AUSTIN & SON LLC

Jerry asked for a check for half his labor up front and half the cost of the windows, both reasonable requests. We also trusted him since he was referred by our realtor. Not a good idea. Issue 1: The windows were installed in mid-September. The screens were just dumped in our outbuilding, still in boxes, he never returned to install them despite multiple requests. Issue 2: In our garage he never put back the inside trim around the windows after they were installed. Issue 3, and the worst of all: The financial stunt he pulled on us. Jerry was given two checks: one for half his labor made out to him, another for half the cost of the windows made out to him with a note in the memo stating it was for Pella Windows. He told us that the 2nd check would be used for payment on the windows and that he would give us the invoice for the remainder of the balance from Pella when it arrived. The windows were installed and things seemed alright. We asked about the invoice from Pella for the rest of the window payment and Jerry was very evasive. In late October our decorator contacted us to let us know that Pella Windows had called her to inform her they were going to file a mechanic's lien against us for non-payment. This was a shock to her and us. It turned out that Jerry had kept the money from both checks. Pella Windows had not been paid a bit of the $32,000.00 worth of windows that went into our home. In keeping both checks Jerry not only put us in a horrible position with Pella but he lied to us numerous times about why we weren't getting invoices from them or why he wasn't billing us for the other half of his labor. We were horribly embarrassed to find out Pella hadn't been paid a dime and had to go in and explain to them in person what had happened. Also, Jerry kept almost a thousand more than he was due. For the last six months we have requested he return the overpayment and put the trim on the garage windows, labor he was already paid for. He has NEVER responded to phone calls or certified letters. If you trust this man it would be a foolish mistake.

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Jerry assisted with ordering the new windows and made sure everything was correct. The window with the half round was on the second floor so it was more difficult but the install went smoothly. I couldn't ask for a better contractor. Although everything went smoothly I suggest insisting on a detailed signed contract just from my previous experience with other contractors.

The work was planned and executed very nicely. Following initial meetings to go over the job at the house, the work was completed as scheduled in a single day. The results look very good and fit well with the existing features of the house. Jerry is nice to work with and does a great job. Other people that knew Jerry have high opinions of his work as well, which is always nice to hear.

There is not one thing that was not done to perfection. Also, even though his expertise is window installation, which he has perfected over twenty professional years of experience, there is nothing that he can't do. However, he is very up front in saying that electrical and plumbing are not in his areas of work. He also presented a very itemized bill of all his purchases for jobs and his labor. The final bill was practically right on his estimate.

I would not hesitate to recommend Jerry to anyone. He and his son did quality work and cleaned up the mess afterward.

Jerry was a Pella window/door installer for more than 17 years. He had built such a good reputation that even employees wanted him to do their windows/doors and remodeling projects. He came highly recommended by the employees I knew. He helped me decide what type of windows would work best for my little ranch, assisted with the ordering and coordinated the delivery so I did not miss time at work. It took him 3 days to complete the entire home. He completely replaced the trim--he could have kept the original however, I wanted a fresh look. He had to "weave" my siding to cover where a new window had to be resized to fix a builder error. He also discovered and installed a missing header! I could not believe the builder did not install the original window correctly when the home was built in the 1970's. He also had to replace and mud the drywall on the inside wall of the incorrectly sized window. He would have installed any window company's window. He cleaned up every day so that my family was not disturbed by the construction. He is so courteous, professional and clean. I have had him do other projects since. He is truly a master craftsman.