Cutting Edge Windows, LLC

Information may not be reliable

We've seen countless warranty promises broken by window contractors who closed up shop or changed their 'name' & 'ownership' when times got tough. If their prior 'success' were actually due to being better than the other guys, then we would say, "God bless 'em for it!" But, when false guarantees are made, legitimatecompanies get deprived out of fair jobs for fair prices, while building owners end up incurring big costs in getting all their new leaking windows fixed. Yes, leaking... -what other kind of windows do promise breakers install? It happens again & again, like clockwork.

Our installation schedule is usually close to spot on, assuming we don't run into complications beyond our control, or unusual procedural requirements.

Sometimes we're late in providing bids, invoices, information or such, but we have two legitimate excuses: We're human, and we're contractors. The most difficult time of year for us in the office is during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season between mid November and mid January. Each year we try to get more office-efficient, but still fall short at times. Don't worry though, I'm sure we'll get the hang of it about a month before we all retire.

That's not a good reason to pick the other guys over us though. We invest much more of our customers' cost toward actual products & installation rather than 'wasting' it on extra sales and office staff. That means that one of us gets to do the office stuff while also being part of the installation crew. Most customers agree that in five years, they won't care about the extra time it took us to provide them with a bid. They appreciate the quality of our windows, how great they look, how well they're installed, how long they last, and how wholesome the warranties are.

The only name-brand window manufacturer in Seattle that's owned by local folks is WEATHERVANE. Others are owned by distant mega-corporations.

99% of the windows we provide are made by WEATHERVANE WINDOWSright here in Kent, WA. Its owners, Marlin Clausner & Dale Wamsley purchased the company in 2003, and happen to have the most long-standing, honorable record in the industry that we know of. Marlin & Dale have made high-quality windows for decades, including the first vinyl windows in our state. They've taken careful steps in making sure that every single warranty promise they've made has been honored.

WARRANTY ISSUES: (ENFORCEMENT) What legal recourse does a customer have if an out-of-state manufacturer chooses not to honor its warranty? Our Attorney General does not have the same authority over an Oregon company. (EASE) It's easier for a local manufacturer to take care of factory defects and warranty issues. (LIKELIHOOD) Most folks are more trusting of warranties that aren't made from too far away; they can just show up at their office and "turn the tables over" if needed.

RELIABILITY: Projected delivery dates are more reliable, because no long-distance trucking is needed. Also, if one of their trucks breaks down, or a driver gets sick, we can easily pick your windows up at the plant ourselves. That helps US keep OUR promises.

LOCAL ECONOMY: It's patriotic to invest your money in the neighborhood by buying the windows here. Your rental income comes from local folks, and is ultimately paying for the windows, so shouldn't their/our local economy be strengthened rather than someone else's? It's free-market 'trickle down economics' at its best.

SEALED INSULATED GLASS: This gets slightly technical, but anytime windows must be driven over a mountain pass, breather tubes must be installed in the glass, so that air can escape at low-air-pressure altitudes & re-enter upon descent. In other words, it's not really sealed, and frankly isn't "just as good". They can't even come with argon gas (because they're permanently unsealed).

Specific knowledge & skills are required to qualify as a window-replacement specialist. Contrary to what many contractors might think, these are not common carpenter know-hows or experiences, because much of what we do is nothing like new construction.

A BLOCKHEAD SAYS: "If you can't keep up with your workload, just hire more people. It's only construction work! The more jobs you get done, the more money you make, right??"

This attitude disrespects the skilled craftsman by tossing him into a general category, called "labor". Many contractors claim that their company is 'superior', yet have disregard toward their own workmen (who are on the front lines doing the actual work). Their crew is not their most valuable asset (their salesmen are), and they tend to follow the same pattern: Grow and grow during 'good times' only to collapse in on themselves when small hardships come. Their hard times are greatly compounded by costly warranty issues, a bad reputation, and a crew with no moral. Their workers don't respect themselves or their employer, let alone customers, and yes, their workmanship will bring the company down. Adeserving craftsman must be respected, and won't be found working at such companies for long.

At Cutting Edge Windows, all four of us are the owners and the crew, and we are our most valuable asset. Since 1993, we've only continued to improve on our skills while the other guys continue to re-hire a revolving labor force. Who can afford to make warranty promises and keep them? We can and always have, while seeing many competitors dissappear (over and over). We know our job is getting done correctly, because we're doing it ourselves. Our prices are good, and our products & installations are simply the best there is to offer.

You can check a contractor's insurance at Labor & Industries, yet still not know if they're covered for work on multifamily buildings. Most aren't, so here's some guidelines that you might look for:
Contractors with a $2million+ policy might be more likely covered on apartment-condo work. Most window companies carry a million or less in coverage, and are not specifically covered for such work. We believe this includes most competitors who bid on the same multi-plex projects as us.

One general thing that might add confidence, is if the contractor openly advertises on the Internet that they do apartment & condo buildings. For self-preservation reasons, insurance companies often check up on their clients, researching what it is that they do. They'll probably drop a contractor like a lit firecracker if they're performing work that they shouldn't.

