It isn't clear if you are asking about the quality of the windows, the quality of the installation, or the purchasing "experience". Andersen windows should be good quality - but the other two factors will depend on the franchisee that you are dealing with. Many people report high prices and high pressure sales tactics by Renewal by Andersen.

I'd recommend getting a proposal from the private contractor. You could also find an Andersen or Marvin distributor and ask them to recommend a few other local contractors and contact them.

Stay away from Anderson renewal high pressure sales way overpriced and poor installation methods they when they install them they put them right inside you old window frame so essentially you have a window inside a window which makes the new windows smaller (about 5 inches per window) I know this is common practice to install windows but on rental properties or other homes that are not worth the trouble of doing it right. For the price they want for these windows they should be a totally new window not just stuck in your old frames so they don't have to do any trim work they brag about how they install a whole house full of windows in a day it's because the do it as cheaply as possible go with other company's or local contractors the prices are far better and so is the quality and workmanship.

Renewal isnt a bad window, its just over priced and does not perform nearly as well as other composite windows such as Starmark Windows, which is one of the best windows available and definitely more affordable than Renewal.
There are also some higher end vinyl that actually look very nice, engineered very well, and have better structural and energy efficiency numbers than renewal, some of those names would be Okna, HiMark, Soft Lite ( Elements), Sunrise ( Restorations), and Vytex ( Fortis).

This post was edited by mmarse1 on Wed, Sep 18, 13 at 21:40

+1

Not a bad window but any stretch...just not as good as they think it is or worth what they price it at.

I had 15 Renewal by Andersons casements installed a month ago in my MCM ranch. They were not the inserts - the old windows were removed to the studs, and new interior and exterior trim was installed. We did not lose any "surface".

The installer we had was awesome to work with and no schlocky sales pitch. The quality of the trim work was top notch, and they repaired all plaster and paint damage, which was minimal to begin with.

So maybe RBA might be a higher costs if the total package includes interior and exterior trim work?

All windows will cost more if they include all new interior and exterior trim, which is called a " new construction" install opposed to replacement.

This post was edited by mmarse1 on Sat, Sep 21, 13 at 14:41

What you describe is what is referred to as a full tear out. Are there additional expenses associated with the carpentry work...yes.

That being said, you can do a full tear out with any window. Not sure it is recommended in many cases though.

The RBA is a pretty average window that is pretty, but has a terrible warranty and is generally sold for far more than its worth IMO.