Castle Window Installation Review
I ordered nine windows and three sliding doors from Castle Windows about a month ago and, as promised, they were custom manufactured and delivered within a month. I spoke with their installation scheduler last week and scheduled the installation for yesterday, with the crew scheduled to appear between 7am and 9am (they were driving from Mechanicsburg, PA - 2 hours away). Yesterday, they appeared at 8am, windows and doors in hand, ready to get to work.
Just a brief word about the crew, there were two of them, they were Castle guys, and they were consummate professionals. I’ve seen a lot of construction or home improvement companies just subcontract out the work after they’ve secured the contract. In fact, you can make a very comfortable living selling construction work and then, after you’ve secured the contract, subcontract the work out to some other outfit. Castle didn’t. Why would I even care who performed the work? I care because I don’t want to overpay (which you certainly would if they subcontracted out the work) for the work by going through a middleman taking his/her cut.
What surprised me the most was that these two guys (only two!) installed all nine windows and three sliding doors in six hours. This includes removing the old metal windows and sliding doors, disassembling the security sensors, dismantling the molding, installing the new windows and sliding doors, pumped in the installation, caulked the trim, reinstalled the molding, and cleaned up the workspaces (vacuuming with a dry shopvac)… in six hours. Two guys. It was amazing and it was top quality work too.
After I inspected each of the windows and doors (opening each window, testing each latch, sliding open each door, testing each lock), one of the guys ran through the operation of the windows for completeness sake. After that, I signed some papers, shook each of their hands and they were on their way. Overall, I had a great experience throughout with Castle Windows and I’d recommend them.
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There are 15 comments, add your thoughts now!
I’m sure they just put on their best face for a celebrity like you.
You’re a jerk.
I was hoping you would post on your experience with them since you last mentioned getting a quote . I will be replacing my windows in the next few months also. If you would be willing to share how much did they quote you per window?
The total project was $7,000 for 9 windows and 3 sliding doors, all the windows and doors are energy star rated (so I could qualify for the tax deduction). Windows were double hung, argon filled, double paned, and custom made.
I don’t have the exact breakdown of how much were for windows and doors because the salesman messed up and gave me too much of a discount. Basically when they worked the worksheet they quote you a price for windows and doors, removal, etc. and that was for like $9-10k. Then you throw in some discounts, some hand waving, some haggling, and we reached a price of $7k. About a week later the sales manager called me up, told me they would honor the price even though he messed up, but that there were other errors (the salesman said they would be brown on the outside, white on the side; they were solid brown through - which was okay with me) that we cleared up.
That’s weird, I heard they use subcontractors, and all there subs have magnetic signs on there trucks. Full time workers have permanent lettering on their trucks. You must work for Castle or something, I’ve heard nothing but horor stories, that’s why I didn’t us them, and because the sales guy would not give me an estimate since my wife was not home.
You must be some sort of hater or something because all the trucks I saw were pickups with permanent lettering on them.
[...] pulled the trigger on the purchase (I’ve made two improvements since moving in, getting windows from Castle and carpeting from [...]
[...] I replaced my windows a while back, the Federal Government footed a portion of the bill. That’s right, that means [...]
I contracted to have Gold Series Castle Windows installed in my home recently which I was told by the Company President were Energy Star Compliant and contained low E glass.
When the windows were installed, the installers damaged my granite kitchen countertop and poorly installed one of the windows (which required them to return for re-installation). They have never addressed the damage to my countertop and have ignored my request for their insurance information.
I needed proof of energy star compliance for my taxes and I repeatedly asked Castle Windows for this. Ultimately, they sent an energy star sticker but I felt that would not suffice. After I demanded a letter stating the windows were energy star compliant, Castle Windows stopped talking to me.
I filed a BBB complaint, and Castle Windows then acknowledged the Windows were in fact not energy star compliant and did not contain low e glass. They went on to claim that my contract did not include energy star compliant windows even though my contract states “Gold Series Windows” (and I have written proof from a Castle Windows rep that Gold Series Windows are supposed to have low e glass and be energy star compliant), the President of the Company assured me prior to installation that the windows had these specs, and they even sent me an energy star logo after the installation.
Since the installation of the windows, my utility bills have not decreased–they have increased.
Now, after contacting the Board of Contractor’s, I have found out that Castle Windows is not even licensed as a contractor or a home improvement company in my county which the board representative I spoke to said was required in my area. I have now filed a complaint with the state for unlicensed activity.
At the end of the day, my home was damaged, I received lesser windows than I was supposed to, and Castle Windows has been nothing but elusive in this matter. I’m glad to hear your installation turned out different but I would not recommend this company to anyone.
After continuing my complaint with the BBB, Castle Windows has now provided a copy of a license. I guess the state didn’t find it because it was listed under “SOUTHERN ESTATE SERVICES, INC. DBA CASTLE WINDOWS”. They still refuse to resolve my other claims. At least I now have the information to file a complaint against their license.
[...] year I had new windows installed (in part to take advantage of the energy tax credit and because the windows were 20 years old) and [...]
I am trying to get in touch with Castle Windows to get a warranty inspection done. Every dealer in my area has their phone disconnected. Can anyone provide a contact for me?
Thanks,
Randy
Nari you have posted on every site mentioning Castle however you are not speaking of the same Castle instead of working so hard to ruin all of the Castle’s of the improvement world due some research, you dealt with a DBA not the 8th largest home improvement company in the nation. If you spent as much time researching to whom people were referring verses posting the same comment on every site that has the Castle name you would already be aware of the fact you are unfairly commenting on companies who have nothing to do with the problems you had with your windows. You beef is with the company in Tennessee not anyone else and you should start your postings with that so no customers that are looking at other Castle in their state are mislead by your claims against all improvement companies who have the first name Castle and install windows.
Ron what state are you located? You are out of luck if you are speaking of the companies in Ohio or Michigan they are gone but your windows are Kennsington
I purchased 8 windows jan 2007 in Clarksville Tn I had trouble with them as soon as they left I went to clean one and it fell out almost on my toes my windows were 6ft long it was heavy I freaked I did call the company they did send someone out the contractor didn’t adjust them the frame it was so loose I couldn’t believe you expect good service and confident people doing this type of work them boom I have been scared to try to clean my windows since then. That is why I had new windows put in so I could clean them easy. Well I have been trying to get in touch with the castle window in chattanooga for almost a year still no response I am having a problem with one of my bedroom window when I open it the top comes down I think it is out of the track on one haven’t messed with it scared to. So I keep it closed what are we suppose to do is there anyone that will honor there warranty I really need to know or know if anyone knows how to get in contact with them thanks
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