FORDYCE CUSTOM FINISHING

Our installation contractor, Aurhause, dropped off a piece of our home's woodwork as a sample with sample wood from the new windows on September 22, 2011. About 10 days later (~October 3rd) we finally had a sample to review. The sample color match was good but there was only one sheen sample and it was incorrect. Since we had refinished some of our woodwork, we knew the required sheen was a semi-gloss and told Fordyce again. We were told an order had to be placed for semi-gloss finish which would take two days so the new sample would be ready in three days. It was ready but rather than order semi-gloss as we were told, the finish was taken from stock and was still incorrect. Finally after another few days, the sample was correct. We made a point to pick up and return each sample within a few business hours as the completion schedule hinged on our approval. Once we resolved the finish issue, we were told that it would be another week for finished windows. We checked with the company regularly (every day) and we were told repeatedly that they would start the job in a day or two. Finally, they set a deadline. which was extended because a key employee was ill. Then one of their large customers made demands on them so we were again delayed. Then they delayed a day-at-a-time for at least 4 more days. Finally on October 31, 2011 the windows were ready to be picked up by Marsh Building Products (the Marvin window supplier). We received two stories about pickup of the windows. Fordyce told us that their contract specified using original wrapping which were damaged so they did not wrap the windows. When the Marsh driver arrived Fordyce offered to wrap the windows while he waited; he refused. The next day Marsh picked up another order and refused ours. The windows were finally delivered to us on the third day (Nov 3, 2011). Marsh told us the windows weren't ready to be picked up on the 1st and no drivers were available on the 2nd. We had hoped that this extremely frustrating process would be justified by the quality of the finish work, however when our installation contractor finished and cleaned the installed windows, he discovered that all of the windows have finish overspray on the glass and frames - interestingly one the outside which was not stained or finished. When we asked Fordyce to send someone out to clean the finish off, they told us their time was "too expensive" so they would not. They did say they would give us a list of appropriate cleaners so we did not damage the windows (some are second story windows) when we cleaned them but they never did. Finally after two months, the installation contractor, Aurhause, came out and cleaned the windows.