April 15, 2006
Master Bath Sticker
And this is some seal the put around this window and the telescoping doors.
Posted by dana at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
April 14, 2006
Master Window Primed and Installed.
Posted by dana at 08:44 PM | Comments (1)
April 13, 2006
Master Bath Window In Place
Posted by dana at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2006
Bathroom window Finally Arrives!
Posted by dana at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2006
Living Room Telescoping Door Construction Begins
Some picture heavy posts are on the way.
They started building the frame for the living room sliders today. The house is going to be closed up finally!!!
They are making the frame out of ironwood. I didn't know they were going to use it, but we are pleased. It is the only wood that sinks because it won't absorb water. And it won't bend or warp. So the doors will move easily for a long time.
It also has a nice color to it. All it needs is mineral oil. I think it will look good with the floors.
Laying them out.
This is a joint for the bottom of the frame. Two pieces will dovetail into each other.
The two pieces clamped.
Posted by dana at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2006
Master Bath Window
I forgot to mention I talked to the contractor last Thursday when we were on the slopes. He told me they were doing the insulation that day.
And he also told me they got the President of JT Windows involved in getting the master window delivered. They took one of the doors off site, and I guess they took it to JT so that a match could be made easier. Maybe they made it and it came out wrong again. Ughhh.
I asked when it would be ready and he said honestly, he didn't know, but that it should be pretty quick since the owner of the window company is involved. He said he had a total fit with those guys.
He also made a point of telling us we were the nicest clients he could imagine about this. I can't remember the exact term he used, but he said something to the effect of anybody else would be going completely ape s*** and killing people over this.
We are pretty close. We are colder here than we were on our ski trip!
Posted by dana at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2006
More Window Doubts
Yes, we are concerned about the windows again.
When the windows arrived, I noticed a slight tint. Also, the stickers that say glaze this side indicates a coating on the outside of the glass when I thought the low e coating was on the inside of one of the panes. They made it very clear that they were waiting for the low e glass to arrive before they picked up the windows. They were replacing the glass, not coating it.
I hope these stickers do not mean that the existing glass was coated with something.
So then, we notice today the installed front windows have a distinct metallic reflective look on them. Maybe it is the light, but we hope this is not what the doors look like in the back! We don't want a wall of mirrors! We don't want people stopping by and doing their makeup in our window! We don't want to look like an office building!
I found this web page on the berkeley labs web site:
http://windows.lbl.gov/coating_tester/
This sentence is of particular interest:
"However, since these technologies are typically not discernible to the human eye, consumers, builders, utility representatives and others have asked for a simple hand-held detector to determine what type of coating (if any) is used on a double glazed window."
Why do they make these detectors if low e glass has a tint? Thoughts?
Posted by dana at 05:14 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2006
Doors Get Primed
Posted by dana at 01:06 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2006
Doors Arrive
We now have the doors, but no master bath window...
I call the window manufacturer and they say they are done with the job, I call the distributor to find out if he knows what is going on. He is out until next Monday. Fortunately, I have his cell phone and I am going to call it everyday until I have that window!!!
Posted by dana at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2006
Primer
They primed the windows prior to installation at my insistance. It is a little more rainy now and I feel more comfortable with primer on if they are going to be exposed to rain. They were ready to put them in just as I was getting back home, but I asked for a second coat and to wait until after a big storm brewing.
Posted by dana at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2006
Some of the Windows Return
The four 5 footers and the guest bath 3 footer arrive with the low e glass.
Unfortunately, there are no doors, and the master bath window is missing too.
Posted by dana at 12:07 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2006
Windows Are Picked Up
They came and got the windows today. The foreman, the stone guys and I carried them out. This guy doesn't carry.
One interesting thing, is that he was not going to pick them up when he saw the drill holes in them indicating that they had been installed. He had to call the office and get an okay, which he did. Apparently, after they are installed, that is it, they don't touch them again.
Posted by dana at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2006
So Now the House Looks Like a Crack Den
The Low E glass is supposedly at JT now, so they are going ot pick up the windows. About time.
Too bad the house looks blighted. Just think, they could have left the old window in this whole time and the house would have looked okay. They could have even left the shutters, and the plantation shutters in this whole time too. Hindsight is 20/20.
Lovely.
Here they are stacked up and ready to go.
