Looking at potential companies to replace your windows? West Shore Home caught your eye?
If so, have I got the story for you. I scheduled an estimate, talked to sales staff and got hard numbers on window replacement costs from West Shore Home to give you more clarity on whether it fits your project. Hold on to your glass-es and let’s dive in.
About West Shore Home Windows
Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, West Shore Home was founded in 2006 by Penn State graduate, B.J. Werzyn. West Shore Home has installed windows and doors since the beginning, only more recently expanding into bathroom, shower and flooring installation and remodeling.
West Shore Home has more than 40 local offices, serves 27 states and has completed over 330,000 home renovation jobs.
What We Like About West Shore Home Windows
West Shore Home, window replacement in particular, has many solid customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Angi and Google.
West Shore Home handles everything in-house, from window assembly to installation training, making it more likely that product and installation quality are consistent across states and locations. You can also get a quote within one to two days, and many customers report quick and efficient installations.
West Shore Home also installs flooring and doors and renovates bathrooms. If you need windows replaced and have additional home projects, using one company could save you the hassle of dealing with multiple contractors.
Our Experience Getting a West Shore Home Windows Quote
Instead of trying to piece together data from online research, I went through the quote process myself to get a firsthand West Shore Home review.
Here’s what you should know:
- Expect the quote process to take about two hours. It includes window measuring, a company and product pitch and an on-site quote.
- Be prepared to have the salesperson in your home. The salesperson will prefer to measure and give the pitch in your home rather than outside.
- Be ready for the salesperson to try to get you to make an immediate buying decision. Many window companies, including West Shore Home, offer multiple “day-of-only” discounts. For the record, my salesperson wasn’t too pushy, and didn’t badger me when I said I needed time to think it over.
West Shore Home Windows Cost
West Shore Home pricing at a glance:
- 10 replacement windows quoted
- Lowest price: $16,518
- Standard quote: $21,734
- Cost per window: roughly $1,650 to $2,170
I asked West Shore Home, along with Mad City Windows and Lowe’s, to quote replacing 10 windows at my home in Lexington, Kentucky.
The salesperson gave me several numbers:
- Locked-in year price: $21,734, or a little over $2,100 per window
- Price including monthly promotion: $17,388, or around $1,700 per window — essentially a 20% discount
- Monthly promotion price plus one-time manager discount: $16,518.60, or around $1,650 per window — an additional 5% discount
Of the three quotes I received, the West Shore Home quote was in the middle for the year price. It was significantly cheaper than Mad City Windows but around $7,000 more than Lowe’s most expensive window line, Pella.
How the West Shore Home Windows Replacement Process Works
Here’s how the process went for me. I didn’t actually have West Shore Home replace my windows, but I got a good idea of what to expect.
- Fill out an online form. Select window replacement and provide basic information. It took me two minutes.
- Select an on-site appointment time. Appointments are often available as soon as the next day.
- Salesperson visit. This includes measuring the windows, a product pitch and an on-site quote.
- Installation day. This includes removing the windows, preparing the openings, installing the new windows and hauling away the old ones.
West Shore Home Windows Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Evening and weekend appointment scheduling
- In-house-trained installers
- Advertised communication throughout the project
- Double- and triple-pane windows
- Many positive customer reviews
- Also renovates bathrooms, replaces doors and installs flooring
Cons:
- Some customers report feeling pressured to make a buying decision
- Not a budget option for windows
- No service in certain areas of the country
West Shore Home Window and Customization Options
West Shore Home offers a variety of window styles, exterior trim colors and grille patterns. Window styles include:
- Double-hung
- Awning
- Casement
- Picture
- Bay or bow
- Garden
West Shore Home says it offers “a variety of frame materials.” Elsewhere on its site, however, it says it offers only vinyl-framed replacement windows. The window the salesperson showed me was vinyl-framed.
West Shore Home Windows: Quality and Energy Efficiency
West Shore Home windows are made from vinyl. All corners are welded for structural stability during installation. They have a U-factor rating of 0.18, which, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, puts them in the “best/high-performance” category for energy performance.
The salesperson walked me through the design features during the visit and used a heat lamp to show how effectively the window reduces heat transfer. West Shore Home also offers triple-pane windows, although that raises the project’s overall cost.
Who Installs West Shore Home Windows?
West Shore Home installers are local, in-house W-2 employees who have completed the company’s window-installation training. This contrasts with companies such as Lowe’s and The Home Depot, which use third-party subcontractors to install windows.
West Shore Home Windows Discounts and Financing Options
West Shore Home often offers window discounts and financing options. At the time of writing, it had a 0% down deal as part of its SUMMER BOGO sale.
Financing plans depend on your credit, but qualifying customers may receive 0% deferred-interest plans, low-interest monthly payment plans or deferred-payment plans.
The salesperson offered several options:
- Cash or check: 30% down and the rest due at job completion
- 0% interest payment plans: 12- and 18-month options
- Flexible plans: Varying lengths with as little as 10% down in certain cases
Keep in mind that West Shore Home discounts are built into the sales process, and it isn’t easy to see where or how they’re applied because emailed estimates aren’t itemized. The salesperson will try to get you to make a buying decision on-site by offering discounts, some of which expire when the salesperson leaves. Prepare yourself for that.
West Shore Home Windows Customer Reviews
West Shore Home has customer ratings above 4.5 stars on Google, Trustpilot and Angi, although ratings are by individual location. Reviewers mention good installation practices and professional employee interactions.
There are also complaints about installation quality and projects taking longer than expected. Reviews include all of West Shore Home’s installation services, not just windows. If possible, check local reviews that focus on window installation.
Does West Shore Home Windows Provide Service Nationwide?
West Shore Home does not provide service nationwide but is present in more than half of the United States. Coverage is particularly sparse in Western and Northwestern regions.
Alternatives to West Shore Home Windows
West Shore Home is on par with quotes from other top window replacement companies, such as Champion Windows and Renewal by Andersen. Window Nation might come in at a lower price point.
How USA TODAY Rates West Shore Home
The USA TODAY team uses an in-house methodology to review and rank top window-replacement companies nationwide, looking at cost data, installation quality, customer experience, product offerings and efficiency.
Bottom Line: Is West Shore Home Right for You?
If you’re willing and able to pay more for window construction and consistently trained installers, West Shore Home could be a good fit. If you need doors replaced, flooring installed or a bathroom remodeled, one company could handle those projects. If you live in the Western or Northwestern United States or are on a tight budget, West Shore Home might not be the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Shore Home a reputable company?
West Shore Home has thousands of positive reviews. Like any company, it also has customers who report bad experiences, but its average ratings are above 4.5 stars across major review sites such as Google, Trustpilot and Angi.
Is West Shore Home overpriced?
Based on my research and quotes from several other window companies, West Shore Home falls in the middle to upper end of the spectrum for window-replacement costs. You pay more, but you also get high-quality windows and in-house-trained installers. For some people, that’s worth paying extra; for others, it isn’t.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. Reporting by Jason Rueger, Special to USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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