1st Choice Glass Block LLC

Talked to Matt (the owner) whom we had a misunderstanding on the meeting. He went ahead and did the measurements on the outside and left a estimate in mail box on 6-11-07. I got back to him the next day to confirm. We set the time to do the work on 6-25-07 at 9:30 a.m. Matt called at 9:00 a.m to tell me they would be around 11:30 a.m because there was a problem. But he was very sorry about the delay. At 11:45 Brad the installer arrived and started to work he was very friendly and knowledgeable. Explained what he was doing. I was meeting with a Insurance man at the time. When my meeting was over. I watched Brad word. When he finished the job he went around and cleaned up all the mess. He was all done by 3:30 p.m. The windows look great. They have a lifetime guarantee that is transferable to the next homeowner. Would use them again in the future.

I got several estimates. 1 st Choice was about the same as others. Chose them with the belief the basement glass block windows were locally made. When I saw them, after the old windows were ripped out, I realized that they were probably standard mass-produced assemblies. Too late. 16" X 32" hole was filled with 14" X 24" square of glass block, a couple of 1.5" concrete slabs and lots of concrete "grout." Installation was OK. Jake was about 45 minutes late. Frames were removed, as promised. Work was somewhat neat inside and outside. However, he forgot to grout the inside bottom of one window. I called Mat and asked that the job be finished. Too busy the next day and Saturday, he said. Showed up unannounced sometime Monday and left copy of the repair notice in the mailbox. Finally reached Matt after 6 pm and rescheduled for Thursday after 1:30 pm. Showed up unannounced at 4:30 pm Grade: "B-" for glass block work and "F" for telecommunication equipment operation.

Installer was quick. Cleaned up nicely outside but not as well inside. Left some insulation and other debris lying around. He did a nice job with the installation. Also, would've appreciated knowing ahead of time that the paneling around two of the window would have to removed and cut down to size. The company didn't offer to cut it down for me, so it hasn't been replaced as yet. The installer did explain what needed to be done.

I took off work to have them come install a window in the morning. I received a phone call letting me know that they wanted to change the time to afternoon. I told them I couldn't do this and they left it up in the air when they would be here. They came an hour late and said the window didn't fit. They were to come back later but they called and said the window had broken because it didn't have time to set. They then said they would come back on saturday and they did. The installer was very friendly, and said I would be compensated for my inconvenience. When I talked to the owner though he was extremely rude and unprofessional, stating that they wouldn't lower the price. He said if he thought I wouldn't pay the $250, he would have told me to go elsewhere. All I was looking for originally was for them to be straight forward and apologize to me. I understand that things don't always go smoothly but the least the owner could do would be to apologize and act professional towards me.

The owner came out and provided a free estimate. They were able to install quickly and even called me to schedule an appointment, sooner. They returned phone calls quickly and did a good job installing the windows. I think they did a good job, overall. The only thing that needs improvement, is the clean-up. I think the company should sweep up the mess afterward, not the homeowner.

Price reflects senior discount. They were very good. He was very neat. I like the finished product. I was happy that they were able to accommodate a unique request for no additional charge that another company wanted to charge me 20% more for.

Job 1: The man was on time, did a great job, and cleaned up after himself! Job 2: They were on time, cleaned up the mess, and were very nice. The glass block wall looks beautiful and I love it!

They were on time, very professional and did a good job. Cleaned up after themselves.

The process was very easy from start to finish. They came out to measure the windows and installation occurred 3 days later. The windows look great!

Great. Prompt, and cleaned up after work was complete.

The glass block looks great. The problem is that the entire reason for wanting the glass block is that the old window frames are rusted into Swiss cheese. These guys set the new glass block in the old frame instead of pulling out the frame. They were here and gone in less than an hour instead of taking the time to remove the frame and then setting the block. At this point I have wasted my money and will have to pay someone else to come remove this block and the rusted frame and start from scratch. At the very least the estimator should have pointed out that they would not be able to fix the frame and let us hire someone else to fix the frame before installing the glass block.

Following the February snow/ice storm, we accidentally broke one of our basement windows with a chunk of ice while shoveling the driveway. We had been thinking of installing glass block for awhile, but suddenly the matter became urgent. Matt was able to come out the day I called for an estimate. Based on the other Angie's list reports I had reviewed, I was happy with the price he quoted. Lucky for us, the company also had an open appointment the next day at 1:00pm so we went ahead and scheduled the work. The next day, Jake called at 12:30pm to confirm directions to our house and said he was on his way. He got here at 12:40 (twenty minutes early) and had the job done in less than two hours. He was courteous and professional, and cleaned up all the debris from the old windows. He did a great job and the windows look great.

Excellent job. We had used this company before for glass block replacement windows. They called to verify appointment time on the day of the job. Work took awhile but the windows that were removed were larger than most basement windows. Installer was very professional and cleaned up everything when work was completed including sweeping the carpet. They took all old windows and related materials with them when the job was completed.