Posted by dana at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2006
A Letter of Apology/Explanation
The foreman comes by and we talk about the windows. He says he got a letter saying that everything is the distributors fault. He is eager to show it to me. We go to my computer and he gets this document from his hotmail account. It is a MS Word (with company letterhead) attachment on an email from the Salesperson, so it seems kind of real. I saved it to my computer.
Here it is.
To: [Contractor's DBA]Dear Mr. [Contractor,
In regards to the order on [our address] when we originally quoted the job in late june2005 all windows and doors were specked out as dual glazed with low-e glass. Unfortunately when the order was placed in September windows and doors were ordered as dual glazed clear glass. I do take full responsibility for the error and will take the necessary steps in order to solve this problem.
In regards to the error on the sizes of two of the double casements there was a typing error from JT Windows that I did not catch. I do apologize for these delays. Hopefully this will not create any problems with your client.
P.S. JT windows will stand by there product on any reglazing and the full warranty applies.
Thank you,
[Salesperson]
Posted by dana at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
The Other 5 ft Windows Come in Today.
They install them even though they will need to come back out again. not sure why they did that. Didn't even ask.
And after I asked them not to screw holes in them, they screw a piece of wood so the windows cannot open. What do you do?
Posted by dana at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
The Low E Situation.
I called the architect and told him about the low-e thing. He emailed the contractor copying me.
Dana called [Window Company] this morning to make sure that the windows have the low-e coating that we specified on the window schedule. They do not. It is inexcusable that this window order has had so many problems, and this needs to be remedied ASAP. Dana should be included on any communication between you & [Window Company] so that he has peace of mind that the low-e coating is actually there. He had been told numerous times that these windows have the coating but that information was false.
This is the email the architect sent everyone regarding their subsequent phone conversation:
Per my phone conversation with [contractor], he’s finding out this afternoon what options we have for getting low-e glass & whether it’s done on the site or not. Dana, [contractor] has said he will include you in on all communication about this matter. [contractor] has accepted all responsibility for the mistake & knows that it is VERY important that this is taken care of quickly.
Posted by dana at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2006
Window Fiasco Gets Even More Fiasco-er
I just called JT and found out the windows were not even ordered or made with Low-E glass like we spec'd, but with clear glass. I feel like I just got punched in the stomach. I noticed on the stickers, they said dual clear, but thought maybe that meant not tinted or something. This is just astonishing and outrageous!
I specifically asked the foreman last week and again on Saturday if the glass was low-e and he said yes.
I don't know what this means yet, but it may get quiet around here if all these windows need to get remade.
Posted by dana at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2006
Slider Surprise
So I thought I at least knew how the sliders were going to be installed. In recent days, I had been asking him to get the kit on site, so we could check it and make sure all the parts were here. He shows me the hardware and it is not what I expected. It is rollers that will bear the weight of the door. They are in a box labelled "World class hinges" which is not what these things are so I can't even do research on them.
I thought we were going to hang the doors from rollers as we discussed when we planned out the window order in July. We had settled on top hanging Henderson Hardware Kit number 290. It is for straight sliding wood doors up to 300-400 lbs. But the foreman had another idea: he was going to put the rollers on the bottom and have the door roll on tracks. We didn't want this. And this is yet another disconnect and unexpected surprise. I actually lose my temper at him in front of the architect. he says he doesn't remember agreeing to the top hanging doors.
"We were sitting outside with the contractor and we picked out the system down to the number!"
He explained that the hanging system would not work for weather proofing the exterior doors. The hanging system was for interior doors. The architect agreed with him. It's just that this is another surprise in a time when I don't need any surprises. We are going with the bottom rollers. I am reluctant about it because I want to minimize the tracks on the floor. It should be comfortable to walk on them barefoot.
The architect and the foreman figured out a way (I think) for the tracks to be sunken enough to walk on, but not enough so that dirt and water will get caught in the ruts. We will see.
Posted by dana at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2006
The Master Bath Window Has to Go Back
Upon closer examination, the master bath window is not only chunkier than we envisioned, it doesn't line up with the doors in some critical ways. So back it goes, and who knows how long this will delay things.
But the foreman did agree with us, that if we noticed it now, it would bother us forever. He must agree that the window company made a mistake because he did not try to talk us into keeping it.
