+1. Installation is somewhat of an art form, and therefore whomever is installing should do the final measure. In new construction situations, the plans or window schedule should specify an RO size which the window supplier can then order with a standard cut back to fit. Id not consider this a red flag under most normal circumstances .

What they ^^^^ said. Openings are made to the window callout size in new construction. Replacement they are made to the openings. Spen 20 plus years in the lumber yard and never once sent someone to measure for new construction windows unless they were a triangle or another geometric shape.

Thanks for the comments. I do have some unusual triangular and trapezoidal windows that are large in the front of the house (mountain view). Those are the ones our GC is concerned with measuring.

I always get a little worried when an installer or GC can't measure a window? Maybe they shouldn't be installing them if they can't measure them. The GC should be working with supplier, then be presenting options for you. I never ,ever not once have had someone else (or someone in my company)measure my windows for me.

Again, not that our GC can't or won't measure, it is more that with the geometric windows being so large and so prominent, the old addage "measure twice and install once" applies.

Generally, the supplier will "help or advise" with the measurements but final responsibility rests on the GC or installer. We (the pros that add to this forum) have all been burned at least once by deviating from this system and it is refreshing to see that in most if not all parts of the country that we are holding the installer responsible for final measurements. I have no problem going to a job site to help. How I handle the geometric shapes is the GC or installer will climb up and give the measurements with either my dealer or myself writing and repeating what we have heard so there are no mistakes. The most common mistake (if there is one) is that these dimensions are given from inside the house when windows are built to the exterior and the shapes are reversed. CAD drawings (if available) are also very helpful and can save a lot of grief.

Still a function of the GC or installer. The supplier just places the order.

On another note, it sounds like the building is already framed, why are the windows just being ordered now? Typically windows are ordered much earlier in the process before framing is even started.

Unless I am misunderstanding something about the situation, there are some red flags here but they are about the GC, not the window supplier.

We made last minute changes during framing to the large front prow windows, so fault is ours and not our GC.

Man you guys are hard and unrelenting on this forum. I know now why everyone says building a house is so stressful. Those of us who don't do this everyday or for a living look for guidance from those who do.

Sorry if it came across that way stelmoqn. Was there a particular comment that you thought was harsh? The responses seemed mostly thoughtful to me...

Thanks for the explanation on the timing. That makes more sense.

Best advice at this point would be to have the GC or his installer get out there and provide the measurement to the supplier. ***IF*** the supplier is willing to go out there and do the measurement (which it doesn't sound like he is), be advised that they will still likely require you or the GC to sign off on it which will absolve them of liability if it is wrong. This is a common situation that comes up in these forums and in this industry and it never ends well... Just trying to help :)

Yeah, there are recent threads about an owner signing off on the wrong size, assuming someone else had checked the number.

Made me pretty paranoid.

We ended up using a different distributor than my GC often uses because we went with someone that is very tight with Marvin. We all (me, GC, couple of sales reps, Marvin rep) all met at the distributor and talked through the design and install. Then, at the GC's request, the distributor sent out a couple of experienced reps to walk the site. It's not new construction but all the windows are being reframed. The issue the GC was more interested in double checking was the jamb widths vs. my wall widths.

At that point, we also found a window with a tight requirement that we all worked on to figure out the critical dimensions to make it work.

I know that talking to the Marvin rep and them sending folks out made my GC more comfortable that he'd be able to work with them if anything came up.

Of course, in the end, I signed off on the order (and gave them a big check) so if it's messed up, it'll be me. We went over this many times, GC and distributor, every damn line, so that seems highly unlikely.

No need to be too paranoid here as long as your GC is competent and you understood the process (i.e. cut back, options, etc.). Keep us posted on the build progress. We love seeing homes come together on here. Check out some of lkbum's posts on his lake home. It was a real stunner in the end.

I love my GC. I mean, we're really only getting started (demo mostly complete, starting to frame all those windows and some other stuff) but so far we get along great. (And even though we're only starting, he's been patiently waiting for me/helping me get my act together for ... two years, I think?) If things keep going the way they have been, I'm going to have really lucked out on finding him.

Anyway, I've thought of posting pictures but not sure anybody cares or where to post them, e.g., on some thread I keep updating or windows here, other stuff elsewhere, etc.

The distributor sent me the receipt for the 50% of the windows I paid today and I replied with "are they here yet?" I can't wait to see them/touch: VGDF windows. Love wood, even if critters do, too.

What I'm really looking forward to taking pictures of is a real plasterer at work. Metal lath plus an inch of plaster with custom plaster crown. When those guys retire (I found exactly one that covers my neighborhood, maybe three total in the bay area), something wonderful will be lost.

Well...you are off to a good start then. A good GC relationship is critical and he sounds like a gem. You are totally right about the dying arts and retiring artisans. Its really scary to think about and especially when everyone's default response it so supposedly bring in more folks for construction. The trades have been decimated by this idea that only college educated folks are the real "successful" careers. One of the reasons that I like Mike Rowe so much.

As far as the pictures go, there are a ton of building geeks in this forum and guys that really appreciate the work. They are probably as good off inside this forum as any other sub-forum on Houzz.

Good luck and keep us posted.

There are even people who think you need a diploma to this stuff!

Kind of hijacking this thread, but ...

See-through house:

Can you see the french doors?

Visualize the door....be the door....

In some ways, this will be one of the biggest changes to the house. That't the primary bedroom (there is no master) and it used to be pretty dark.

But the cottage, though smaller, will get an even bigger change since it's getting french doors in both the bedroom and living room.

Hmmmmmmm, which way should I swing?