For years, James and Nikka covered the windows of their 1938 Richmond home in plastic every winter to keep out the drafts. This spring, Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia replaced all sixteen of those windows at no cost to the couple. We did it through our partnership with Rebuilding Together Richmond (RT RVA).
It was our largest Renewal Cares project to date. Here’s their story, how RT RVA works, and how you can apply for help or get involved.
Are There Free Home Repair Programs in Richmond, VA?
Yes. Rebuilding Together Richmond is a nonprofit that repairs homes at no cost to the homeowners it serves. Its focus is seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children in Richmond, Chesterfield, Petersburg, and Hopewell.
RT RVA is a local affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national home repair nonprofit. Its mission is “repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.”
The organization focuses on critical repairs and accessibility upgrades that help neighbors stay safe in the homes they already own. RT RVA combines skilled volunteers with licensed professionals so each dollar goes further.
RT RVA delivers help through three programs:
- Safe and Healthy Housing. Every home starts with an in-home assessment based on a 25-point set of health and safety priorities. Repairs are planned around each homeowner’s needs.
- Critical Home Repairs. RT RVA hires licensed contractors year-round for work volunteers can’t safely handle, such as roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
- Volunteer [Re]build Programs. Companies, churches, and civic groups volunteer on repair days during National Rebuilding Month in April and Fall Fix-Up in October.
Meet James and Nikka and Their 1938 Home With Drafty Windows
James and Nikka’s home in Richmond was built in 1938.
Many of the original windows had metal frames, and they let in drafts. Every winter, the couple covered the windows in plastic to keep the heat in.
“We always, each year, had to put plastic over the windows so we could stay warm,” Nikka said.
They considered re-glazing the eight-pane windows at the back of the house but decided against it. The plastic stayed up, year after year.
When Nikka isn’t at home, she works as an aide on a school bus for children with disabilities. She speaks about the children with real warmth and calls them some of the brightest learners she knows.
Why Nikka Wanted Renewal by Andersen
Nikka did her homework before choosing a window company. She compared options and talked with people who had replaced their windows. Some told her their new windows had turned cloudy or still let air through.
What stood out to her about Renewal by Andersen was that we build our own windows and install them with our own trained installers.
“I said, I’m going with Andersen,” she recalled.
She had already met with our team for a quote. The cost wasn’t within reach at the time, so she planned to wait and save.
How the Project Came Together
When Rebuilding Together Richmond assessed the home, Nikka told them how many old, drafty windows she had. RT RVA added the windows to the home’s repair list, and she asked for Andersen windows specifically.
The project was then sponsored at no cost to the couple as part of our 2026 Renewal Week of Service. That’s Renewal by Andersen’s annual volunteer initiative during National Volunteer Week. Our team closed out the week by joining RT RVA for National Rebuilding Day.
“They’re the one that I wanted, and I got it,” Nikka said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Sixteen Windows, Sixteen Different Sizes
Older homes rarely have standard-size window openings, and James and Nikka’s house took that to an extreme. No two of its sixteen windows had the same measurements.
Nikka said our measurer told her he had never been in a house where every window was a different size.
That ruled out off-the-shelf windows from the start.
“So it took a professional,” Nikka said. “Me and my husband couldn’t have done it. You couldn’t go to Lowe’s and buy the windows and put them in, because they would have to be special cut.”
That’s how Renewal by Andersen works on every project. We measure each opening in the home first, then custom-build every window to fit those exact measurements. For a house like theirs, sixteen openings meant sixteen windows built to sixteen different sizes. Homes like this are exactly where custom replacement windows matter.
For this home, we installed Renewal by Andersen Acclaim windows, all in a double-hung style.
“We’re taking a lot of the older windows that were definitely in need of being replaced, and we’re putting in our brand-new Renewal by Andersen Acclaim windows,” said Page Ewell III, CEO and owner of Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia. “It’s going to make this home feel so much more comfortable. The homeowner’s going to love the ease of use, because before, they were really hard to operate and not energy efficient.”
Good to know: If your home was built decades ago, don’t assume your window openings are standard sizes. Standard-size windows from a home improvement store may not fit older openings without modification. An in-home measurement shows what your home actually needs before you compare quotes.
National Rebuilding Day: Volunteers Beyond the Windows
Windows and doors are what we’re known for, but our team came to do more than install windows.
About a dozen Renewal by Andersen team members spent the day at the home, and the entire project was completed in one day. While our installers replaced the windows, volunteers worked on the yard. They mulched Nikka’s garden, added finishing touches, and handled other maintenance around the house.
For Page, that hands-on time with the homeowners is the point.
“When we’re on site, getting hands-on and helping homeowners, that’s the most rewarding,” he said.
The project was part of Renewal Week of Service, when Renewal by Andersen locations across the country give back in their own communities. Page also encouraged other contractors to get involved with Rebuilding Together Richmond.
“Fantastic organization,” Page said. “I would recommend for somebody that does what we do to get involved in the community. We’ve been doing it for years, and we love it.”
Before the day ended, the volunteers signed Nikka’s shirt so she could remember everyone who came out.
“They’re such great, loving people,” Nikka said. “You can see the love that they have for their products. They’re a nice group of people to have.”
Watch: Nikka, Page, and Rebuilding Together Richmond on the Project
How to Apply for Help From Rebuilding Together Richmond
If you or someone you know needs critical home repairs, start on RT RVA’s website:
- Visit RT RVA’s Find Help page to review current services and apply.
- Contact RT RVA directly with questions about eligibility and service areas.
- Expect an in-home assessment. RT RVA uses its Safe and Healthy Housing framework to decide which repairs come first.
How Your Business or Group Can Get Involved
RT RVA depends on volunteers, donors, and trade partners. You can help in several ways:
- Volunteer as a group. Groups can bring up to 20 volunteers to a project day, and no repair experience is required.
- Sponsor a project. Organizations can sponsor a project without sending volunteers.
- Volunteer individually. RT RVA especially needs skilled volunteers to serve as Technical Leads on project sites.
- Partner as a licensed contractor. RT RVA’s Critical Home Repair Program relies on licensed roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC professionals.
- Donate. Gifts help RT RVA serve more households. Visit the donation page.
What Is Renewal Cares?
Renewal Cares is how Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia and Roanoke gives back to the communities we serve. It includes window and door donations, team volunteer days, and our employee-directed Check Program.
Recent Renewal Cares projects include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rebuilding Together Richmond charge homeowners for repairs?
No. RT RVA completes repairs at no cost to the residents it serves.
What areas does Rebuilding Together Richmond serve?
RT RVA serves Richmond, Chesterfield, Petersburg, and Hopewell.
Who does Rebuilding Together Richmond help?
RT RVA focuses on vulnerable neighbors, including seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children. Contact RT RVA for current eligibility details.
What is National Rebuilding Day?
National Rebuilding Day is part of National Rebuilding Month in April, when RT RVA brings volunteer groups together to repair homes. In 2026, RT RVA held its project days on April 24 and 25.
Do volunteers need construction experience?
No. RT RVA welcomes volunteers of every skill level and matches groups with projects that fit their experience.
Can I get Renewal by Andersen windows if I don’t qualify for a program like this?
Yes. Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia offers free in-home consultations, where we measure your openings and walk you through your options. Schedule your free consultation.