Here is a slider and a master bath window next to each other. With the top mullions lined up, the bottom mullions do not, and the bottom of the bottom panes do not. They are supposed to for a continuum accross the back of the house. Sigh.
Posted by dana at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
Master Bath Window Shows Up
Getting a little closer in the window department. The reason this wondow took so long is when it was first made, the bottom two panes were one piece of glass. This mistake was made by the manufacturer.
It looks a little boxier and chunkier than we thought it would. We envisioned it looking more like the sliding doors, but the panes are smaller, a lot smaller. It also has screen on it, which we thought we weren't getting. Hmmm... I guess that's good.
Posted by dana at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
Two Windows Get Installed
It's a start. They put in the two 5 ft windows we have today. They look good! Although I wish they would prime them before installation. I ask them to and they shrug saying it doesn't matter. I point out that there is a sticker with a big "IMPORTANT! Seal these windows as soon as you can!"
Posted by dana at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2006
Kiss Up Email
The contractor sends me an email yesterday morning:
Sorry for the problems on the windows. We will fix them as fast as we can. [foreman] has the fans and will install them. He said that you wanted them installed before inspection.We will call for the inspection next week.
I had a thought to remind you to tell [stereo installer] to leave us whatever wires we will need for phase 2 in the attic.
I will be at the hospital for some exams today, I am not sure if I get cell service but if need be leave me a message.
Thanks for your understanding,
[contractor]
I don't remember telling him I understood anything in yesterdays phone call.
And this disingenuous "We will fix them as fast as we can ... " is just more of the same. I already know there is nothing anyone can do to make these windows come in any faster. The order was placed three months later than originally promised. It was placed incorrectly – probably because there were three months to get foggy on the details. The new order with the correct windows was a normal order, not a rush order. So we are just sitting here waiting for the windows. And so is he. And a bunch of lip service isn’t going to change anything.
What really bothers me about this is that no one is paying for this mistake really except for us. In dollars and days. Well, I guess they are paying a little since they have to eat the incorrectly ordered windows.
I tell our architect this story. While this sucks, he says, there isn’t much you can do about it. I know, I agree. It’s just demoralizing, depressing that the contractor would be doing this on the day we sign the contract – on the day we are demonstrating complete trust, by signing a handing over a big 5-digit check. He also thinks that despite this, things are moving a long better than he was thinking they were before Christmas. He is impressed that the electrical has been almost completed and we are nearing the first city inspection. Our architect also thinks that if we can get the 4 ft windows for free, we can use them in phase two on the backside of the new bedroom. All I know is that we are not starting phase two until the correct windows are in the garage ready to go.
Later yesterday afternoon, the foreman comes by with the new bathroom ceiling heater fans some light fixtures. There was nothing in his demeanor to indicate that there had been any conversation with the contractor. If I were the contractor and a sub did that to me, I would be all over him in a second. Of course I am making an assumption here, but it looks like the contractor knew when the check was cut for the windows. October 19, 2005.
Posted by dana at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
Lie Detector Test, Please
I call again about the windows. The salesman’s boss calls me back and during the conversation, I find out some interesting news:
Apparently, the foreman is paying for the new 5 ft windows himself because he made the mistake.
The 4 ft. windows were not a part of another order; they were placed with the original order.
And here is the kicker. According to the Stock headman, the order was put into the computer on October 19th. We wrote the $9000 deposit check for the windows in late July when we signed the original contract. Were they sitting on the money for three months?
I decided to call JT windows to ask them when the order was placed. It was placed on October 26. Which confirms it. Somebody other than us was sitting on $9000 for three months.
Now you remember that we signed the contract with the contractor and then there is the foreman who is running the show.
I call the contractor. I ask him if he knew the window order was not placed until October 19, and 26? He says no. As far as he knew, the order was placed immediately. He tells me he turned over that money to the foreman right away. I tell him it really bothers me that we paid for the windows 3 months before the order was placed. He agreed.
I asked him if he knew that the foreman was buying the two other 5 ft windows himself? He said no.
He then explains to me the nature of their relationship. He takes care of the insurance and all the business things, and the foreman is technically his sub contractor. So they are not boss and employee, and they are not partners.
