I have a subscription to Today’s Homeowner magazine.
Not that I read Today’s Homeowner. To do so might imply that I would actually undertake one of those attractive, do-it-yourself projects of which the magazine is chock full. No, I just like to look at the pictures.
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One thing I do know about avid Today’s Homeowner readers, though, is that they are as helpful as their periodical. If you go to the Today’s Homeowner Web site, you will find bulletin boards full of every kind of home improvement question and answer.
When the Savvy Spouse and I started Wishing for Windows, as part of the Possible Impending Marvelous Move of Steve–PIMMS for short–we didn’t realize how many choices there would be. Every brochure or flier that came to the door seemed to contain at least one home improvement company that offers windows in its lineup.
As a veteran of many National Association of Home Builders’ conventions over the years, I have seen all kinds of stunning and beautiful windows. All the big names–Andersen, Pella, Marvin–bring out their best for the Builders Show. The manufacturers are trying to dazzle the builders and win big contracts, so they tend not to put on display the kinds of windows the average owner of an aging home would consider.
The price of windows can be all over the board. Full replacement aluminum windows might be $250 apiece, installed. Vinyl windows have a wider range. If you are adept at construction, you can pick up serviceable windows for $150 at Home Depot. Most contractors can price installed vinyl windows anywhere from $300 to $600 each. Wood windows, either vinyl or aluminum clad on the outside, represent the most expensive option–$700 and up.
But according to the readers of Today’s Homeowner, all-vinyl replacement windows are the sure winner. They are easily custom-molded in any size, are durable, energy-efficient and virtually maintenance free. They can be colored inside or out, including the addition of a wood trim interior look.
But how to choose the contractor?
When I wrote several months ago about the Trials of Tuckpointing and the missed contractor appointments, I got a very sympathetic e-mail.
“I do agree that the biggest problem with contractors is trying to get them to keep their appointments,” Marketing Marla wrote. “But we are here to change that. Although now and again things do come up–for instance, another appointment runs long–we really do pride ourselves in keeping our scheduled appointments.
“By the way, we would love to come out and give you an estimate on your windows. Is a weekday or weekend better for you?”
It takes courage to put your company in the line of fire. And it didn’t look especially smart when Vinyl Vic missed our first appointment–although he did call and explain that, true to the letter, the owners at his earlier appointment had been 45 minutes late. So, for the second go around, we agreed we would be the night’s first stop (whereupon the Savvy Spouse, proving the letter’s point again, herself ran late, but not so late as to necessitate a rescheduling).
Two hours after he arrived, having given a heartfelt pitch for his manufacturer’s specific brand of vinyl replacement windows and his own crews’ expertise in installing the same, Vic left with us saying we’d get back to him within a week after getting other estimates.
In truth, I had been sold on Vic early on. I was trusting an instinct and once again pretty much ignoring all the advice I always give about getting estimates, investigating previous jobs and customers, etc.
You see, Vinyl Vic is a man who believes in his windows. And that as much as anything was what convinced us to believe in Vinyl Vic.
We signed the purchase agreement three days later. The next week, George the Measurer came by to calculate. George, who exudes an Old World craftsman air, was a reassuring confirmation that we had chosen wisely. No oddity of the bungalow threw him, not even the ancient window above the defunct ice door off the back porch.
As I write, I await the arrival of 16 new windows and two crews. By the time you read this, those Windows should be Wishes no more. But check back next week.
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