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I have just spent a frustrating 6 mos trying to get quality replacement windows in my house. Short story, I was charged $15, 000 for 10 windows, and they are worse quality than standard Andersen windows that you can get from Home Depot for less than $500. The temperature is about 10-12 degrees Fahrenheit colder at the base of their window-the windows are leaky and drafty. They look like crap with glued and stapled vinyl covering the old wood frames that they said they would replace. I have tried to get them to renegotiate the price to one that is more equitable for what they installed but got nowhere. Now I'm headed to litigation. Save yourself the trouble and don't buy Renewal by Andersen. They're a predatory company. They promise you quality work, but I'm left with glass and debris covering the property.
Window man, thanks for the useful information. I wish I had it before I made the decision to install RBA windows. As an update, a Southard Corp. representative visited my home to look at the windows while I was out of town. I've heard nothing since. I did find that one of the screens has a large tear, and I believe that this was done by the installers and probably they thought I wouldn't notice. After talking with RBA customers and also searching the internet, I think that I was charged about 40-50% over what the normal RBA window costs. Evidently they have a ready-made window and custom. Although I was told I would get a custom window, I got the ready-made, for the custom price. I'm going to offer them a settlement price, and if they refuse (or ignore me as they have done since I've started complaining), I'll have no recourse but to go to litigation. Would appreciate other input as to experiences with RBA in Kansas.
You're exactly right. He told me I was getting custom made (full frame replacement), but he wrote up the order as an insert replacement. I don't know anything about windows, so I don't know the difference when I read pages and pages of contract. This sounds like a bait and switch sales practice, don't you think? I have already contacted the BBB (one of those complaints is mine), but now I'm going to contact the KS attorney general's office. "Mad as hell" doesn't even come close to describing what I feel right now. For others contemplating using RBA windows, please check back on this blog-I'll upload pictures of the window installation, and areas under the window covered with broken glass and debris. Again, I really appreciate all of your help, window man.
As promised, here are pics of how the windows looked after installation, a zoom on the shoddy caulking, and an example of the debris left after the wrapping. Unfortunately I didn't take pics of all of the glass they left behind. They never came out to clean up the mess-I was forced to clean it up myself.
If you have had problems with RBA aka Southard Corporation, I encourage you to immediately contact the Kansas Attorney Generals office, http://www.ksag.org/page/file-a-consumer-complaint, to file a complaint. After several letters to the company, a complaint with BBB in Wichita, I finally received a visit from the Southard Representative. He acknowledged that the windows do not look like my previously installed Andersen windows (and said they don't do that kind of installation, completely the opposite of what the salesman claimed), and his answer for leaky windows was that "all windows leak air" (not what they claimed when they were selling me the windows). I have documented everything and I'm hopeful that the attorney general can force this company to stop deceptive sales practices and shoddy workmanship. Here are more photos of windows-would you want windows installed like this?
Thanks for the info, window man. To update the saga, I met with a Southard representative. His comment when I complained that the windows leak air? "All windows leak air". Are you kidding me? Why don't they tell you that when they are selling the windows? Anyway, I just sent an exhaustive report with pictures and documentation to the Kansas Attorney General. I plan to start a blog - seems there are enough dissatisfied customers that a class action lawsuit is possible to get these guys to stop advertising their "quality product" with "up to 70% more energy efficient windows" (what they don't tell you is compared to what-an open window?)
Here's the link to my blog:
http://leakyrenewalbyandersenwindows.blogspot.com/
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Renewal by Andersen is a huge marketing scam. The General Manager of their Los Angeles branch, Al Alfieri owes me in excess of $5000.00. He’s a liar and a crook!
We had all our windows replaced. They are colder than the windows they replaced. There are drafts around the windows and the double pane glass does not insulate well. We would not recommend them.
