Welda Windows & Doors

Welda replaced 80% of my home's windows back in 2014 - Eli, my sales rep, was great & all went according to plan. The installer was very efficient & good. I was very happy with the results. So, when I decided to reno the house's main bathroom this winter & needed to replace the window, I contacted Eli for a new quote for a special window for 'in' the shower.

The installer was an older gentleman named Jim. Jim had also 'measured' the window for the manufacturer, so the replacement should have been an easy thing - pop out the old one, insert the new one. Only that isn't what happened... and my install turned into a disaster.

The old window came out easily, just as my contractor had said it would. But when Jim started working on the new window install, he told me it was giving him problems, and was a bit too big. Now, instead of saying he couldn't do the install, take away the bad window, and admit to having measured wrong... he said that he could make it fit. He simply needed to cut a piece of wood & move it over... something that wouldn't affect anything, and would be ok. Not having a contractor brain (and in truth, homeowners shouldn't have to!), I trusted his process. Hours passed, and he finally finished up... all 'appearing' ok. However, all was NOT ok.

When my husband & contractor, both who were unable to be at the house with me that day, showed up to see the new install... they both blew a gasket!! Jim had CUT A LOAD BEARING STUD on the house's outer wall (part of the window's frame) and left it hanging in limbo. He tried to add some band aid pieces to help the framing, but it was a hack job, and they both knew it. The window wasn't a bit too big, it was too wide by 2"... and in order to make it fit, he had had to cut a bigger hole in the wall, including cutting the outside of the house to make it work!!! Suddenly, I was dealing with the structural safety issue of a wall of my bathroom, from a simple window replacement! I contacted Welda immediately, and Mercedes was very quick to deal with the problem (including offering a discount for my inconvenience). I insisted that someone come out right away to fix the problem, however I DID NOT want Jim... I didn't trust him, nor his unprofessional approach to the install. Welda's answer was not to have a manager or owner call me, which is what they said would happen... but I suddenly had Jim calling me, begging to go back to the house to fix a mistake that was very much his own - hey, sometimes mistakes happen, he said. Sorry, a mistake?! No, this was an unacceptable move for an installer who so proudly claimed to have been installing windows for 30 years. I reluctantly agreed to let Jim return to the house to meet with my contractor to fix the window/wall... and was once again appalled to learn that he didn't even show up with materials to fix anything, and had to use what my contractor had on hand. Oh, to add one more bad thing to the pile... the window wasn't even installed SQUARE.

I am furious that the situation even happened. I had such a great run with Welda, and they have great windows -- but I think it's time for them to ask Jim to hang up his tools! This guy ruined their reputation & any referrals from me. And if by chance you do go with them... BE SURE NOT TO GET JIM!! It will cost you time, money & sour energy to fix his mistakes.