Universal Windows Direct

We decided to replace a few windows that were in the worst condition; some of the frames were rotten in places.

Important note: We had no idea since we had never replaced windows before that window replacement just means inserting a new glass unit into the existing frame, not replacing the entire window 1:1. The company representative never mentioned this, and we assumed it was obvious what replacing a window meant. That's why, after brief negotiations, we accepted the price for replacing a few windows. We thought it would be worth it.

After the installation, when we realized what window replacement actually involved, we felt completely ripped off. We would have never agreed to such an inflated price just to replace the central part of the windows, and on top of that, lose 20% of the glass surface.

The manager at Universal Windows Direct completely ignored us. He never responded to our texts, even though we asked repeatedly. The technician promised to follow up the next day. No one ever got back to us. We called and messaged multiple times. They tried calling us, but that was against our clear request to contact us via text or leave a specific phone number since we were often unable to answer phone calls.

But that's not all. After signing the contract, we received no paperwork. Two months later, we got a call about the installation date, and that was it. The installation itself didn't go smoothly either; someone messed up the window handles, and we had to wait another two full months for the correct ones. No joke—two months of unusable sliding glass doors. And did I mention they installed new glass units into the old frames and didn't bother to address the parts of the frames that clearly needed repair?

We only received copies of the contract, warranty, and invoice after calling the company office following the final handle installation. Our suggestion for a discount was flat-out ignored.

This is not a professional business, let alone an ethical one. Ethical behavior in business was still largely the norm just fifty years ago. Today, we've reached such a level of greed that even ripping people off is considered just doing business. Read other critical reviews of this company—they're pretty clear. You'll save yourself money and frustration by choosing a different window company.

I wanted siding for our modestsingle wide mobile home plus new gutters. A Universal Windows guy came out and spent 1 and a half boring hours puffing up his company.

The spiel was that they have the best installers, the best product, the best Customer Service etc etc etc. I was expecting new siding and gutters maybe $5000 or $6,000. The guy looked me right in the eye and quoted me a price of $67,000. YES $67,000!!!

I almost became instantaneously incontinent right in my easy chair. You could purchase a new mobile home for that. He kept pressuring me to sign a contract right away.

I looked over at my wife when he said $67,000 and she looked deathly pale. Please folks PLEASE for your own good STAY Away from these people.

What I want:

1.itemized invoice (cost per window)

2.Refund consideration for overpriced windows.

Project Price: $13,142, Price per window $3,285.50

My sales person, advised me if I bought 4 windows, I would get 2 free windows. I asked for but did not receive an invoice at that time.

Without paperwork, I did pay the requested amount, which now figures to be $3285.50 per window. If I had received an itemized invoice, I would have cancelled the order. I did not get one till after the project was completed, and it was not itemized.

I have reached out to the sales person from Winchester KY and Universal Windows Direct 800-984-**** several times for help. Window Cost Calculator on the internet, said to expect Universal Windows Direct to have prices fall between $450 and $1300 per window.

Yes, the house is old with 2 large windows 3 smaller windows ordered, but a nearly 300% overage is usurpment.

I realize I have no legal standing on this and am only able to express my disappointment and frustration online. I am not asking for free, just a FAIR price.

Universal of Windows Direct of Charlotte installed all of our home windows nearly 10 years ago. The windows are just 'OK' as far as quality is concerned, but even though I've bought their cheap windows, they continue to harass me with advertising mail on a regular and frequent basis.

I've called the local office and their corporate office more times than I can count, and still I continue to receive their useless ads. Is it really that difficult to be removed from a mailing list?

Sometimes something so simple can tell one all they need to know about the company behind it! I won't be using or recommending their products or services again.

To start off with, I will say the price of the windows ( for a lifetime warranty) was a great deal. The installation didn't take that long and the workers completed the job in 1 day doing 10 windows.

They cleaned up and didn't leave a trace of them being there. That's the good part. The bad part happened about 4 months after installation. The caulking cracked and pulled away and while cleaning the windows for the first time in the spring I noticed the main frame on one window was damaged.

I contacted my sales person and they directed me to the customer support to get these issues fixed. A worker came out pretty fast, took photos and measurements for the main frame and sent out to get the repairs started. Then I had to wait from June 30th until Sept 12th to see them come out again. I left work early to accommodate the work crew with the main frame installation.

However, the worker measured the old window and mainframe that took months to build and said if he installed it I wouldn't be able to open the window, because it was the wrong size. So he took more pictures and measurements and sent those to the office. He did redo the caulking on windows that was failing (that looks better now, lets hope it stays that way). Now i wait for another main frame for my windows.

This warranty which is the main reason I went with Universal Windows Direct seems to be lacking and is making me second guess my decision to go with this company. I would be careful about using them because of this issue I am currently having. It makes me worry if there is ever a real issue how long it will take to resolve correctly. I will say that if this is fixed in a timely manner I may alter this review, but until that happens I can not in good faith say that universal windows direct is the best company for your whole house window renovations.

Was just informed it will be another 9 weeks before this main frame can be fixed putting this warranty repair now at over 18 weeks. 09/13/2023, Now they are saying (in their reply here) it's due to production delays. No, it was measured not once, not twice but three times. If it was done correctly the first time, there would not be another 9 weeks of lead time.

I really now will not be changing my review and do not recommend Universal Windows Direct for you replacement window needs.

09/14/2023- Update they tried to install again on 11/28/2023 an the dimensions were wrong yet again and could not be installed.. This is not a company I can recommend.

NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!! We met with the sales person, who sat in our kitchen and lied to us from the beginning.

This will be a 1 day job, forgot about the 3 years to get to the one day. It was over 3 years for them to complete the job. All are crews work for us they said, not contracted. Lie #2.

None of the crews work for them other than contract, one crew had only worked for them for 2 weeks. Day 1, they showed up without the sliding glass door and didn't know where it was. Finally found it under some other name. Showed up at leased 8 times and the crews didn't even know why they were there and when informed said they didn't have the parts they needed and would have to come back.

Each time was a 2-4 hour window that you had to wait on them and not go to work yourself. The crew day 1 dropped a window on the corner and damages the frame and screen and installed it and didn't say anything about it, we found it later that day. Took them over 6 months and 2 different times to replace the window and the guys didn't even have the screen to replace and had to come back again. They installed the sliding window without shimming them and they sagged and had to be fixed with another visit.

They have had to replace multiple screens on new window that were installed wrong and coming apart. They finally sent a trouble shooter out because we had so many problems and he was saying he never seen a job like this and wrote down all this info, that never was given to anyone and no one knew anything about it. He got promoted and know knows what happened to his notes. Any time you try to get ahold of anyone you are on hold forever and never get anyone, they have a nice leave a message that no one calls you back.

They are problem tired of hearing all the complaints.

NEVER USE THIS COMPANY! Oh, they did offer us $400 off a $16,000 job.