Andersen butchered the installation of our entry and storm doors. Air and light (!) between the entry doors and the storm doors installed completely off the threshold with no air seal whatsoever. After a big fight got all our money back. Patio doors installed as part of same order sound like your issue drafty, icing on tracks, air blowing through at footlock. You can put a piece of paper between the stationary and fixed panels, close the door and easily pull the paper out. Their own tech spent an hour at our house going thru everything wrong now their area director says the tech found nothing wrong! Stay away from these folks!
I had 7 windows installed in July for the ridiculous price of $14,000 plus. Winter has not hit yet, so we'll see how efficient they are. Their interior caulk job around the windows was horrendous. Big chunks of caulk in the corners. Someone should have been checking his work. I'll never use or recommend them. For that price, I deserve perfection.
The windows Renewal by Anderson we purchased are drafty and do not even close all the way. We were promised that the new windows would fit into our old frames. They did not. They also left piles of sawdust all over the house. They even have the audacity to continually send us letters, ads and even Christmas cards with advertisements when I have contacted them 3 times to stop sending me mail.
Sounds very much like our experience. We can put a piece of paper between the stationary and sliding panels, close the door, and pull the paper right out. We are contacting state atty general
I live in Northwest Ohio. I purchased 16 Renewal by Andersen replacement windows in June 2021. This winter I noticed they all felt drafty, so I put plastic over two windows and I was very disappointingly shocked to see the plastic bulge into the room. There is a lot of cold air infiltration coming into my house. I’ve notified Renewal by Andersen in their Maumee, Ohio office where the windows were bought. They said they will put in 4 small H sponges in each window, I doubt that will work. I’m so afraid I made a huge mistake to pick Renewal by Andersen for my replacement windows. These windows are much worse that the original windows they took out. I used my 401K to pay for the $34,700 bill. I’m a retired widow. Renewal by Andersen won’t accept my phone calls. I know I only have two years to try and make this right, their instillation warranty is only good for two years. I recommend no one buy Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, you may be sorry like me.
Sounds like our issue. We can put a piece of paper between the stationary and sliding panels, close the door, and easily pull the paper out. The area director though says their tech found nothing wrong. Outrageous! Contacting atty general.
I live in Northwest Ohio. I purchased 16 Renewal by Andersen replacement windows in June 2021. This winter I noticed they all felt drafty, so I put plastic over two windows and I was very disappointingly shocked to see the plastic bulge into the room. There is a lot of cold air infiltration coming into my house. I’ve notified Renewal by Andersen in their Maumee, Ohio office where the windows were bought. They said they will put in 4 small H sponges in each window, I doubt that will work. I’m so afraid I made a huge mistake to pick Renewal by Andersen for my replacement windows. These windows are much worse that the original windows they took out. I used my 401K to pay for the $34,700 bill. I’m a retired widow. Renewal by Andersen won’t accept my phone calls. I know I only have two years to try and make this right, their instillation warranty is only good for two years. I recommend no one buy Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, you may be sorry like me.
Same story here. Leaking patio doors. We can put a piece of paper between the stationary and sliding panels, close the door, and easily pull the paper out. Their area director says their tech found nothing wrong!
I live in Northwest Ohio. I purchased 16 Renewal by Andersen replacement windows in June 2021. This winter I noticed they all felt drafty, so I put plastic over two windows and I was very disappointingly shocked to see the plastic bulge into the room. There is a lot of cold air infiltration coming into my house. I’ve notified Renewal by Andersen in their Maumee, Ohio office where the windows were bought. They said they will put in 4 small H sponges in each window, I doubt that will work. I’m so afraid I made a huge mistake to pick Renewal by Andersen for my replacement windows. These windows are much worse that the original windows they took out. I used my 401K to pay for the $34,700 bill. I’m a retired widow. Renewal by Andersen won’t accept my phone calls. I know I only have two years to try and make this right, their instillation warranty is only good for two years. I recommend no one buy Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, you may be sorry like me.
Do not buy Anderson doors. I had french doors by Anderson installed in May. The french door has been leaking since installed when it rains. I have to towels by the door so the water does not damage anymore of my wood floors or when we get a lot of rain coming I seal the outside of the door with a large tarp with duck tape.
