OWENS CORNING

At a home show, they offered to quote me new windows for my house. I told them money was tight but they were emphatic that they wanted to quote and it would be valid for a year. When the manager called to confirm my home visit, I again said that it would be a year before I would be able to have this done, but she said they wanted to quote. When the sales guy came to my house, I told him please not to give me the usual stories about "we want your home to be a demonstrator" and "I can sneak your order in at half price". He wanted to give me an hour-long sales presentation. I wanted him to just measure the windows and give me a price. He refused, told me to call back when I was ready to buy, and left. By the way, over the phone, I confirmed that the name of the company was Owens Corning with the manager, but three days later when the salesman arrived it was Lux Renovations.

I entered a raffle to get my basement refinished. Owens-Corning called to confirm the details of my submission to ensure the accuracy of my raffle entry. At the end of the call they said they would be in my neighborhood the following night and could they come give an estimate, "even if you don't do it, the price is good for a long time." The scheduler got on the phone and confirmed, stating that the estimate would be good for a year. The rep was on time the next day, very pleasant and professional. He measured the basement, and then gave me a 90 minute presentation on why Owens-Corning is the best, including materials presentation and scary information about mold and untrustworthy contractors. Finally he go to the price (over $33,000 for 291 square feet of living space, more than the typical $100 per square foot for new construction). He wrote the number on a folder, never showing me an itemized estimate that appeared to be inside the folder. After presenting various financing options, explaining how I would recoup my money when I sold, etc., etc., I was offered a discount if I used my home as a showplace for future customers. I explained I wasn't prepared to spend that much money on such short notice and had only had him come out because they had offered after the drawing. As he was leaving, I asked for his card. He did not have one or offer to leave me his number. He took the folder with the estimate, saying he needed to turn it in at the office. I asked if the estimate was good for a year, and he replied that it was good for 90 days. The upshot was that I spent 2 hours with this man in my home and did not even get contact information or a written estimate out of the deal. It was clear that I either had to commit to spending over $33K on the spot, or they weren't interested. Do people with quality products really need to rely on these kinds of sales tactics? It left me with bad feeling. I would not use Owens Corning in the future, when I do eventually decide to have my basement redone. People who stand by their work, give you contact information, written estimates, and time to make a well-reasoned decision. The amount of time the estimate is valid does not change with each person that you ask.

They have a system meant for lower levels that varies from drywall. They are putting up the walls, running the wires. They have been very informative, professional, and update me along the way. I have been very pleased with their work to date.

Stay away from this company.

Never got past trying to get an estimate. They require "as a courtesy since they provide a 'free' service" that both homeowners be present for the entire 90 minute presentation + estimate. When I pressed them on this they acknowledged at the end of the presentation they press the homeowner to sign a contract. This is really slimy contracting practice - a 90 minute sales presentation followed by pressure sales. They REFUSED to do the presentation & even provide an estimate unless my wife & I were both present. When pressed, they didn't step back from this requirement at all. If we didn't both sit there & hear the entire thing, no estimate. And they hoped we would sign on the dotted line right then. They tried to claim the BBB required that both homeowners be home. I doubt it. This seems like more a sales tactic & not good or fair business practice (e.g. free quote, time to consider the quote & get other quotes, etc). Needless to say, we didn't have them over. Estimated cost was $50,000.