Castle Window Installation Review
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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.
{ 21 comments, please add your thoughts now! }
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Nov 02, 2006 | Read more in The Home
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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.
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.
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
If you had a good experience with Castle Windows count yourself lucky. My mother had 6 windows installed last spring. All went in fine except the kitchen window. They had to beat it in with a hammer. From day one, she has had difficulty locking that window. It has been leaking profusely! Water pours in so bad my mom has to use 3 large towels at a time to sop up the water. They have been out 4 times and still can not fix the leak. Water pours in like a sieve! It has subsequently caused damage to the wall and trim. They claimied that it is not the window leaking but a problem with the roof. (2yrs old) She had 2 roofers come out-there is no problem with the roof. Now they claim it is the soffet! They refuse to take care of this problem now. The last roofers out there said there are no J channels in the window and the only support or trim they put around them was a bent piece of metal. It is no wonder it is leaking. The roofer said he could not believe what shoddy work was done on that window. If anyone is considering using Castle-PLEASE DO NOT CALL THEM!!! You will be sorry. Heaven help you if there is a problem. Judy R
I used Champion in MD and have no complaints.
I had Castle Windows installed & they were also installed incorrectly & the locks are not working b/c the top 1/2 of the window slides down. All the sash lock hardware is coming off due to the pressure. I called to have it resolved & I find my dealer is out of business & so is the manufacturer – so I have no warranty any longer as it turns out that CASTLE WINDOWS does not back the product as a company overall so beware of using this so called company as they are independent dealers & this means that you are not backed by the overall company as it would seem only by your dealer. If you do not understand these legalities as I did not, you could get burned. Buy Anderson or Pella – I bought these a year prior & installed these all myself & they are STILL working perfectly
I just wasted 4 hours of my life talking to a sales rep. for Castle Windows.The guy’s name is Mark. I contacted Castle along with a few other companies ,but, Castle just happened to be the first company that was able to come out.They told me that the presentation would last approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours,but,the salesman was at my house for over 4 hours,and, would not take “no” for an answer. I just wanted to find out about their products and the price,but,the salesman kept on and on about how I would be ripped-off by going with another company and how they have the best window on the market. I told him that I wanted to think about and explore my options,but, he was extremely pushy and told us he didn’t come out to have his time wasted and that the future of his job and the company relied upon him making a sale.He then had me sign a tentative agreement ,which, I have already cancelled. I would not recommend anyone going with this company. If you do ,good luck.
Hi Ed,
I just had a very similar experience. Guy came to my house only to tell me my wife needed to be there which they never told me over the phone. So he had to come back the next night when she was available. Anyway, the guy was pushy and seemed insulted when we told them we had to think about it. We actually liked the window and even though it was more than we wanted to spend we probably would have done half the house and the other half within a year. But the deal breaker was when he told us that if he had to come back for us to sign a contract then we would have to pay 1500.00 more because of some one day sale they’re having. Bunch of c**p. He also said it’s a waste of their time to come out again and that their time is better spent trying to get new customers that will sign right away. When I was younger I worked for 5 years installing replacement windows and doors and never saw this kind of unprofessionalism. Only reason I was thinking about paying for someone to install for me is that I really just don’t have the time since i have a newborn at home. But I think now I’ll order some Pella’s and find the time to do it myself. Funny thing is if it weren’t for the sales guy I probably would have bought their windows.
Craig,
Same story here. I just talked to one Calstle Windows guy last Saturday. They’re the first company I met. I actually kind of liked the window and the deal breaker is the salesman himself. He keeps telling me how ignorant I’m about windows, do I think I’m smarter than the scientists that invented the energy saving glasses, etc. Basically, he was trying to talk me down and acknowledge that whatever he talked about was worth listening. That irked the heck of me and I’m done with him. I met with Home Depot guy this morning, they quote a price good for 30 days, no such thing as “Saturday special” crap like what the Castle Window guy did.
Reading all of the above had been quiet confusing, and in doing some research I think overall most of you are quite confused. Castle the window people, out of harrisburg, mt laurel new jersey, newington conn, is a great company with many great reviews, are are in fact one of the largest window companies in the US today. However, the castle in ohio tennesee, kentucky, and other southern area, also know as gold castle windows, is mostly out of business, and seemed to carry a horrific experience with most of what they did. Their windows and installation i agree were completely subpar.
back in jan.09 we purchased a home and called several “window people” but only castle had the time to come out. salesman came and presented his product the good,the bad of different ones. we had budgeted around $2500 for 5 regular windows. when all was said and done it was alittle more then double but we ended up with a bay window instead of three smaller ones for the front. we were told the windows would be installed around the middle of may. on 2/7/09 they called to say they be out around the 16th of feb! 2 guys came with everything they needed( the trucks were painted with co. name ,not the magnetic signs)6 hrs later windows were in. they took time to go through the workings of the windows and were very proffessional and clean, more then i can say for direct tv installers. castle management called a few days later to follow up.we had no problems whatsoever with them.when they called i asked them for some written proof for the tax credit and they said no problem. a week later is was in the mailbox. i would use them again when i need to replace my front door and rear sliding door
I had a terrible experience qith castle windows “The window people”. I had the salesperson given me a quote for $3950 for 6 double hung windows and 1 casement window at the beginnig of march 09. They gave us an estimated install date of 04/28/09 (6 weeks later). After about 5 weeks of waiting I had a call from a castle window representative stating that they had gotten the ok from my condo association to install the windows but that they needed us to sign some paperwork. So they sent a fax to my husband which he signed, but guess what… there was no return fax number. My husband had to call them to get it. About a week after that they called my husband to say that the order was almost done and that they would call the next day to schedule an appointment for installation. The call never happened the next day… nor the next week. So I called them only to find out that one of the windows still wasnt ready and it would be availale for me the following week. Finally they called us to schedule the install about a week after my phone call. My husband scheduled the appointement for the following monday. Unfortunately I nobody was able to be home that day so a tried to call and change the appointment (thursday prior to appointment). Well, they told me that since it was past my estimated scheduled date that they couldn’t change it…. Wow….. so I called out of work yesterday 6/22/09 to stay home and wait for the windows. I was really surprised when only 1 guy showed up with his pick up truck (not identified whatsoever). I have to say that he did a pretty good job if it’s not from the mess he left behind. No drop cloths were put down nor did he clean anything up when he was done. He took him 6 hours to install 6 windows….only to find out that 1 of the windows was missing. I called castl windows to find out if they could come back the very next day to install it but they told me I had to wait an other 1-2 weeks to get it because it was not available. I am vry frustrated with castle windows the window people and would definately not recommend them to anyone.