I hear you on the “simple” upgrade turning into a whole saga. When I swapped out my own windows (not ReliaBilt, but similar price range), what started as a weekend project spiraled fast. Pulled the first frame and found a mess—old caulk, warped sills, insulation that looked like chewed-up cotton candy. Ended up having to rebuild part of the framing just to get a tight fit.
Here’s what I learned: 1) Always check for water damage before you start yanking things out. Tap around with a screwdriver—if it sinks in, you’ve got rot. 2) Don’t skimp on sealing. I used a combo of spray foam and backer rod, then flashed the outside with tape. 3) The moisture barrier is your friend. If it’s missing or trashed, take the time to put in a new one—even if it means an extra trip to the store.
Honestly, I get why folks question the long-term durability of some of these budget windows. If you don’t prep right, even the best window won’t save you from drafts or leaks. Sometimes it feels like fixing one thing just uncovers another... but at least now I sleep better knowing what’s behind my walls (mostly).