My windows suck. They are drafty, single-paned, and hard to open. Some time ago, I got the idea to get replacement windows and called Long Windows after seeing their advert for $179 a window. Before they arrived tho, my brother said he got his windows for about $200 a piece and were happy with them. So naturally, I expected a window to be about $200 a piece. So this sales person from Long Windows shows up late, looking unprofessional, and starts making awkward, irrelevant conversation and a really slow sales pitch. I asked him if we can cut to the chase and get prices, so he goes to measure one of the windows. Then he goes on to tell me that I have to get the exact same windows I have now (brown sliders) because I live in Reston (a planned community). I proceeded to ask him for a quote the kind of windows I wanted (white double hung). He continued to lecture me on Reston Association policies even though there are houses just like mine in the neighborhood with white double hung windows. By now I was getting annoyed and told him to let me worry about getting permission to get a different style and to just give me a quote. The sob then blurted out "$1500 a window". My response to him was "get out." I couldn't be bothered to call up another window company after that.
Fast forwarding to the present, I decided to start up my window project again. Now that I'm married I've been in this home improvement mode a bit. A new bed and sofa are some of the other upgrades we made recently. We're loving our Stearn & Foster mattress. The RoomStore couch not so much. But back to windows. This time I called up Thompson Creek Windows because the local radio station kept promoting them. The sales associate this time was much more professional. I was also requested ahead of time to set aside an hour and a half to listen to their presentation so I patiently listened to the pitch. Occasionally I had to push through parts that I didn't care to go into details of. Had I not, they would've been here much longer than the hour and half. They started off with a quote about as ridiculous as Long Windows - close to $8000 for 6 windows about 47"x47". However, these guys supposedly had the most superior windows ever. They've thought about and addressed every imaginable problem a window could possess. These were the most ideal windows one could possibly get. Oh, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. I waited for them to add all the discounts in for a final price of $5000 something. Still my husband kindly reminded me that we lived in a distinctly average house and that we didn't need the Mercedes of windows. Even after the final show down price of $4300, $700 a window seemed a bit much. I politely apologized that it wasn't in our budget and sent the guy on his way. I felt a bit bad at first that the guy wasted 2 hours of his time, but then again, he apparently makes over 6 figures selling these over-priced windows so my sympathy didn't last very long.
Slightly bummed I hadn't found my windows guy, I decided to do the smart thing this time and consult checkbook.org. I picked out a few companies in the area that had high ratings and settled on NOVA Installations after a friend recommended them also. These guys ran a small family operation and were no bull type of people. This time my husband listened to the pitch in my stead, which apparently lasted all of 6 minutes. Apparently he could tell no difference in quality between the window they pitched versus the window demonstrated by Thompson Creek. Their quote was $2500 total for the 6 windows. These windows also qualify for the energy tax credit and come with lifetime guarantee. I don't have the new windows installed just yet, but am looking forward to them a lot. I don't expect any surprises or disappointment, but will be sure to post if I'm wrong. I'm also going to get rid of the ugly blinds I've had and put curtains up on some windows. Who knew I could get so excited over windows.
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