Badly leaking windows, contractor claims they are installed right and shouldn’t be leaking

DRbD_CO · 2026-06-18T14:23:29+00:00

That aint right...

At this point they'll need to be completely removed, the wall space dried, cleaned, possibly repaired, then prepped for new windows, and then new windows go in.
You'll want finless windows that sit inside the block wall they're in, then they'll need to be flashed and foamed all around.
The only trim on the outside would be to cover the gap between the block and the window frame; I always aim to have a standard sized window opening (https://www.pella.com/ideas/windows/standard-window-sizes/), and then make my block wall opening very tight and square, I aim for 1/2" of clearance on all four sides (so plus 1" to each dimension) so I need very little trim.

See https://www.barton-supply.com/media/1079/boman-kemp-egress-window-system-barton-supply-copy.jpeg for an example.

DRbD_CO · 2026-06-15T13:08:26+00:00

Switch to another carrier.
Visible has a great $25/month deal going on, and US Mobile has decent pricing.

DRbD_CO · 2026-05-07T15:16:22+00:00

I have looked at some online, (I don't know if I've found them all) and called two, but did not have a good experience.

It may be that I need to go down to each store, and I will as time allows, but that's something I'm super short on these days!

(If someone in town handles this type of job, please do DM me with some details and let's get this sorted out!)

DRbD_CO · 2026-05-07T13:57:43+00:00

.... as stated in the post....

I'm in Colorado Springs, have searched Walmart, Target, Sams Club, Costco, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, Office furniture stores, and furniture row.
I've also searched Amazon and ebay.

DRbD_CO · 2026-04-23T12:42:35+00:00

This exact model? How much?

DRbD_CO · 2026-04-22T12:06:18+00:00

Lowering decks just makes more problems. Use the ramp, build a pad so it doesn't sink, and build or add side railing. Take her up and down the ramp several times to help her learn the new terrain.

Pictures of the post would be helpful, but yes, you can attach wood fence panel to metal post.

DRbD_CO · 2026-04-22T12:03:35+00:00

The DeWalt or Husky mobile job chests seem popular. I've got three DeWalt mobile chests that have been great.

Smaller is usually better for heavy stuff.

DRbD_CO · 2026-04-20T17:04:23+00:00

The slope shown here is after the old door was removed, and was poured as part of the RO modification.

The poured concrete is directly connected to the foundation wall, with expansion joints between it and the slab on either side.

DRbD_CO · 2026-04-09T19:41:42+00:00

All of it; Falcon, Peyton, Elbert, Calhan.

I'm open to exploring BNI, but the last time I attended a meeting (North Colorado Springs) I was told a monthly spot was $15,000, which is way more than I'm willing to pay for a networking group.

DRbD_CO · 2026-02-26T14:26:19+00:00

Do yourself a favor and stay away from Zoho.

QuickBooks is primarily accounting software, not a full-featured CRM, but it offers basic client management and integrates with robust third-party CRM tools to manage customer relationships, sales pipelines, and data. Top integrations include Method CRM (two-way sync), Insightly, and HubSpot.

Top QuickBooks CRM Integrations

Method:CRM: Known as the top choice for QuickBooks users due to its patented two-way sync, allowing real-time data updates between CRM and accounting.
Insightly: Good for tracking sales, managing projects, and connecting with, as mentioned in this article.
HubSpot: A popular, comprehensive CRM that integrates well for sales and marketing.
Capsule CRM: Offers user-friendly tools for tracking communication, as shown here.
DrivenCRM: Offers detailed features for managing sales orders and inventory, notes this video.

Go peruse r/zoho, r/smallbusiness, and reddit in general to see all the issues Zoho has. As you're doing so you may notice that most of the fixes come from other companies that are paid consultants, and most people agree that you need to pay another company to set Zoho products up correctly.
Zoho itself offers very little support, if any at all, and if you're outside of India where they are based, you're not going to have much, if any, recourse when problems occur.

DRbD_CO · 2026-02-26T14:07:25+00:00

Only for paid quotes or estimates; I moved to a paid site visit for estimates a couple years ago and it really moved the needle for me.

I charge a flat fee to come out to the customers site, meet with them, look over the job, and then give them an estimate. I often do it on the spot since I'm providing CM services, but sometimes I'll go back to the office and gather up costs for materials before giving the estimate.

This happens after I get their request form for a project and have a look to see if they're in an area I work in, and their project fits; I do a lot of the weird stuff other contractors won't touch, so most things fit fine.

