Gilkey Window Company Inc

Gilkey was excellent, on time, courteous and clean. They were a little more expensive than some of their competition, but with windows...pay for the quality. Really. Why risk something less than excellent for your home?

The overall service went well. They did arrive on time. They did not create a big mess on the inside of the house. The windows made a big difference to the overall heating of the home and we are very happy with the quality of the windows

Salesman: Bill Boesch came to my house on May 1, 2008. He provided an exceptional presentation of his product-extremely thorough and fully explaining the terms he used. Of all sales people I interacted with, he had the highest level of product knowledge. That said, his original quote of $9,828 was the lowest I received. He called back on Saturday to indicate that he failed to include the cost of a wood grain interior which raised the price to $12,169. This wasn't a huge issue as the original price seemed low for the product. During the sales presentation, I asked about delivery time-how long would it be from finalization of contract and installation. Bill indicated it would be in the 5 to 8 week range and stated he wouldn't be surprised if the windows were available closer to the 5 week mark but could make no promises. I heard nothing from Bill or Gilkey until I called them on July 24th. The rep indicated the windows had just arrived-10 weeks after ordering. Also, during the sales presentation, Bill indicated he "often" stopped by during installation just to check on things; he didn't. We also mentioned how he does "little" things such as providing the customer with $20 to buy the crew coffee and donuts as a goodwill gesture. That did not happen either. Overall, the final selling point was the highest rating from the National Feinstration board regarding energy efficiency. I'd give Bill and the sales process a low "B" with deductions based on the statements that didn't get delivered and the lack of communication regarding delays. Installation:Low D: After setting an installation date of August 1st (a Friday-I took the day off of work so I could be here), I received a call at 4:00 PM on the 31st of July from the installation manager. I was told that due to weather, the crew needed to cancel my appointment. We landed on an installation of Saturday August 9th. The crew, in my opinion, was unprofessional. None of the people introduced themselves or even said "hello". They simply started unloading the truck. I had no idea who was the "leader" as none identified themselves as such. While looking at the windows before installation, I noted the frame of one of the double hung windows had three noticeable gauges which appeared to be caused by someone cutting the protective cardboard from the frame. I mentioned it to one of the workers-he indicated "they would fix it" and walked away. The next person I spoke to, who turned out to be the foreman, first indicated it wouldn't be viewable. I indicated that was not acceptable and we needed to come up with a better solution. He indicated that he would order a new frame but had no idea how long it would take to be delivered. The second issue regarded two spots on the picture window. The spots were ingrained in the window itself and could not be removed. How this passed through quality control is beyond comprehension. The remainder of the installation was uneventful. A different crew return

I selected them on the basis of the "best" window I could identify and could deal directly with the manufacturer. They have several stores to look at products, but in-store was not particularly helpful if you have researched their extensive website. Estimator who came on site was definitely a sales person, but helpful and personable. They follow up with a post contract measurement person. Their assigned in-house installation crew was two men who set up a large van and power tools. One of the crew was the carpenter-very good workmanship for framing and trim. One of the crew as "muscle." Job delayed one day due to rain and "crew" asked to return and did return on a Sunday. Unfortunately, the "muscle" was sick and the carpenter/lead completed more than 1/2 the job on his own over a 12 plus hour work day. Give him credit for work ethic. Would have preferred he had help, since it was a very hot, humid, energy intensive day. Recent major (once in a hundred years) storms a couple of months later resulted in minor water around some windows. Follow-up crew was scheduled and returned within 10 days. Inspected windows inside and out and found very minor movement of caulking in a couple and re-caulked. However, we agreed that the way the water came in, it was very likely from over-sized weep holes in brick facade over windows and related missing mortar. Follow up and warranty related work scheduled and performed by 2 man crew-no fuss, on schedule. I associate their response as consistent with their pricing, which is high.

They gave an estimate in person. We discussed ideas on stopping the rainwater at the addition. I signed a contract. They did the siding and capping. I had to call and get someone back to cap a hole. After the siding was done, it took a while to get the doors. There was a bit of a language barrier with the workers. I had to go to work when they did the doors and I wish they had called to ask me some questions about how to do a couple things. They left my doorbell constantly buzzing. Overall, the job turned out fine in the end. The solution for the rainwater seems to be keeping the water out of my addition. That is a relief.