He seemed very willing to place blame on the foreman. I told him not to do that, I don’t care who had the money for three months. If it weren’t us, why would we care which one of them it is? As far as our relationship goes, they are a single unit. If one screws up, they both screw up.
But this is a less than ideal situation. The whole contract is with someone who is not doing any of the work.
In an effort to wrap up, contractor tells me he is meeting with the foreman and the window guy tomorrow and he will find out all he can and let me know.
Very frustrated. "I already know what is going on. And I didn't get the information from you. I got it from getting on the phone and playing detective. Let me tell you the status of the windows. The master bath window will be ready on Friday and the frames for the 5ft windows are made, but they are waiting for glass and there is no e.t.a. on the glass." Then he said that was what he knew too.
Palm to forehead.
I also take this opportunity to point out that after what I thought was a productive meeting on Saturday, nothing has happened for 3 days. There is a lot that can be done without the windows. For instance:
The roof can be finished.
The dining room hole can be patched.
The garage door can be fabricated.
The electrical can be finished for inspection.
The mesh for the bathroom tiles can be put in.
The foreman calls me and gives me a cockamamie story about the windows. Saying how mad he is at the window distributor. I just say uh huh. The contractor asked me not to talk about this with the foreman, as he thinks he couldn’t handle it. Likened it to an animal being backed into a corner. I wonder if it is because he was shifting blame for the October order date and doesn’t want me to find out that he was in fact sitting on the money for three months. He did have his honeymoon during that time, ya know.
Posted by dana at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2005
Two Windows Appear
Two of the five foot windows appear. Now we need just two more and the master bath window and we will be set to install them and close up the house.
YAY!!
They look beautiful.
Posted by dana at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2005
The Window Distributor a.k.a. Jason calls
I should make windows a separate category. I think a lot of blog time is going to be devoted to them.
Jason calls me just now! (Not his real name.)
He profusely apologizes. He doesn’t understand why the windows are not coming in as promised.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. We went over everything, we drew up diagrams of the windows, and they came back wrong."
Basically, he was placing the blame on JT windows.
"This doesn't make sense," I say, "the 4ft windows are in the order. JT confirmed with me that there were 3ft,4ft,and 5 ft windows in the order. The sticker on them has the same number as the rest of the windows. It doesn't add up. Furthermore, doesn't someone want these windows sitting in our living room?"
"They won't get them until we get our correct windows."
Hmmm... that sounds convincing.
He insists that the order went in correctly, and that the mix up happened at JT Windows. I smell something and it stinks.
So I ask, "since they made the mistake, wouldn't they be willing to do a super rush to make the correction?"
"You would think", he replied. "I don’t know why they weren't ready today. They promised me they would be."
"I think this means they won't be ready until after the new year."
"Yeah, it looks like that is true."
It is the holidays and JT is closed all next week.
"Does the foreman know?"
"No, I gotta call him to tell him now."
This last answer makes me believe that Jason is in the wrong. He is trying to make it look like JT has been leading him on, he has been leading the foreman on, and the foreman has been leading me on. One big pile of deception.
"I'm really sorry, I wish there was something I could do."
Posted by dana at 06:30 PM | Comments (1)
On a Mission
I called this morning at 7AM to talk to Jason only to be told he was not coming in until 9AM.
That's it; I'm going down there. I have to find out what is going on with the windows!!
I go to the distributors and scout out the place. My heart is beating fast. I see a framed plaque type thing with all the employees’ pictures on them. I scan for Jason. There he is. Mug shot.
So in I go, get a sense of the place and walk into the windows section. Of course I get asked if I need any help immediately. I say no and casually go around playing with locks and doorknobs. I must have looked as doofy as Maxwell Smart. Getting funny looks, they are on to me...
I spy Jason, feet up on the desk, hands clasped behind his head. Laughing with another guy at the next desk. I feel like I am on the set of the Sopranos. Feel a little intimidated and do a lap.
Get asked again if I need help. No, just looking. What's with this guy walking around with his arms crossed playing with random doorknobs and window locks? Maxwell Smart.
I come back around and he is gone. Hmmm. Another lap. Still gone. What? Did he leave for the day? It's either today or I have to wait until after Christmas. They are closed on Friday, Monday.
Jason was long gone. I wandered around the hardware department a little while kicking myself for not acting the first time I saw him.
