There’s much to consider when you take on a huge renovation project that includes gutting a 2-story interior, replacing every window, replacing and redesigning the kitchen and bath, a partial basement renovation (and possibly a half bath addition), rewiring, and of course, since the home was purchased “as is” (and sat vacant for more than a year), bracing for the unexpected.
Step One: The Renovation Budget & Timeline
We designed our Renovation Budget to include Projections, Estimates and Actual Expenses. Categories include big ticket items like a complete kitchen install with appliances, to smaller fixes like lighting, paint and permits. Our Budget is $25,000 for the entire project (excluding landscaping and a new driveway), but unfortunately our Projections came in $3,200 over Budget. We’re already in the red and we haven’t even unlocked the front door yet. With a four-month Timeline, we have no time to waste on this Renovation Reality.
Step Two: Estimates
We decided to start with Estimates for our biggest Projected Expense: replacement windows, which we Projected to be $6,000. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted beige widows to give this overhaul a more classic feel. Having never worked with a window replacement company, I began online with a Google search for “replacement windows in Erie, PA.” About 15 Erie and regionally-based dealers gave me a good starting point. I scheduled a consultation with the top four companies I’m most familiar with: Deniziak Windows & Siding, Window World, Inc., Seaway Manufacturing and Thermo-Twin Windows. The first three respectively scheduled an in-home consultation, while the fourth priced the job by only viewing the property from the outside. Interesting twist, but I didn’t argue since each consult, on average, took just over an hour.
Step Three: Dissecting the Bids
Deniziak Siding and Windows was my first appointment. My sales guy Myles was pleasant and concise. While he counted every window, he took no measurements and did not advise me of the potential dangers of lead-based paint and how that might affect our window removal process. (Federal law requires contractors to be certified and follow specific practices in the removal of painted surfaces in all homes built prior to 1978 ~ this home is circa 1939). Myles did offer me a Military Discount, but was quick to say he could approve the $1500 price reduction even if no one in my family qualifies. So, points scored for offering a Military incentive but major points lost for cheating the system. For the record, we did legitimately qualify - my husband is an Army Veteran serving in both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Myles presented me with only one sheet of information on his brand of replacement window (manufactured in Pittsburgh) and bid our job with a Thermal Industry 585 DH brand window, double-paned with double low E and argon enhanced insulation. The Proposal included an aluminum trim cap on each window’s exterior and the option for beige-colored windows (interior/exterior) for an added fee. Install Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks.
Deniziak Price
26 white windows, installed $ 8,376
Addt’l fee for beige $ 838
$ 9, 214
The following day I met with Jim from Window World, Inc. My consultation was concise and informative. Jim left me with several Window World catalogs and brochures and began our consult with an actual lead paint test on a kitchen window. He gave a brief demonstration of the security features and cleaning capabilities of the Window World 4000 double hung window, and explained that his company offers stock pricing on this line of window. At $189 per window plus shipping and handling (totaling $200/window), window measurements weren’t necessary. Window Word adds $35/window for the beige-colored (interior/exterior) option. Install Timeline: 6 weeks
Window World Price
26 white windows, installed $ 5,200
ComfortWorld Solarzone Glass Option $ 2,054
Custom Exterior Trim $ 1,690
Addt’l fee for beige $ 910
$ 9,854
My third consultation with Seaway Manufacturing came with all the bells and whistles of an iPad product demonstration and enough literature to wipe out a small forest. (Buyer Beware: it also came with an eight page Seaway customer list arranged by zip code, so if you purchase from Seaway - your name and address is handed out to every prospect). My sales guy Al was informative, but his consult was the most consuming taking up nearly two hours of my time. Most of Al’s time was spent measuring windows and testing a kitchen window and sash for lead paint. His product demonstration included a brief lesson on his product's screens (according to Al, a high-quality screen will not bend and screen quality is directly related to window quality). Seaway windows are manufactured in Erie and installed by Seaway employees (no subcontractors). Al bid our job at 22 two-coats Low E & Argon Energy Star Qualified double hung windows, but, unfortunately, Al missed four windows in his tour through the home (we have 26 windows total). Seaway charges an additional fee should the existing windows contain lead paint. The Proposal included an aluminum trim cap with a brick bend reveal on each window’s exterior and a beige-colored window (interior/exterior) for an added fee. Install Timeline: early January 2012.
Seaway Manufacturing Price
22 white windows, installed $ 10,764
Lead removal fee $ 1,296 ($65/window)
Addt’l fee for beige $ 4,400 ($200/window)
$ 16,460
*Note: this Proposal does not quote the entire job, which is 26 windows total
Since I didn’t personally meet with a representative from Thermo-Twin Windows, I can offer no insight into their sales presentation. Thermo-Twin’s Emailed Proposal included all labor and material to remove & haul away 26 windows in compliance with the EPA Lead Renovation Regulations. Pricing included 23 (interior and basement) Series 600 white vinyl single hung window (the top sash only slides up and down and does not pull in, which makes cleaning more difficult) with ½ screens and 3 Series 600 white vinyl hoppers with full screens (attic). All window openings would be wrapped with fiberglass insulation, capped on the exterior on all wooden areas and caulked with high-grade 100% silicone caulking. Although I asked for beige windows, pricing for that option was not included. Install Timeline: Not provided.
Thermo Twin Price
26 white windows, installed $12,000
Step Four: Sorting Out the Bids
To help sort out the Proposals, I ranked each company in terms of what made the most sense for this project: Price; Quality & Value; Delivery, Install & Warranty; Personalized Service & Belief in Product. Since we’ll likely flip or rent the property, price reigned supreme. In terms of Quality & Value, each company offered welded windows (higher quality than glued and screwed), and each offered a lifetime window replacement warranty with a similar install timeline, so I called it a wash. Only Thermo Twin did not include an additional price for beige windows and chose single hung windows rather than double.
I went with my gut to rate Personal Service & Belief in Product and ranked each supplier based on my salesperson’s follow up method. Jim from Window World followed up with me in person at my office one week after our initial consultation. Myles from Deniziak called me four days after we met. I told him I had several questions and I would call him back later that afternoon; we didn’t connect and he never called me back. Al from Seaway never called me once. Paul from Thermo-Twin called immediately following his submitted Proposal and again a day later with an offer to resubmit his original proposal based on a few minor changes.
As expected, choosing the best supplier to fit our needs proved a tough decision especially since the lowest Proposal came in $3,000+ over our Projection. After a weekend to mull it over, John and I made our decision. We know what we’re going to do (I’ll let you know next time) but for now, ask yourself – who would you choose?
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