Anonymous
Post 01/28/2023 11:25     Subject: Custom window is the wrong size. How should I proceed?
If you’re fine with keeping the smaller window they should just reframe/ block the wall as needed to the size of the new window with wood- not shims so there is proper wood to attach the greenboard to. On the exterior they will need to flash and trim around the new window.

Anonymous
Post 01/27/2023 23:54     Subject: Custom window is the wrong size. How should I proceed?
Anonymous wrote:In July we signed a contract to have a bathroom remodeled to fit a disabled family member. It’s an unusual situation where there is a window in the shower. We custom ordered a fiberglass window to fit the space exactly. We really need this bathroom finished because the disabled family member is waiting to move in and we are paying all their $$$ living expenses in the meantime.

So the window (that we ordered in July) finally arrived and they installed it yesterday. During the install they realized that the window is 3-4 inches too small. They called another guy over and stacked some plywood under the window to “make it work”. When they left they told me it’s just fine and that all windows have shims around them.

We are not happy with it at all. Because the window is in the shower there is a lot of potential for water damage, etc. We were originally told that a properly fitting fiberglass window would eliminate a lot of potential water problems. Now they are saying it’s no big deal. The plan is to tile the entire shower including all around the window.

So my question is how big of a deal is this? We don’t have another 6 months to wait for a new window. But I don’t want a shoddy job done with this. What should I ask for? How should I proceed? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I’m waiting for the boss to call me back.


If it's the GC mistake, they need to take care of it and eat the loss. It's because of errors like this that they double their estimated costs. I worked with a guy who broke my $1000 countertop. Rather than eat the cost and get another one and get paid the balance I owed him of 10K, we both decided it wasn't worth it and terminated the relationship. It wasn't worth it for him to deal with getting a replacement countertop for another 1K and receive the final payment of 10K from me, and it wasn't worth it for me to spend another 1K and deal with the ongoing saga of final stuff going awry. I finished the rest of the job myself and expoxied the gap in the countertop.
Either GC takes care of it, or you get a credit for the wrong sized window.

The wateproofing isn't the problem here. Whatever size window, waterproofing would need to be done around the window framing anyway. The window itself does not provide waterproofing on the joints with the walls. 3-4" is a bigger gap than the usual .5-1" all around gap though so it needs to be patched well on the exterior (wind, rain, snow) and interior (wet bathing wall).
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2023 23:06     Subject: Custom window is the wrong size. How should I proceed?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Does it match whatever the window mfg shop drawings show?

If not, who signed off on the shop/production drawing? And where did you buy?

If you signed off on it, go wherever you bought it from during normal business hours and while you are there have them get on the phone with their rep to discuss rectifying the situation. Be nice and only provide facts.

If your contractor signed them, while they with you have them call wherever they bought it from and discuss with their supplier options for a speedy resolution.


Agree that not having the window the size you want is a much bigger deal than padding out the opening. The question is what to do about it now. I looked into ordering custom windows last May and they were quoting seven month delivery. If the hole is already in the wall and the project is underway you probably don't want to put it on hold for seven months. If you don't, somebody should give you some money back, the only question is who and how much.


If it is a legit manufacturer and whoever they purchased from has a good relationship with their rep you are talking, a couple weeks top not 7 months. It is one window not 40 for a house. Even then if the manufacturer f'd up 9/10 times they will bump you to front of the line.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2023 21:58     Subject: Custom window is the wrong size. How should I proceed?
Anonymous wrote:In your shoes I'd live with it for now, move the family member in, and demand that they re-order the properly sized window and install that when it comes.

That wont work. OP cannot accept the modification, let them finish the project, and then change her mind and demand they redo it. They will refuse and will be perfectly within their rights because OP knowingly accepted the modification. If OP doesn’t want to accept it, she needs to demand the change now even if it means waiting longer for the project to be done.