The Windows, Part 1

Our house has original windows, builder-basic wood.  This is an East home, and now that they’re bankrupt, I have to warn, these are horribly-constructed houses, and you should never buy one.  Find out who actually built the house before you buy!  I’ve had various contractors shake their heads and literally walk away, because they don’t want to deal with the surprises lying within.  The HVAC system is a total joke, but this article is about the windows.

As wood windows do after 15 years, the ones taking the brunt of weather (on the north and west) have rotted and need to be replaced.  Two leak into the house.  I’ve bandaged the situation with multiple tubes of clear caulk over the years.  But this summer’s storms have really done a number on those bandages, and just looking at them crumbles them.  So it’s time to ante up and get it done.

Last year, I attempted to get quotes for wood replacement windows in the front bedrooms.  One guy wrote his quote on the back of a business card.  One replacement  window company rep said he would mail the quote, but never did; my two follow-up calls went unanswered.  One contractor pulled in front of the house, looked from his truck, and drove away.  What the heck?!  Discouraged, I gave up and applied another bandage.  Which now has been shredded by wind and hail.

The process of selecting windows and getting quotes has been extremely frustrating.  The other day I was literally in tears on the way to a showroom.  The initial process of meeting with contractors, selecting window options, and getting quotes is my responsibility.  I am the CEO of my household, and dh has appointed me this job, as he is too busy to deal with it.  And, since I am the one who will be home to deal with the installers, I have to be comfortable with them.

Since our situation is not storm-related (read: insurance money), getting assistance has been near impossible.  I had one contractor give a quote (which he had me write on the back of his business card) that was very reasonable.  When I later called him to order, he said, “I screwed up real bad.  I can’t do the job for that amount.  And I can’t fit it in with my other jobs.  I really don’t do wood windows, so I’m not going to do it.”  His other jobs are more lucrative than mine.  I was very clear with what I wanted when I set up appointments.  Yet at least two reps tried to sell me something I did not want.  Most of the companies I called asked, “Is there a Mister Cheap Thrills?!?”  What does that matter?  Yeah, well, I figured that out.  From now on, my reply is, “You’ll be dealing with me.  I am the decision-maker.”

This being the poorly-constructed house that it is, we have window sizing issues.  (Corky must have gotten the odd-size rejects from the window supplier.)  Now we’re faced with a “custom” project.  But we tried to discuss ways to possibly reduce cost and do a little construction hocus-pocus to resolve the issues.  I have and can drywall.  I have and can paint and stain and install interior trim.  We can build up wall area to accommodate a slightly smaller window.  Only two “experts” suggested my painting/staining to reduce cost.

Figuring we would buy the windows ourselves and have someone else install them, I got prices from Builder’s Supply.  We would bite the bullet.  But who could install them?  BSupply has a list of independent contractors they are familiar with, and whose information they shared.  I have tried to contact each one of them at least twice, and one has finally returned the call; we have an estimate appointment set for later this week.  With no one to install the windows, we did not order them yet.

Mister Cheap Thrills showed a strong interest in Pella.  Not one contractor has suggested them.  Having heard that it is much cheaper to buy them retail than direct (?!), I drove to Lowe’s, in tears over this whole process.  And I left with a smile on my face.  Thank you, Eric the Manager!  I did not know he was the manager, but he immediately offered to help me, and DID, even without an appointment, and did not cop an attitude or pass me off!  180th and W. Center location  — go there! 

So I was able to see all the products they have to offer, have my product questions answered, and get a ballpark estimate.  Biggest bonus: Lowe’s uses independent contractors, whose installation they back for a year.  You pay a small amount ($35) for the installer to come out, get details on the project, and you’re supposed to get a final quote on installation and windows.  I’m currently waiting for the installer to schedule an appointment.  That alone is worth $35, which, btw, is applied to the total installation cost. 

For various reasons, at Lowe’s I did not get the estimate on Pella, but was really pleased with Peachtree windows.  Once we get the installation cost (and separate construction estimate), and the final “official” measurements, we’ll be able to pick precisely the windows and features we want.  I hope this will be in the next few weeks, with installation in September.

In the meantime, I’m going back up to the bedrooms this morning to hang out the windows and caulk the worst areas.  Yeah, 95 degrees.  Fun times.  Stay tuned for how this process continues.

Hot Weather Cooking 1

What do you cook for your family when the heat index creeps up to 110?!  Big salads with leftover chicken breast or thin-sliced steak.  “Cold plate” with fruit, maybe.  If you have some free meal coupons (from the library reading program?) you might go out to eat. 

How about pulling out that Crock Pot?  Crock meals don’t have to be creamy, starchy, heavy dishes (although those are nice in the dead of winter).  Here’s what I’m making for dinner tonight, while the temps hover around 95 with HX around 105.

Monday: Crock Pot Barbecued Pork:  A week ago or so, I picked up a beautiful pork shoulder butt roast for 1.68/pound.  I rewrapped it (Foodsaver), and put it in the freezer for such a day as this.  After thawing, I will brown this, add S&P, then put it in the Crock Pot to cook up really well.  I’ll put this out on the shaded back patio, on the grill counter, so that we don’t have any more heat in the house.  After it’s cooked, I’ll cut off enough meat and store it for a stir-fry later on Wednesday, then shred the remaining, and add our favorite barbecue sauce (imported from Georgia).  Later, I’ll mix up some cole slaw from cabbage I shredded late last week (squirt with lemon juice to keep from browning, and get all the air out of the bag) and mix in some prepared dressing.  And I’ll microwave some corn spiffed-up with whatever herbs/spices I feel like adding.

Aside from the heat-reduction qualities of this meal, it’s a Cheap Thrill, too! 

• about 1 1/2 pounds pork = 2.52
• buns, pulled from the freezer = .40
• The sauce is worth more than gold to us, but cost about .20 per 4 sandwiches
• slaw = .35
• corn = .44. 
• pickles = FREE (gift)
• milk x 4 = .60

So, for about 4.50 I will feed four hungry diners a delicious barbecue dinner, WHILE keeping the kitchen cool.  That beats the local “dollar menu” dinner by far!  BONUSES: pre-cooked pork for stir-fry, PLUS another two meals’ worth of bbq goes in the freezer for crazy fall schedule days.

Thrilled?  You bet!  I get to shrug at the SUVs wasting gas in the drive-thru, and shake my head at the droves of minivans cramming restaurant parking lots.  I know we’re making the most of our food dollars, getting meals we really love, and beating the heat.