The new windows are finally all installed. Last week, the installers came out and did all, but the living room window, because (surprise, surprise) Home Depot got the order wrong. Here is my rant about Home Depot. We will never go back. Never. I have used them for many projects and nothing has ever gone smoothly. I think the key problem is the people who work at the store. Even if you make an appointment with "Specialist" they have no clue what they are doing. I think they need to change their slogan to "You can do it, we will screw it up". I will get into specifics with other projects in a different post, but here are some key issues we had with the window install.

First, they sent three different people to measure and still got it wrong. The initial measure was done by the Home Depot Rep who facilitated the initial sale of the windows. He was nice enough. We played the waiting game of having them call us for the next step. Even if they say they will, Home Depot will NEVER call you. It's a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil. The customer needs to be proactive and even with that, we got the run around. It's beyond frustrating.

Several weeks later, we found out that we needed a second, more detailed, set of measurements taken. It had to be done by two separate people, because one company was to install the patio doors and one for the other windows. Fine. It was a hassle having to make two separate appointments. We were told that Home Depot would contact us and they didn't. Also, both of the install companies made comment about us having picked the wrong type of windows- "Didn't Home Depot Tell you..."...no, no they didn't.

We finally went into the Glendale store and contacted an employee named Shaun. He was nice and seemed competent, certainly more so that any of his coworkers. He helped process our order and told us that we would be contacted to set up the install appointments.

Didn't hear back for a few weeks and finally contacted them. Shaun basically told me that we were no longer his problem and that we would need to contact the store inventory manager (not the correct job title, but something like that) about making sure that the windows that we ordered were in stock. I have no idea why they didn't just do this directly through the installation contractors, who were picking up the windows.

We called the guy several times and showed up at the store. Over a week passed and we got back in touch with Shaun, who informed us that the manager's grandmother had passed away and that is why we were not contacted. Okay, I understand family emergencies, but I have no idea why someone from windows didn't contact us. So frustrating.

Finally, about six weeks or so after the initial order the patio windows are installed. I blogged about that earlier. It looks great, but the guys were completely unprofessional.

The other windows were installed a week later. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the installation company and since they are contractors for Home Depot, I couldn't get a card, as it would be a conflict of interest. It's a shame that these guys contract under Home Depot, because they were great. They showed up on time and unlike the patio guys, they laid down protective coverings and cleaned up all of the dust. They took care of our house. They were also fast, taking about a third of amount of time that they alloted.

Unfortunately, The first time that they came out, they discovered that Home Depot had given them the wrong size window for the living room. This led to a week delay before the windows were completed. These guys were so good, that I felt terrible that they had to come back to finish the job. They came this morning, showing up a little early and finishing within forty-five minutes. It looks great.

Here are some before and after pictures.

The guest bedroom used to have a giant black railing for safety, which has been removed, because now the window has tempered glass.

Old windows and the ugly bar that have always been in my childhood bedroom.[/caption]

Pretty new windows with tempered glass, so the bar is gone!

The bathroom, which is a small part of a complete remodel...a post coming as soon as we get one more element done! The first picture is old from the outside and the second is the new windows on the inside.