH_s2k_Guy

The warranty specifically addresses peeling, cracking and drying out and that
is all covered. So if they don't last 50 years then I'll get new ones.