This Kitchener area window company is rated 3.2 from 2 reviews with a TrustScore of 2.0. Services offered include window installation work. Read their reviews, ask about license and insurance information, and request a quote.
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I would give a lower rating if possible. I am a single women nearing retirement who contracted this company to update, remove, and install all the windows in my house (18) and the front door and screen while I still have full income. I paid a substantial deposit in spring 2023 (approximately 33%), I paid another 57% (90% of project) in mid July when the project was 'almost complete' according to the contractor with the promise that I could trust him to deal with several issues that needed remedies (frosted glass where clear was ordered, double pane windows where triple pane windows were ordered, missing screens). The contractor also mismeasured the expensive windows for 2 rooms and talked me into accepting work arounds that I did not really want.
He asked for the final 10% payment before the final issues were dealt with. I told him I would not pay the final 10% until all the work was done and I had all the necessary documents. He claimed he was filing the nonpayment with the credit bureau (not sure how it is a nonpayment when all the work has not been completed??).
When I continued to ask for documents, I found the contractor did not get a building permit. He wrote in the contract that one was needed, told me he would do it, and led me to believe he had. I have had to deal with the city regarding the lack of the permit or face fines. I now have to hire someone to tear the trim and drywall down around the 5 windows that were newly installed, so the city can come in and check the work was done to code. I had had the painting of all the drywall and trim and professional cleaning done when I found out no building permit was obtained. If the work was not done to code, I will have to have the headers redone. I will have to have the drywall and trim replaced and finished again. It is now winter 2024 and the promised fixes have not been completed and I am looking at more work and possibly substantial bills due to the building permit not being obtained and necessary inspections not being completed. I feel silly for trusting this man and not being more involved, but he told me that was why I was paying him-> so I didn't have to be stressed.
The contractor sent me an email claiming he will complete all work only if I show him evidence of removal of all negative reviews and send him a statement that I will never post another negative review about his company, so if he can sue me if I do. The fact is that my experience with this company has not been good. The stress started the day the windows were taken off the truck and the installer said the contractor had not taken the roof line into consideration when measuring the windows in 2 of the rooms and continues. I don't want others to have the same experience.
Given my experience, I question why the company does not have more negative reviews. Agreeing to complete contracted work on the condition of no negative reviews seems unethical to me. Giving a factual negative review is not slander.
Response to the rebutal
The rebuttal implies that Budget Home Improvements would like to work on getting the job done. The statement is worded as if I have never contacted the company. I have tried to work with the company since shortly after Mr Lindner left my house in and around mid July with over $48,000 of my hard-earned money (including first and second payments), making promises to be back to finish up the job as soon as the correct windows and screens were manufactured (in about 6 weeks) (I have the email evidence). I even enlisted the help of the Better Business Bureau. To date, Mr Lindner is refusing to complete the work or do any warranty work until I pay him in full (even as work is not complete) and remove all online reviews.
I have agreed to have a bank draft with the $5000 (approximately) that I owe for the incomplete work (which is worth substantially more than what I owe by my calculations) at my house and ready for him as soon as the incomplete work and any new work caused by the work being done without a building permit is complete. I have refused to remove reviews I have completed to date as I think potential customers should know what I have been through. I am happy to update my reviews, as I am updating this one, once the work is complete.
Mr Lindner claims about the building permit drawings are untrue - the fact is that I did the drawings myself -> professionals were not needed. The building permit is now in my possession and, as stated in my review, the work that Mr Lindner did on the windows/doors that were enlarged or added must be exposed (meaning trim and drywall around the windows and patio door must be removed) for inspection. If the work is not up to code, it will have to be redone.
His claim about the frosted windows being listed in the original contract is untrue – I have the signed contract; frosted windows are not mentioned in it. The suggestion of frosted windows and my saying no happened before the original contract was signed. I insisted on triple glazed windows from the first time I spoke with him (I have emails documenting this).