"May I help you?"
"No thanks, I'm just checking out these electrical conduits."
Posted by dana at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2005
Windows Investigation
Today I decided to find out for myself about what was going on with the windows. They told me last week that they would be here on Monday. Last Monday. Today is Wednesday. They are not here.
So I call the manufacturer, JT Windows. Based on what they tell me, I can figure out the PO Number, and the Distributor who sold the windows. I call the sales Distributor. They try to tell me they cannot look up the order since the PO Number is missing a digit. I protest, "JTWindows confirmed that the PO Number should be a 7 digit number." So he then grumbles and looks it up. The sales person for this order isn't in and will be in tomorrow at 7.
So I call JT back. I get a girl this time. I get her to pull up the order and ask her what is on it. She says that the best person to talk to about this is the sales rep at the distributor and then she lets his name slip! Jason. (Not a real name) I asked her over and over again in various ways until I found out that the order did in fact have 5ft, 4ft, and 3ft windows in it. Haven't seen the 5 ft yet, but I have seen the 4ft. The ones our contractor told were for a different order altogether. The ones that are still in our living room. This is why I felt compelled to call. If they were for another order, they should have been picked up by now. Right? Doesn't someone want their windows?
JT also told me if they haven't delivered them to the distributor by now, they won't be delivering them until after the new year. They are closed between Christmas and New Year's.
Posted by dana at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2005
Windows Demolition
Though the windows are not here yet, they are supposedly on the way. So let's demo the existing! The house finally looses its curb appeal, and looks like a house being worked on from the street.
Some before and after shots:
Hall bath window:
Side 2nd bedroom window:
Front Second bedroom window:
Front Windows (check out that pink the house used to be!):
The house:
Posted by dana at 12:07 PM | Comments (2)
December 06, 2005
Windows Arrive
Well kind of.
When we signed the contract, the contractors made a big deal about getting the window order in early because they take so long to make. This was in July. They went back and forth with the architect making sure everything was correct. They went back and forth with the distributor making sure everything was in order.
So after all this time, yesterday was the day the windows and sliding doors are finally coming. They look beautiful but ...
On the truck.
A door waiting to be taken into the house.
... some are missing, and some are wrong. Can I use swear words here?
The explanation about the missing windows was that when they were delivered to the distributor, there was condensation between some of the double panes so they had to be sent back to the factory. They would be delivered on Thursday. Okay, no problem.
I didn't notice the incorrect windows until after the delivery guy had left. I mention to the foreman that they look shorter than existing. He says that they are according to plan.
I ask "where are you going to loose window from the top or the bottom?"
"The bottom," he answers.
With all that is going on, I just nod. I can't remember all the details from so many months ago.
We got six sliders for the living room. 4 sliders for the Master bedroom. They looked correct. We got a 3 ft window for the guest bath. It looks correct. We didnt get the door shaped window for the master bath because of the condensation. We only got 2 of the 4 5ft windows for the living room and the second bedroom.
I measure the existing windows and they are 5 ft. And the new windows are only 4ft. I think there is no way we ordered smaller windows. After all, we are trying to brighten this room which we always thought was too dark.
I immediately go pouring over the plans and window schedule looking for the possibility that our architect made an error. Or if we really did order 4ft windows. Everywhere on the plans and window schedule calls for 5ft windows. I get this sinking feeling. This is a disaster. Are we going to have to wait until April for the correct windows?
I call the contractor and tell him the windows are wrong. I could hear the panic through the silence on the other end of the phone. He says he will find out what the deal is, and hangs up.
He calls me back with this explanation: The 4ft windows belong to another order. They will be picked up tomorrow. So 2 5ft windows are coming tomorrow and 2 5ft windows are coming on Thursday along with the master door size window. Okay.
So today, no one shows up! No one picked up the 4ft windows, and, more importantly, no one delivered the 5ft windows. What is the deal? I call the contractor. "We need to get the ball rolling. You said that things were going to pick up." Etc. I was angry and frustrated. "Two weeks with nothing going on is a lot of lost time."
I ask him if he still feels a February finish can be done. He says yes. I ask him if he will tell me a February finish cannot be done as soon as he realizes it. He scoffed at the question and said "Of course, Dana!" I don't know.
Posted by dana at 12:43 PM | Comments (1)