The screwed up my door, refused to do anything to fix it unless they voided my warranty! They then offered me $250 to hire someone to fix it (and then they would void my warranty) IF I signed amNon Disclosure Agreement. I told them to shove it up their [censored]. I just spent $50k on windows, and they want to buy my silence with $250. They SUCK, and they abuse consumers daily. Everything out of their salesmen’s mouths are lies. All of it.
Similar to our story. Butchered installation of entry and storm doors. Eventually gave us our money back but not before trying to void warranty on $35k of unrelated products, and trying to get us to sign a new agreement subject to a different state law, and trying to force us to sign a ridiculously broad gag order. Told them they are the ones damaging their own reputation!
I having problems with Renewal by Andersen windows. Their technician saw it and told me they screwed up. His manager and their insurance company denied the claims. Every contractor also remarked the window installation was bad I would love to find an attorney to sue them. An attorney willing to do this lawsuit on an contingency basis
If anyone has any information on a attorney please contact me at your earliest convenience
bnlee2@yahoo.coml
My comment is not on the windows or door that were replaced. My problem is that the crew was here in June of 2020. Stole my wife's silver coins and coin books handed down by her mother.
Unfortunately, the thief was not discovered until September 5, 2021. I filed a police report and insurance report. Since so much time had passed since the thief, there was really nothing that could be done. Needless to say there was disappointment and disgust on my part. I felt violated with what had transpired.
I even tipped the crew-on top of the $5, 000 to $6, 000 in coins that were taken.
Gary Otten
Wading River, New York
My wife and I were approached by the con man / salesman who told us the 8 windows would cost us $32, 000. We live in a house that was built in 1954. We weren't looking for windows that would deflect a nuclear attack just something that would be better than the old wood framed windows that were originally installed. Needles to say we did not take their GENEROUS deal so we found another installer that a woman at our credit Union turned us on to and all 8 windows were replaced for $2800, imagine that! It still turns my blood cold every time I see one of their many ads come on over the television. They are a bunch of ripoffs and a bunch of crooks taking advantage of anyone who'll take the bait. SHAME ON THEM!
They just charged my 79 year old sister almost $7400 to replace 4 upstairs windows, 2 in each end of the house. I was livid when I heard that. Too late.
Warning watch out for Renewal by Anderson sale people they will trick you by having you sign on there computer then change the information without your knowledge just be careful of there over price windows and patio doors there are much cheaper and better quality out there if you shop around
Stay a way from Renewal by Anderson they are just over price windows and patios doors there are much better and cheaper quality if you look the sales people are very con they will tell you one thing change the contract with out you knowing
When my windows were installed, none were sealed like I was told they would be.. Then they had to remove and replace the newly installed trim because it was all installed properly. And I paid $17, 000.00 for this poor service.. Very Disapointed with this company..
I'm an 93 year old widow and recently installed 15 RBA windows at a cost of $38, 000 dollars. The windows "look" good, but the carpenters not so good. The piece down the center of each set seems to be put on with only one small nail and the pieces come right off in my hand. They did tell me that the wood windows would have to be painted - by me - so I'll have to do that or hire someone. All the little nail holes should be filled, but that's another job left for me. My house is old and there is some rot. They said minor work would be included in the price but my grandson was going to the major repairs.. They automatically did that and just doubled the price of the windows for $19, 000. I could go on but it would take too long for you to read. I doubt if they did too much repair and I need to have the shingles removed to check - for my benefit - as I don't think I'll get any satisfaction from RBA.
littleceleste13@llgmail.com
I have many of the same problems! I could write a book about how bad this company is. Shoddy work. Windows don't fit properly. Customer service is terrible. Run, don't walk away from this company. My friend used Window World and she is completely satisfied. Not one complaint with her windows. She came by to look at my windows and made her decision NOT to use Renewal and to go with Window World. I also heard good things about Newpro.