Personally, I'm in favor of restoration, but since you're doing this, did you tell him that you wanted the same window? Did he say anything about using a different window? If you expected the same window and there was no discussion that it wouldn't be, then yes, he should replace it.

While I personally feel badly for the contractor I would have to ask for a new window. I think he will be able to use it, someone building something will be flexible for a great deal.

Writersblock, I’m also in favor of restoration, this one was the only one left on the first floor that hadn’t already been replaced, and it was in rough shape. I’ll probably keep the upstairs windows and just rehab them and paint, though cleaning them on the second floor with triple track storms is a pain. They’re from the 1930s. He thought he was giving me the same window, though he stated both that, and the contradictory incorrect model number in his quote.

Localeater, I also feel bad. His two guys did a beautiful job and were here for 2.5 days. They must think I’m nuts.

I agree with Writersblock. It's his error. He should make it right.

I guess I just need to learn how to be comfortable asking for what I want without feeling like I’m being too demanding.

I think the fact you are even asking this question shows that you aren't being too demanding.

It was an honest mistake. Let him fix it.

It's a cost of doing business. Someone should have inspected the
materials when they arrived, before installation ... either him, or one
of his "two guys" he sent over to do the actual work. He dropped the
ball. He will have to eat his mistake. Yeah, it's unfortunate, but it
happens. I'm sure you will learn from this mistake, too ... always check the
product before installation.

Yeah, he had the window at his shop for almost two months while he waited for time in his schedule to install it. He had plenty of time to look at it. I’m kicking myself for not looking at it too, before it went in. I could have had them put a piece of plywood over the hole or something while they ordered the right window and saved a lot of wasted labor. I feel like I also have some responsibility for the outcome for some reason but that’s just me. Live and learn.

If it helps any, people who are true professionals prefer a chance to make it right, even if it means they lose money on a job. I've done that once or twice myself and I'd much rather eat the cost of the gig than fail to satisfy a customer.

Yes, he seems pretty relaxed about it, I figured he’s had to do this before and doesn’t get too excited about things. I just feel like he must think I’m a jerk for not just keeping the bad window, lots of people would find it perfectly acceptable. He has a good reputation in our upscale neighborhood and probably wants to make sure it stays that way.

Or consider which will make you feel worse for longer: making him fix it, or looking at the wrong window every day.

Exactly. I already told him yesterday I want it replaced. Just feeling guilty about it.

I agree that this window will be used again by someone else, and not necessarily for a discounted price.

Things happen. The contractor clearly agrees with you, he seems relaxed about it so can you.

My only question is, by your post it doesn't look like you have anything in writing.

Live and learn things need to be documented.

I originally had a written quote for 8 windows, and decided not to do the job. I was on the fence already about swapping out the original wood windows, and decided the benefit (mostly ease of operating and cleaning) did not outweigh the cost. It would have been even higher if he had quoted the right window. He suggested doing the one first floor window to see if he could bring the price down for all if it went more quickly. So much for that. So there was nothing signed, just a verbal agreement to do one window. Imagine the mess if we had gone ahead with all 8 and had the wrong windows!! If we had, there would have been a signed contract, which would have had conflicting language about the window spec.

I’ve worked with this GC before, he has done almost $100k of work for us, so for a small job like this, $2k or so, I thought the verbal agreement was sufficient. Having a problem over this amount in a small town where there are a lot of spendy projects to be had would not be in his best interest. And I am a reasonable person. If he had maintained that the window problem was not his responsibility, I would pay to have it changed.

He made the offer to replace it because you are a long time customer - he obviously does not see you as being unreasonable or a pain. My DH is in the business and he would never want a valued customer unhappy - he would do whatever it took to correct the situation. That's what your contractor is doing and it's because he's a good businessman and honorable. Let him take care of you and let go of your guilt - you are NOT being too picky or unreasonable. If you want to show him how much you appreciate him, get him a gift card to a nice restaurant.

