Fisher Windows

Jeff Fisher was one of 3 contractors to give me an estimate on replacing the 3 very large double-hung windows in my newly-purchased condo. The bottom sashes in all 3 windows have to be made of tempered glass to meet building code. Mr. Fisher showed up prompt to his appointment, explained clearly why he preferred to use Harvey windows, and seemed highly knowledgeable, experienced, and efficient. I want energy-efficient windows both for my own comfort and to apply for the federal tax credit on energy-efficient window replacement. (All new windows carry stickers showing their U-factor etc. rating for energy efficiency, and the stickers have to show ratings below a certain number to qualify for the tax credit.) Mr. Fisher said he wasn't sure if Harvey windows made with tempered glass had been tested yet for energy efficiency congruent with the tax credit requirements. He called the company on the spot to ask about this -- left a message and told me he'd give me the answer as soon as Harvey got back to him. He then added, without prompting from me, "But I have a few extra stickers that I can give you to stick on the windows so you can claim the tax credit anyway." I didn't like being offered the means to lie and cheat on the tax credit. I frowned and shook my head, and we went on talking about windows and taking measurements. Mr. Fisher's estimate for purchase and installation of 3 Harvey commercial-grade vinyl replacement windows was higher than the other two estimates but within what I considered reasonable range. I said I would be interested in pursuing the installation as long as he could ensure that Harvey windows made with tempered glass would qualify for the federal tax credit. Mr. Fisher promised he'd let me know as soon as he heard back from Harvey and then, while writing up the estimate, he said, again without any prompting from me, "And, like I said, I install about 5,000 windows a year and of course some of those, maybe 50, are flawed so I have to send them back to the factory, but I keep the stickers, so if you want a couple of extra stickers, you know, to stick on the windows so you can claim the tax credit, I can give those to you as well." I really, REALLY didn't like this -- it was bad enough that he made this dishonest offer even once, let alone twice -- so I frowned again and said "I don't want to go there." He dropped the subject. Winding down our meeting, while we were talking about the installation process, Mr. Fisher said he didn't think it would be necessary to pull a Cambridge city permit for replacing my windows since I live on a quiet residential street, and he could complete the window installation in less than a day. So, he said, probably "no one would notice," that the work was being done and ask to see the permit. Even I, as a new home owner, know that city permits for such work are required by law. (In fact, my current windows don't meeting building code now probably because they were installed without a permit in the first place.) So in less than an hour, Mr. Fisher offered three different times, unprompted, ways to cheat on legal standards and requirements for the federal tax credit and for the installation work itself. Mr. Fisher did follow up to tell me that he heard from Harvey that their replacement windows made with tempered glass do meet standards for the federal tax credit. Whether or not this is true, I have no desire to employ ProWindows for my window replacements.