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Comment by GavinB | Hacker News Reader

Simplest explanation: The owners had them installed to test different contractors, designs, and/or materials. Wouldn't you have someone put a few in before you signed a contract to put them all up?

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Typically no, you wouldn't. Building contractors aren't teenage web designers, they don't put up with that sort of nonsense. Either you give them the whole job, or they walk away.

You think someone is going to walk away from a job that size because you asked them to put in one window to start with? I seriously doubt it

Maybe not in Detroit, but most places, yeah. If a customer signals that they're going to be a pain in the ass, the contractor will bail. There's no shortage of work for builders.

In Detroit?

There are hundreds of windows to be added. The owner is a billionaire. The contractor will do whatever he asks.

Also, maybe they're testing window designs and not checking out the contractors work. "Does it fit?" "Let's order 3 and try." It's not hard to imagine why someone would want to install a few windows in a big abandoned building before installing all of them.

They do if the client and his architect ask for it.

I've seen builders make little brick monoliths in a vacant lot to test the look of different materials.

I think these were likely installed at the expense of a window materials salesman.

They're not testing the contractors, they're testing the materials and designs.

Especially in Detroit where quality contractors might be harder to come by. I'd send my best guy for the chance to land the whole project.

Quality contractors are not hard to come by anywhere in Michigan. Because most new construction dried up, you can usually find quality contractors for good prices willing to start right away.

You would probably find the best bang for your buck in Michigan. Lots of quality, just little work.

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