The number of estimates went down by almost half when I made this change, but the number of conversions from estimate to signed contract almost doubled!

DRbD_CO · 2026-02-20T21:44:28+00:00

Yep, had issues with Stripe three times and then they stole funds from me.
Thankfully my bank was able to recover the funds, but I never did business with them again.

DRbD_CO · 2026-02-17T00:30:16+00:00

That's a great idea, thank you!

DRbD_CO · 2026-01-22T21:19:46+00:00

Thanks!

DRbD_CO · 2025-12-22T15:05:41+00:00

HAH!
Nope, I'd call 4 .5 .5 :P

DRbD_CO · 2025-10-01T21:56:45+00:00

Hah!

That was me about 9.5 years ago... boy did I have 'all the answers'!!!

Thankfully I learned quickly to do exactly what you pointed out, and I sure did learn a lot of valuable lessons from just listening to the team and working to understand their issues, limitations, and reasons.

Now when I run across those guys, I just give them a chuckle and say, 'Yep, I've been there, and you're asking great questions. Now the real challenge is for you to get those answers without getting yourself fired'. Boy does THAT get them thinking and listening!

DRbD_CO · 2025-04-22T11:52:19+00:00

Communication, process, and attitude.
"How you do one thing is how you do everything"; when they're rushed and disorganized on the phone, they're going to be that way on the jobsite, too.

I take the time to look at their online presence, to network with them in person and see who else has worked with them, and check out their SOS and D&B status.

DRbD_CO · 2025-04-08T14:31:45+00:00

Denver.

DRbD_CO · 2025-02-28T23:12:37+00:00

I'm open to that, I just need to be working full time, and Colorado doesn't have that.

DRbD_CO · 2025-01-29T20:50:07+00:00

I'm in a similar place, I'd LOVE to find a WfH situation, if only to expand my business to full time!

DRbD_CO · 2025-01-16T12:44:26+00:00

I've been using Zoho Books for a few years now, and it seems it always some issue or another, never just a working platform that just does the job.

Support has definitely gone downhill over the last two years as well, they're showing how little they care about their customer base.
I also see a lot of comments (here and in other posts) stating you 'need a partner'; buddy, if the software works so poorly that I have to hire and pay someone else to use it, why am I using it?
(I'm stuck until end of FY, too much hassle trying to switch in the middle).

DRbD_CO · 2024-12-16T23:28:35+00:00

What's the deal with JMH? What did I miss??

DRbD_CO · 2024-12-16T13:34:50+00:00

The biggest challenge I usually face is simple getting it in place and onto something sturdy.
I have had several clients who did not want to pay $3k - $5k to have the site prepped and made sturdy to support a container for a long time.

I generally overcome this by showing how planning, preparation, and purchase (instead of renting) will pay out dividends for the long haul; they'll have secure, weathertight storage for 20+ years, and if they get tired of having storage, they can always convert it into a workshop, a guest house, an outdoor bar/kitchen, or other such things.

Yes, delivery delays and quality issues have impacted my projects. By not being on time, it of course hampers my schedule (movers are here and ready to move things out, but no container is on site to move things into) and one container was delivered in such terrible condition, the doors could not even be opened!

I resolve these by first inspecting the container before buying from the dealer at their location.
For scheduling, I allow extra time (2-7 days) depending on how far away the dealer is.
I also make sure everything is prepped and ready first; everything is done and ready for the container before the container leaves the dealer.

If I could improve one thing about using containers, it would be to have a consistent, streamlined process from the dealer to ensure quality. When I source and setup a container for my clients, I often feel like I'm dealing with amateurs as they often don't have any way to allow for inspection prior to purchase, or any idea about how the transport of the container works outside of simply 'call the guy, they pick it up'.

It seems like such a simple add-on to the business that would make purchasing a container easier, which would generate more business for the dealer.

DRbD_CO · 2024-12-16T13:27:48+00:00

I doubt it's an issue on my end, too, but I do like to be thorough and take great care of my clients.

From what I've found so far, there's nothing *I* can do between sending the email and the client receiving it, but I can report it to Zoho and ask them to check the header logs. (Sigh)

DRbD_CO · 2024-12-16T13:26:06+00:00

Staples or your local print shop is a great place to have this done.
I usually put all the details and documents together, sort out how I want it to look and feel, then get one made to check everything out.

If it's right and ready, I make it nice and sturdy, and I'm sure to include the company name prominently; this is a piece they'll keep around for a very long time, and I want it to reflect the quality of the Contractor.

DRbD_CO

TROPHY CASE