The installers and the salesmen were very great to work with. The management however was difficult to work with. It took longer for them to deliver the windows and doors then they indicated in the estimate.

The doors were initially ordered in October of last year. I was looking for custom work. The salesperson seemed to be knowledgeable in the field that I wanted. Over the following months I found some hardware I wanted included in the doors and mailed them to the manufacturer in Indiana. There was a delay because the manufacturer was moving. In April we finally had a scheduled date to install the new doors. Installers showed up late in the day to do the work. It was slightly cloudy, and they were complaining about the weather and that they would need to postpone. I called to complain and they said I could buy the doors from them and use my own contractor to install. I did not appreciate this attitude. After deliberation the workers finally got to work. Upon starting the back door, they found some damage. The installers said it would not be a big deal to fix but it would take more time. I then checked the front doors and found they were correctly installed. The mail slot was put in a way that would make it quite easy to unlock the door. I decided to put a hold on installing the faulty door. I got a call from management upset that I would not let his men install the door, despite their admission that it was wrong. He eventually conceded and said they could get it fixed in one week. About a week later two installers showed up, again, late in the day. This time I was not at home. They spent most of the day on the front door. The back door required a bit of touch ups with the metal casings. I did not see them immediately, but my contractor brought concerns of the quality of the install to my attention. Upon inspection I saw a poor caulking job, sloppy and nearly an inch wide. The doors were scratched. They would not close properly. The locks they used were cheap and loose. After the first rainstorm, I checked the doors and found water seeping in the entire door threshold and sidelights. At that point I sent an email to the salesperson I dealt with and copied the manufacturer. I have yet to hear anything back from the company. I am now writing a letter to the president of the company with documentation of the poor installation and verification from another professional of how the doors were in fact installed incorrectly, along with an estimate for the repair work. I overpaid for these doors, and have lost confidence that they can adequately fix the issue.

The price was very high. If it was not for garage window I would have gone with them but they were too expensive for garage windows. I did not like that they were trying to up sell me for services I did not need.

They are excellent workers, and they cleaned up after themselves along the way. We have been incredibly satisfied with the windows, no problems whatsoever.

When we got the call from Gilkey that our doors were ready (it took over 2 months), our general contractor ripped out the old ones, keeping the posts supporting the sunroom roof intact. After a rocky start with a crew that almost didn't arrive when promised (I had to complain to the general manager, who facilitated their dispatch), they started to install the doors, but one was improperly measured, and had to be reordered. So the project ground to a halt. About 3 weeks later, the new doors were ready, and installation was scheduled. As the day of work wound down, the crew ran out of finishing wood. About a week later, they returned, and completed the job. They did beautiful work inspite of the rough stops and starts.

My experience with this company was really great. I have to say that. They are not the most inexpensive place to use for windows, but the quality of the work they do is outstanding. I can't think of one problem I had with them. They were very neat and thorough. They were also organized and responsive to my needs. I have all good things to report about them.

The sales rep was unprofessional at the appointment and never provided the estimate or followed up.

We have windows installed as well. I would highly recommend them.

The salesman was patient in explaining the various options for windows and prices associated with each. We investigated many window companies before settling on Gilkey because of window's construction that appeared to offer excellent insulation and because of Gilkey's well-crafted, high quality installation. We drove by a number of houses with Gilkey windows and were impressed by the careful caulking and smooth cladding around them. Windows ordered in November arrived in February and were installed in one day, with a skillful, polite crew of seven. The workers, permanent employees,were skilled and incredibly efficient, obviously experienced at window installation. The largest window,a 3 window slider, was put into an enlarged opening cut from a space that had held three double hung windows. The windows have made a world of difference in the warmth of the house and in gas bills. Etched glass is beautiful. Gilkey responds quickly to questions after installation as well.

Just got an estimate. The salesperson was very responsive and set up an appointment quickly. He gives a bit too much information and it can get overwhelming at times to listen to all of his data. They seem to have very high energy efficiency windows for a reasonable price but they are not the cheapest. There is a 10 week delay for custom windows. Their windows have very good insulation ratings.