One company we often bid against only carries a $500K policy! I don't see how they could possibly be covered for multifamily buildings. If they're not (as I suspect), and a substantial claim were made against them, the building owner may be in big trouble. This is because the insurance-deficient contractor might be free from any liability by simply shutting their small corporation down, while the insurance company would probably reject the claim on the exclusive basis of multifamily buildings not being covered.

Where we measure up in protecting our customers' interests:
Unlike most competitors, we have been (and still are) insured for what we do, which is Window Replacement for Multifamily Buildings. This is basically all that we do, and we're good at it. Throughout our company history, there hasn't been a single need for an insurance company to pay out a nickle for anything we've done. Our record is golden and flawless. Currently, we're insured better and more than any competitor that we know of.

If you don't see the AMERICAN FLAG in the top corner, you're not at our website yet...

2010 Cutting Edge Windows, LLC (window replacement for multi-family buildings) (206) 633-0202

Sometimes customers jot down something nice for us on the back of an envelope, or in a short letter. Since folks are more likely to complain about bad contractors than they are to applaud skilled ones, I think we're doing alright...
Again, Thank you!
for your continuing help & support above & beyond that has come to be associated with Cutting Edge Windows!
Bruce & Elizabeth M.

Thank you so much for my windows! During the freeze we had last month - no ice inside!

Our response: This isn't really saying much about us. It's more of a testimony of how good some of our customers are. No ice inside the new windows, and you're already happy!

BTW, your guys were great. Very fast, efficient, keen, competent, and friendly. And they listen to good radio too.

Note: The "good radio" happens to be AM 770 KTTH. Our radio doubles as a battery charger, and the batteries just don't charge correctly unless it's on the right radio station. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

The color and shapes of the windows looks very nice. Thank-you for your help & services!!

Our response: Hey, that's a compliment... isn't it? We brag about 'em all here.

To Cutting Edge Windows, LLC Thank you very much for new windows, which look great. I am truly impressed with the efficient and hard work of you and your staff.

Thank you again for installing our windows - we are really enjoying them - they seem to make the outside look brighter!! We've also received a lot of attention from the neighbors complimenting us on how beautiful the windows look. -again, thank you for a wonderful install job! Finally, we are enclosing a letter of referral in case you want to use for future clients that are considering window replacements! We look forward to many, many happy years with our new investment! Warmest regards,
-Martin & Linda C.

I'm enclosing a business card from Christian Bennett, owner of Miraculous Window Cleaning. He's professional, courteous, and conscientious - just like the crew from Cutting Edge Windows! I'm pleased to refer Christian to you for any window washing requests your clients might have. PS, it's always a pleasure working with you! Best regards,
-Linda K. October 27, 2006

-Rogelio and Norma G. April 21, 2006
Great job at our 4-plex. Apt. #1 is very appreciative & actually looking forward to paying the electric bill.
-Peter and Jo M.

HERE IS AN EXTRA $50 FOR YOU GUYS' LABOR. WE ARE SUPER HAPPY WITH THE WINDOWS. YOU DID A GREAT JOB! THANKS,
-Bill & Constance D.

My tenant is very happy about the quality of the windows. She also was very complimentary about how "easy" it all seemed to her. Thankyou... I am looking forward to seeing them. Sincerely,

When I got back from the duplex this afternoon, the following joke was in my email...
Last year I repaced several windows in my house. They were the expensive double-insulated kind. This week I got a call from the contractor complaining that I had failed to pay him. Boy oh boy, did we go round and round. I told him that even though I am a senior citizen and used to be a blonde, I am not that stupid! I reminded him what his salesman told me last year: "In one year they will pay for themselves."
What good timing! I guess you're out of luck now, but at least you got a down payment for this job! Thanks for the efficient and rapid job, and the careful cleanup afterwards.
-Bob & Carol L.

I included a little extra for your crew. Thank you for doing such a good job. You'll have to come see it when it's painted. I hope you have a great holiday season. Take Care, -Denise R.

Thank you for all your help with this project! I think it went very well thanks to you & your crew!

Thank You, John, Shawn, Ken, Perry, Wonderful doing Business with you. Sincerely,

Our response: Actually it was kind of lucky timing, because sometimes we're slooooow when it comes to non-emergency pieces & parts like that. As far as it being free, consider it cheap advertising. You wrote this nice ad for us, and all we did was get you a small plastic part.

To the crew at CuttingEdge,
We would like to take this time to mention how much we appreciated the work you have done installing the windows here. You were always willing to take the time to answer our questions, get back to us timely when called, worked with us and our tenants schedules, and to help offer alternatives for the finished look we hoped to achieve. We liked the fact that when bidding our job, you were also involved with the installation and could offer information based on actual experience. We wish your continuing success and will mention your name whenever asked about window installation and replacements. Sincerely,
Bruce & Liz M.