Glad you decided to replace it with the one you wanted. You would cry every time you opened that window in the future. It was his mistake, and likely he can sell or use it somewhere later.

Good idea, DLM to get him a gift card or something to show your appreciation.

You should not feel bad at all. You asked for one thing and got another. You are the customer and it is their job to do the job correctly. Do not even worry for a second. You are completely in the right.

Change it to what you want—it doesn’t mean taking advantage or being unreasonable. You are lucky he was willing to own mistake and replace.

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. In the future though, does not hurt to double check while the work is ongoing. Humans make mistakes.

I just feel like he must think I’m a jerk for not just keeping the bad window, lots of people would find it perfectly acceptable. He has a good reputation in our upscale neighborhood and probably wants to make sure it stays that way.

I think quite a few of us struggle with asserting ourselves in these situations. Even when the issue is clearly that someone else goofed up and bears the onus of making things right, none of us want to be perceived as "a jerk", and even after we've asserted ourselves and politely stated our demands, we second-guess ourselves. Some of us have been conditioned to always "be nice" and to not make waves, and/or are just of a certain temperament where we are highly sensitive to what we tend to perceive as conflict -- even if said "conflict" is actually ensuring that our expectations are properly met. Sounds to me like this is what you're doing. I tend to do it too. We need to stop doing this, as it's counter-productive at best, and may even be unhealthy when it causes anxiety and stress in our lives.

It's his error and he should make it right -- period. The new window may cost more and I would probably pay that uncharge but would not pay for additional labor. If you thought you were getting one thing and got another -- he should make it right -- and don't feel bad. He's a contractor -- he deals with those windows and he should have known the difference.

Am I being too picky? Unreasonable? Should I just keep it?

No.

No.

No.

I'm also married to a builder/contractor, and I look at your situation this way -- by insisting that the error be corrected, you likely saved your contractor, and any number of future clients, from more, and even more expensive, mistakes down the road.

I've worked in sales for 25 years and one of my strengths is negotiating. There are several things you need to always know about yourself and the situation.

1. You need to know your value and the value of the topic being negotiated.

2. You need to know your definition of a successful engagement and get consensus on that definition.

3. You need to respect the other party and project what their response might be relative to your ask.

4. You need to behave in a "professional" manner, which includes engaging the appropriate people first and giving them a chance to respond with a satisfactory solution/product or service/price.

5. Together you determine the steps/price to achieve the agreed-upon definition of success, and/or remediation steps to get back to that definition.

6. Then you decide to move forward or not.

When you don't follow these guidelines, then someone will "win more than they should". Usually that's not us women because we've grown up feeling like a b!tch when we try and negotiate. And when we rush to social media or "the CEO", we're not seeing our value and the steps that may indeed get to the solution we want if we give the right person the chance. And we look like a b!tch whether it's warranted or not.

You and your contractor agreed to a job where the definition of success was a new window that matched the windows currently on the house (I know how important that is with vintage).

You and your contractor agree that this job did not meet that definition of success.

Your contractor has agreed that he needs to fix the job to meet the success criteria that your verbal agreement intended.

It's really that simple.

He said he would replace it with the correct one. Problem solved.

Feel proud that you empowered yourself!

You hired a T & T high-end GC and he agreed that your expressed dissatisfaction was warranted and will take appropriate action towards resolution. Yay!

This "win" should be deposited in your bank of self esteem. Keep adding to your balance--there's so many more opportunities!

Thanks for your moral support. Will take about 4 weeks for the new window to come in per GC.

I’m glad you’re having the window replaced. I know it’s hard not to feel badly especially when you have a good standing and history with the person doing the work, but in circumstances like this, it’s important to put our personal feelings aside and just focus on the business aspect of the transaction. He agreed to provide a specific product and outcome for a specified price. We’re all human, mistakes can and do happen, but he’s still responsible to correct it. That’s just a part of doing business. Lucky for you, he’s willing to do the right thing and that’s great to see.