Initial contact to set up estimate appt was pleasant. An installer, Josh came out and an gave us an estimate, matter of fact without huge sales pitch. This was followed by an appt with a competitor of 1st choice. The Competitor's salesperson insisted that minimal 2 of the basement windows must be vented, per building code regulations and that he was recommending 3 vented ones( of course at additional cost.) Additionally, the difference between the 2 companies cost was nearly $300. I called Matt of 1st choice to discuss the information received from the other company's "salesdog." Matt, while not speaking in any derogatory manner, stated the information that I was given by the competitor was indeed a fallacy and that it could be verified on a state building code website. With much comfort and confidence we thus selected ST choice. The installer Brad was professional and unobtrusive in his work. He arrive at our home at 10 and had all the windows installed and cleaned up by 3:15.

I called to arrange an on-site estimate. They came out the next day and gave me an estimate. They actually arrived earlier than expected and we were home to let them in. They came back 2 days later to do the work. It was completed in about 2 hours and they cleaned up any mess before they left. They did take our original window (which I did not expect, but I didn't ask about it either). Overall great job, no complaints. I would use them again.

Matt came out for the estimate, very nice person - did the estimate quickly/accurately. I later scheduled the installation for Jan 20. I was told several times that it was very likely they would be out between 9:30-10 AM. At 8:30 AM on Jan 20, I received a call informing me they would be out at 12 noon. At 10:45 AM, I get a call letting me know they're on their way - and were at my house at 11 AM sharp. I was told it would take approximately 4-5 hours for installation - to my astonishment, they completed the job only after a little over one hour. Only two minor complaints - 1) the time they showed up (my schedule that day was *very* tight and I was relying on the 9:30-10 AM start time and 2) they neglected to haul away one of the old windows. These are minor items, however - I would hire them again based on price, reputation, and speed of work.

Excellent. Second time I've used these guys. They came out ASAP for an estimate and schedule work within a week.

Needed these replaced quickly after a break-in. They were able to give an estimate the next day and install the day after. The install took about 5 hours. Final results look great. They were less expensive than a competitor and could get the job done quickly.

10/11/06 sales rep. quoted price to replace two basement windows with glass block. He brought samples of different style block. Choice was made and block installed 10/18/06. Excellent service, cleaned up debris from old windows.

The estimate for the job was lower than the competing companies we consulted. The owner came and did the estimate himself. He even called to see if he could come earlier in the day, since he was in the neighborhood. We felt confident, based on their Angie's List previous history, that they would do a good job. The work was done well, cleanly and professionally. The windows look great, the caulking looks great, and we already noticed that the basement was warmer and brighter. Very pleased with the work.

Matt responded promptly to my request for an estimate. Upon acceptance of estimate, work was performed in a timely manner. Company was great at calling ahead before arrival. Bryon and Nathan, who installed the windows, were friendly and mannerly, worked diligently without breaks or lunch and did a good job never complaining about the cold weather. Job site was cleaned up and old windows hauled away after completion.

The project was a success! Matt (the owner) came out to measure the windows. He was prompt, professional, and courteous. His installer was also prompt, professional, and courteous. He even ran the vacuum after the installation. I would highly recommend them if you are considering glass block windows!

Matt returned my call first thing on a Monday morning and set up an estimate for the next day. He called me the day of the estimate to let me know he was running early which was great. He arrived at the newly agreed upon time and measured all the windows from the outside. He did a good job explaining what he recommended and wasn't too pushy. Matt followed up a week later to see if I had chosen a company. It was a toss up between 1st Choice and another company. I ended up going with another company, but may use 1st Choice for another glass block job I have coming up.

THEY HAD TO CAP IT BECAUSE OF THE STUCCO, THE COLOR DOESN'T MATCH, AND THE CAPPING IS OVERSIZED. ALSO, THE MORTAR THEY USED TO GO AROUND THE WINDOW SEPARATES FROM THE CAPPING, SO IT LACKS A SOLID SEAL. FINALLY, THE MORTAR IS CRACKING AND CHIPPED, AND IT WAS ONLY INSTALLED ONE WEEK AGO. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND INITIALLY THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO MAKE ME HAPPY. THE INSTALLER THEN CAME OUT, SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REINSTALL THE WHOLE WINDOW AND WON'T. I HAVE TALKED TO A COMPETITOR WHO TOLD ME IT COULD BE RECAPPED DIFFERENTLY, BUT SHOULD BE REINSTALLED. WE DON'T TRUST 1ST CHOICE. TO ADD, THE WINDOW CAME IN TWO PIECES AND WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WOULD BE ONE PIECE. THE TWO PIECES DO NOT EVEN LINE UP. ALSO, WITHOUT ASKING, HE SET THE WINDOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SILL AND WE LOST THE INSIDE SILL THAT WE USE. WE FINALLY FOUND OUT HE DAMAGED THE HOUSE, AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE OVERSIZED CAPPING.

Rich installed the window and was very polite and did a nice job. They had some scheduling problems and he was late, but they called to let me know.