I would have chosen them but I got a better break in price from another company. I have seen their work and it is very impressive.

The price was very reasonable considering the size and quantity of windows. There was a problem with one piece of quarter round, and when I called them to fix it, they came out right away and repaired it.

I put too much trust in the salesman. I did research and thought I was making a good choice. But the new door is letting in all of the cold air. The old windows were less drafty than the new ones are. They told me they would take care of the door, but it's been over two months and the "repair" they made, made it worse.

This is our fourth time using the Gilkey Window Company. We replaced our windows in stages, and with the installation of the basement windows, our house is finished. Once again they did a professional job. We are very satisfied with John Balser, our salesman, as well as with the work that was done by the installers. We highly recommend them.

Salesman was very polite and not pushy at all. Installers did an excellent job and were timely.

SALESMAN AND ESTIMATOR WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL, INFORMATIVE, AND HELPFUL. ACTUAL INSTALLERS WERE A HALF HOUR LATE ON THE DAY OF THE INSTALLATION. WORK DONE WAS VERY GOOD. SOME SCRATCHES WERE MADE BY THE WORKERS ON THE WINDOW FRAMES.

WE WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE SHOW ROOM WINDOWS AND THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY CLAIMED THAT THEY USE THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES AS INSTALLERS AND NOT SUB-JOBBERS. TWO MEN INSTALLED THE WINDOWS AND DID A VERY POOR JOB IN THE EXTERNAL AREAS. THESE INSTALLERS, AS WE LEARNED, WERE SUB-CONTACTORS. NO ONE FROM GILKEY SUPERVISED THEM OR INSPECTED THE WORK IN PROCESS TO MAKE SURE OF THE PROPER INSTALLATION. THE WINDOWS' OUTSIDE TRIM WAS SO BADLY INSTALLED THAT WE RECEIVED A SMALL REFUND FOR THIS FROM GILKEY AFTER THEY RESPONDED TO OUR COMPLAINT, INSPECTED THE INSTALLATION, AND ADMITTED THAT THE WORK WAS POORLY DONE. OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE REST OF THE INSTALLATION HAS NOT YET BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY. PHONE CALLS TO THE CHICAGO GENERAL MANAGER HAVE NEVER BEEN RETURNED NOR HAS MY LETTER TO THE HOME OFFICE BEEN OFFICIALLY ANSWERED. I DO NOT RECOMMEND GILKEY WINDOW CO REGARDING SERVICE & INSTALLATION BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE. I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM.

INITIALLY, WE CHOSE GILKEY BECAUSE OF THE PRODUCT & INTERACTION WITH THE SALESMAN AS ALL THE ESTIMATES WE RECEIVED WERE THE SAME. HOWEVER, IT DID TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO SCHEDULE THE INSTALLATION APPOINTMENT ONCE WINDOWS WERE ORDERED- THE WINDOWS WERE AT THE COMPANY, BUT NO CALLS WERE RETURNED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. INSTALLATION LOOKS GREAT, & THEY DID A VERY NICE JOB FINISHING THE APPEARANCE. THEY DID LEAVE A LITTLE MESS, & WERE VERY LATE IN ARRIVING. OVERALL, WE ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR WORK.

WE WERE A BIT OVERWHELMED BY INFORMATION IN THE SALES PITCH. AFTER THREE HOURS, MY HUSBAND SAID HE HAD TO STOP FOR THE NIGHT. WHILE THE PRODUCT SOUNDED GOOD, THE PRICE WAS HIGHER THAN ANOTHER COMPANY FOR WHAT SEEMED COMPARABLE. WE ALSO FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT THE SALESMAN WAS ADAMANT ABOUT CERTAIN QUALITY FEATURES THAT ONLY THEIR COMPANY HAD. ACTUALLY, EVERY HIGH END COMPANY WE TALKED TO HAD THOSE FEATURES. HE WAS ON TIME AND HAD A PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION FOR A GOOD PRODUCT, BUT THE COMBINATION OF PRICE AND APPROACH LED US TO SIGN WITH ANOTHER COMPANY.

GREAT COMPANY. EVERYTHING HAPPENED AS THEY TOLD ME.