Siding-1 Windows-1 Exteriors

What a NIGHTMARE!!!
The salesman told the wife and I he was a HAG Certified Inspector and can make things happen that others can’t. That was a lie told to get the business, when were all set to go with Davis Roofing in Addison.
It was one lie after another. I personally think it was because they do windows NOT roofs, and were trying to build a new area of business, but couldn’t.
They never showed up (except to pick up the first check). I had 2 huge blue tarps on my roof for over 2 months!!!
Finally cancelled the contract which they gladly did. This was an insurance job… It was a slam dunk!!!
Went back to Davis Roofing and paid less, got more and it was done immediately!
Now… Beautiful roof done per specs.

We recently had these guys replace 22 windows in our house. The windows we replaced were 80-​year old single pane metal windows. We began by getting estimates from 5 different companies. We got Siding-​1 Windows-​1 as a referral from two family members who used him to replace their windows. We called Jim Johnson, the General Manager, whom our family worked with previously and he came to our house to give the estimate. He looked around and measured each window. We discussed the options and I asked for a quote on the Pella brand casement windows (Pella 450 Series window). I did some homework and learned that for Pella Casement windows, there is very little difference between the 450 Series and their highest tier Architect Series (sans accessories), so we asked for an estimate on the 450 Series. In fact, Consumer Reports rated the 450 series second only to Andersen (best in class). We got bids from 3 other companies on the Pella brand and 2 companies for Marvin. Surprisingly, the Pella bids came back slightly lower than Marvin, but the difference is costs was the installation fees, not the windows themselves. When I looked at just the 3 Pella bids, Jim’s bid was was in the middle. I really like Jim and wanted to work with him more than the others because of the family referral. I called him and told him that he wasn’t the least expensive but I wanted to work with him. He matched the lowest bid!
My experience working with contractors and/​or trades with anything house-​related, i’ve learned 3 really important lessons: 1. You need to have patience. 2. Emergencies are taken care of first and with urgency. 3. You are not their only customer. I think you need to remember these when working with a company like Siding-​1 Windows-​1. After the contract signed and order placed, it took a long time before the windows came in and were installed. We ordered in the beginning of Winter and didn’t install until the end of Winter. Some of the delays were weather related, some were manufacturer related, some scheduling/​availability related. The point being there were delays. But, we went into this project with the expectation of delays and knowing we’d need to be patient – which we were. That leads me to their 3^rd lesson: we weren’t their only customer. While we were spending a lot of money replacing 22 windows, so were other customers of theirs. We didn’t get a lot of pro-​active outreach from Jim or his team, but whenever we called, everyone was friendly, helpful and did get back to us quickly with answers. Remember, patience rules the day when working with construction projects of any type.
Once the windows were finished being manufactured by Pella, I got a call from Jim’s team looking to schedule an installation date. Once scheduled, the team came out. It was the same team lead who had originally measured our windows before ordering from Pella, so he knew our house and understood all of the uniqueness of our job that required different than «normal» aspects to the installation. The installation team was amazing. They were efficient, clean, respectful and mature. I haven’t experienced any issues with the quality of installation. In fact, I believe the installation quality is just as good as the quality from the original windows. They methodically went through and installed all of the windows and had asked if there were certain areas of the house we wanted done first. When removing old metal windows, they literally need to cut them out and as you can imagine, that would leave a lot of glass and debris. They did a great job picking up after themselves and did that as they went (versus waiting until after the entire project was completed). This was important to me because I have little kids running around and didn’t want anyone stepping on a piece of glass. The team did a fantastic job with the finishing/​carpentry work as well. Our total project took 3 full days of installation. They arrived punctually as promised and leaved each day with the areas as cleaner than it was when when they arrived.
One of our windows was damaged during shipment. Jim contacted Pella and they immediately made a replacement and called me directly to come and install the replacement. The process was very efficient and dealing with Pella was a breeze.
I believe that since you know the window manufacturers and can objectively evaluate their quality based on countless reviews and research, the difference between one window company and other is the installation quality and relationship with the company. The installation team was top notch! Jim Johnson is a true stand-​up guy and old school salesperson who still invests in developing a relationship with you. I believe him to be genuine and was very happy with my experience. I can’t speak to any of the other salespeople at the company because I didn’t work with them, but I can vouch for Jim and would buy from him again in the future should the need arise.