So, I ask myself,
1) if I, someone with no experience in this type of work, could do the drawings needed for a building permit, why would someone with years of experience in the area not be able to do them?
2) why would a contractor who knew that a building permit was necessary to make structural changes to a house do the work without one?
3) why would a contractor demand payment in full before all the contracted work is complete and why would a customer agree?
We here at Budget Windows and Doors are sorry that your experience with us did not meet your expectations.
We do apologize about the miscommunication regarding the frosted glass and triple glazing. You had originally ordered this type of glass on the original Sales Agreement and then you asked us to change it at a later date by email. This change was unfortunately missed. We have since reordered the glass at no extra charge to you. Regarding the screens, we felt that they did not quite fit properly so we had them remade for you again at no charge to you.
Regarding the building permit, we agreed to help you fill out the application. At no time did we agree to obtain Architectural drawings required by the City for you or incur any costs required by the Municipality. Normally when a Municipality requires architectural drawings, the homeowner is required to hire an architect for these drawings. We are not qualified to produce architectural drawings as you requested.
The main issue that remains is the fact that all of the work on the original Sales Agreement has been completed and signed off by you. However, you still have not paid the remaining $5000. We have repeatedly explained to you that no more Service work or Warranty work can be completed until your invoice has been paid in full. Once the balance is paid in full, we will be more then happy to change the glass and the screens immediately.
We are sorry your experience at Budget Windows and Doors was not excellent. Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We would love to hear from you to resolve this issue.
Great job, Installed windows and siding on my home. I had 1 issue with the siding as my home is in a bit of a wind tunnel but they came back the next day to repair. Haven't had any issues since. Kept the workplace tidy.
Budget Home Improvement has a TrustScore™ of 2.0. The average TrustScore™ for other businesses providing similar services in Kitchener and the surrounding areas is 3.1. For detailed information on how TrustScore is calculated, click here to learn more.
The following elements are used to calculate TrustScore:
Customer Reviews | Last 12 Months | All Time |
---|---|---|
Total Received | 1 | 2 |
Approved | 1 | 2 |
Unverified | 0 | 0 |
Suspicious | 0 | 0 |
Overall Rating | 1.3/5 | 3.2/5 |
Complaints Received | Last 12 Months | Last 3 Years |
---|---|---|
Suppliers & Creditors | 0 | 0 |
Employees & Sub-Contractors | 0 | 0 |
Transparency | |
---|---|
Posted License Information | Services listed by Budget Home Improvement may not require a Trade License. Check local laws to confirm license requirements before hiring. |
Posted Liability Insurance | Not yet provided |
Posted Workers Compensation | Not yet provided |
Company Website | No |
Social Media Profiles | Not yet provided |
Endorsed by Peers | Not yet endorsed |
In Business Since | |
Member of TrustedPros Since | 2016 |
TrustedPros does not validate certain information provided by contractors and vendors in conjunction with the creation or maintenance of their profile and we cannot endorse or guarantee the performance of any contractor. TrustScores are provided for informational purposes only. We urge you to use the TrustScore™ in conjunction with the tips provided in our Hiring Guide to maximize the probability of hiring the best professional for you project.
This Kitchener area window company is rated 3.2 from 2 reviews with a TrustScore of 2.0. Services offered include window installation work. Read their reviews, ask about license and insurance information, and request a quote.
Main contact(s) | Robert Lindner |
Listed with TrustedPros since: | 2016 |
Residential work | Yes |
Commercial work | Yes |
Warranty | Warranty details not yet provided |
Accepts credit cards | Yes |
Year established | |
Offers financing | Yes |
24 Hour emergency service | Yes |
Legal structure | |
Licensing information | Services listed by Budget Home Improvement may not require a Trade License. Check local laws to confirm license requirements before hiring. |
Insurance information | Contact Budget Home Improvement to request insurance details. |
Check local laws pertaining to license requirements and verify license and insurance details provided by the contractor prior to hiring.