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How much does it cost to have our windows replaced? Can someone give the location of a replacement so that we can see how they look? Hopefully you get your answer Brian - I'm curious to.
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
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I just had Sierra Window Concepts come to our unit for a free estimate and demonstration. Let me say, I'm not pleased.
Their product is really nice! Lower sound, better UV protection, double pane, good quality stuff. The problem is with their policies. To make a long story short, Sierra enforces their minimums of installing 3 windows at once (or 2 windows and 1 sliding glass door). I was originally told that replacing just the 2 windows would be a less expensive alternative. In the end, it will cost $3500 to replace the 2 windows and sliding glass door. I think it was around $1500 for just the 2 windows. We don't get to choose the trim color either!
I personally don't think this is fair for the homeowners. There is only one approved window vendor, one approved style, and only one purchase option. What if you want only one window replaced.... $3500? I think we need at least one more vendor. Marketplace competition is good for the buyers!
There are a lot more "interesting" bits to this story but I'd rather not go into that now.... Maybe at the assoc. meeting.
I've emailed and called Charity several times to try and talk to her about this and have not heard back from her.
Ouch, thanks for the info gman. Cyrus, from what I recall I've seen 2 places with these windows in building J and 1 in building F, all facing Wellington.
From what I understood I thought that we had to buy from Sierra Window Concepts but we could have any licensed installer do the work. I think SWC is trying to pull a fast one on us.
Thanks for the info Brian, I'll check it out.
Yes, Cyrus, We can have anyone install the windows. But I'd have to imagine that it would be more expensive to have a 2nd party do the install.
I never received a copy of the quote from SWC so I don't know how much they charge for installation.
Here are the facts from someone who married to a member of the architecture committee:
Sierra Window Concepts is an approved vendor. That means that if you use them, your application will be on the "fast track" to approval. However, you can use ANY vendor/manufacturer you want as long as you can demonstrate that their windows will look uniform to the approved style from the common areas (for example, some manufacturers -not Sierra- offer windows that are almond on the outside and white on the inside). Applications to use other vendors/manufacturers other than Sierra take a little longer to review, but they are usually approved. I know Milgard has been approved in the past for example.
The architecture committee decided that to maintain our property values that the replaced windows should have a uniform color. Unfortunately, there is a corner unit in the H building that had their windows replaced before the committee was formed and the resident chose white trim instead of the approved almond color. After comparing the two available colors, it was decided that the almond color blends better with our Spanish architecture than the bright white. If you want to see what the approved window style looks like, there are several units throughout the complex with replaced windows - A15 and A1 are just two that I can think of off hand.
want to add that once approved that your chosen vendor/manufacturer will be the one doing the install. There's no need to involve Sierra at all if you don't wish to use them.
If I recall correctly, you can get another company, but the architectural committee has to approve them and their product. I also agree that there shouldbe two or three preapproved options for residents.
I am the architectural committee. Some of the information posted here is not accurate. Windows that have been replaced by Sierra Window Concepts are in Units A-1, A-15, R-10, & H-16. The winodws in H-4 have been replaced but not by Sierra Window. Obviously H-1 is not Sierra Winodws either. Here is the deal. Sierra Window Concepts is the exclusive pre-approved vendor for window replacements. You are free to use other vendors, the committee will review those applications on case by case basis. H-4 was approved & the owner did use Milgard windows. H-8 has also been approved, I believe the owner is using a company called Win-dor. All we ask is that an application is submitted so the committee can ensure uniformity or close to uniformity through out the community.
Sierra Window Concepts has advised they will replace only the slider door if one wants, but they will do not do just one or two windows. This is a choice they have made as a business pracice because they feel it is not cost effective or profitable for them as a company to come out, do a sales presentation, have an install for only 1 or 2 windows. This is their choice and it was based on them doing a nmber of presentations and having potential customers not being so enthusiatic about the price, wanting to bargain etc. Sierra was chosen because of their quality product.