We have been asking for repairs on improperly installed windows and doors for more than a year — we are hoping Jim Johnsen, general manager, will pay attention to this and respond to our request to make good on their installation contract.
One porch door was improperly installed and does not close or lock; the material used in it was not to spec from the contract and the door expands and contracts with temperature changes.
A Pella window was installed incorrectly and hangs 2 inches out of flush. Everyone at the company is very nice and agreeable and verbally have acknowledged the need for these items to be adjusted, but we have no emails or date for correction of these problems.

If you are considering using them at all you should read this first. We bought a house almost 3 years ago and have been doing lots of upgrades as we can financially since that time. We were SO excited when my husband won a gift certificate to this place from his radio station. And before you think we got it for free not only did it not cover our whole bill but we had to pay taxes on it, so we’re not upset for something we got for free or anything! We had looked in to this company as we were considering redoing our siding after the big hail storm. We’re so very glad we used the certificate to try them with something small first, if $ 4000 can be considered small that is. We basically paid $ 3200 for a door and $ 800 for some chimney/​roof work (which that seems to be great so no complaints there), The guy who showed up seemed to know his stuff, had the door installed fairly fast (it’s still gorgeous at least) and the roof repair went great. Then the problems started… about a month later the deadbolt would no longer latch — the door had tilted and it no longer lined up, called, same guy came out after the weather improved (didn’t want the door open with negative degree weather obviously), and it worked, for all of a week or 2, then the same problem, had to wait some more as the weather wouldn’t cooperate (which is not their fault), then the actual quality control manager came out and basically told me that the original guy installed it wrong and did an improper repair but he would make it right, and technically he did. It’s been awhile (months, almost a year) and the deadbolt still works so far at least… however when he was putting the trim back up he pointed out that the first guy had actually put a giant notch in the door frame trim (rather than cutting the baseboard trim back like a normal person would), he said he definitely didn’t have any as he didn’t know he needed it and at the time we were replacing the floor and closet doors so we thought we’d just fix it ourselves — he failed to mention it’s a Custom size! Called in, he no longer works there… So, many calls trying to figure out where to get this trim the original guy put up, got hooked up with the new quality control guy, they almost Never answer their phone, when they do the person you need is almost Never available, and if you leave a message they will Rarely call you back, so we finally got a hold of the new quality control manager and he had found one place that had it and he would call us when it was in so we could pic it up (in Woodstock), nothing for weeks, finally get a hold of him again — apparently they Don’t have it and he forgot to call us, found another place that day but it was in Ingelside and he wasn’t sure when he could get it, we offered to drive and pick it up ourselves as this is going on MONTHS of looking at an unfinished $ 3200 door! Got there, he didn’t pay, can’t get a hold of him when we call so just paid for it ourselves. Heard back, said he would call us to figure out how to reimburse us, nothing for 2 weeks. Granted this is only $ 11, BUT we had to pick it up, we have to install it ourselves and now that guy no longer works for the company either and they apparently have no notes what-​so-​ever about anything that has transpired (and mind you we spoke with more people than just that guy and they had told me other times he made no notes but they would «update what was going on» and apparently never did.) We paid $ 3200 for a door that is not even a full 2 years old, has needed 3 repairs, still isn’t finished and we had to buy the finishing pieces ourselves.
So an update — already heard from the new (and hopefully long term) Quality Control Manager (fastest call back ever!) — sounds like they know there’s an issue (other people upset like me) and are fixing it, if he makes the changes I’ll be willing to give them another chance in the future! And they are going to reimburse the $ 11 and offered to come install the trim piece! Sounds like they are looking to turn the place around! Here’s hoping