Monterey Villas, is in no way responsible for the way they do business, but as a committee and a customer, we continue to beleive they offer incredible value and quality for the product. The Committee chose this company as a pre-approved vendor over a year ago. Competition is fine, you are allowed to use other company, it is just that we know what Sierra has and do not knwo what may be there for others which is why those applications are reviewed on a csae by case basis at the monthly committee meetings.
CORRECTION!!! Line 1 of the last post should read
"I am ON the architectural committee"
NOT
"I am the architectural committee"
sorry I was overzealous in my typing
Also Sierra Window Concepts has one price, the price for the windows does cover installation as well. They may however charge a fee for removal and reinstallation of blinds, personally I took off and put back on my own blinds, but as I understand it, that fee for blind removal is subject to negotiation with the installer.
Cyrus,
I know you cannot control what people say but having a policy that allows anyone to post anything they want has both its negative and positive impacts. Something to think about. Not all information poseted will be accurate.
Sincerely,
Footballrules
I hope what I have posted on the last 3 comments clears up some misconceptions about SWC. For the record Charity, cannot just make one call & have all policies changed just to suit the whim of a particular resident.
I do agree we need lighting fixed & there are other issues, but perhaps when some one calls her, they can also post here, so others know the issue was addressed and then if it is not handled timely, we would all have a legitmate gripe about getting things done.
I had a hard time dealing with Sierra Window Concepts...they install Anlin Windows they don't make the windows themselves so you can contact any authorized vendors for Anlin Windows
To make a long story short, call American Window Visions 888-565-0008, I had them come out and saved two hundred from the price SWC estimated, I did have to submit a change request to HOA for $30 which is such a waste since they have already approve the Anlin windows.
My advice is to not deal with SWC, look for another vendor that installs Anlin windows.
As I was walking around last night I figured out I definitely had the building letters wrong, sorry about that cyrus.
thanks to the arch. committee for clearing this up. Hopefully we all can find some good alternatives to SWC that can benefit everyone.
mashimel27
It is true that the winodws Sierra Window Concepts installs are manufactured by Anlin. Any body wanting to put Anlin windows in their place would also have fast track approval. Once an application has been submitted with the one time $35.00 fee there would be no need to resubmit such a fee if one were only slight tweaking their application. In regards to the the price, when I had my windows done American Vision wanted to charge me about $1,500.00 more than what Sierra charged me. I suppose prices can change with seasons, the economy or supply & demand. I also felt that Sierra was more knowledgeable about the product than was American Vision. Different xperiences for different people I suppose.
Glad that we're getting somewhere with this, I was hoping that everyone could post the company, contact info and general price of who they've contacted for window replacements.
Anyone know if the replacement windows can be a deduction or credit when doing taxes?
I'm not a CPA but I do believe you can get a tax credit for replacing your windows with energy efficient windows. I think for the 2007 tax year I can get a $500.00 tax credit. I am unsure what it would be for 2008.
I had Sierra Windows Concepts do my window replacement after getting three different bids. I had issues with the SWC salesperson's presentation since what he told me during the presentation wasn't the same as what he told me when it came time to sign the contract. There was a bit of bait and switch going on in my opinion. For example, I specifically asked whether the SWC window could be white on the inside and almond on the outside and was told yes. This was not true. I was highly annoyed, but did find their product to be superior than the other companies so ended up going with them.
The installation of my windows was superb. The workmen were on time, cleaned up after themselves, and it only took three hours for four windows and a sliding door. It cost me just under $4000 for the entire package.
In sum, D for the SWC salesperson, and A for the installer.
The 2007 tax credit for the windows required you have them installed by the end of the year. No such credit has been enacted for 2008, but many think it will be passed at some point. However, as of today there is no tax credit for year 2008 yet.
I was a bit put off by the salesman of SWC also. He's part of the reason why I don't want to do business with them.
I definitely think that it would be better if the costs and payment depends on the project. We're planning to contact this San Francisco window replacement contractors, they have free consultations and lifetime guarantee on their services. The windows are factory-finished so there will be no mess inside the house.
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