Cost to install repalcement windows ...

[IHateMyJob2004]

I have some windows that need replacement.

I was BLOWN AWAY by the bid I got.

Anyway, I need:
2 - triple double hung window units (something like 110" wide and 70" tall).

These are big windows. I know that. The local lumber yard said that the raw material cost is about $1000 per window. That's for a low end Anderson. It sounds a bit low but that's what I was told.

The thing is, how much should it cost in labor to get these things in? These are essentially on a second floor so scaffolding might be needed. I'm not sure how the pros do this (ladders or scaffolds).

There are a few other windows but there cost should not be that great to install.

I'm hoping to contact some installers tomorrow to come out and give me quotes.

 

[slag]

I just had 18 triple pane low E custom made windows installed by WoodBridge. They were around $940 installed for each window and have a lifetime warranty that is transferrable to the next home owner. Kid hits a ball through the window? No problem, call woodbridge, give them the number on the window sticker, and boom, a week later they are out with a replacement window and install it free of charge. No need to open a claim against insurance or anything. ANYTHING that happens to the window is covered under their full replacement guarantee except the screen fabric because pets often ruin the screens, however, if you call them, chances are they will come replace it also. The warranty is a a free transferrable one to the next home owner and it is for the lifetime of the home, not the homeowner or some bogus "lifetime" definition of X number of years.

My windows are double hung, both swing in to clean, and are pretty sweet.

 

[NoTine42]

110" wide by 70" tall. That's really wide and odd looking for a double-hung, or is that really a double unit? (2) double-hung windows mulled together?

Traditionally, a double-hung window is taller than wide.

As far as I have seen, a replacement window is often installed from inside.
New construction windows are installed from the outside.

The actual window install would only be an hour's bill for a competent contractor. But the inside and outside trim can take longer.

There is a lot of money in window sales, that's for sure.

 

[skimple]

Post pics. I am doubtful that is a 9' wide double hung sash. That would be a VERY heavy window to open as a double hung.

 

[Homerboy]

He said "triple double hung"
So that's got to be THREE standard double hungs which would make sense given the 110"x70" overall -- three windows of ~3ft wide and 6ft tall. Those are some BIG ass openings though.

$1000 for the window sounds pretty cheap. I was getting quotes for two double hungs for $1000ish but I was going with a nicer window.

 

[Vincent]

I replaced all the windows in my old house through Lowes. It cost much less than what Window contractors quoted me.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Cost of window replacement is heavily dependent on the type of window, the features of the window, the brand, and install requirements/training that may be required by the manufacturer to honor the warranty. Any custom carpentry for windows costs a ton.

I've replaced windows in two houses, and in both cases we opted for a mid grade double hung windows. In one house we put in Pellas. In the other we used Andersons. Glass and size wise the windows in both houses were roughly equal (double glazed, low e coating, argon filled). The main difference was that the Pellas were kevalar reinforced to prevent warpage due to the large temperature swings experienced in the Northeast. We paid ~$500 window installed for the Andersons, and about $700 window installed for the Pellas.

 

[BoomerD]

We had Simonton vinyl windows installed in our last house about 7 years ago. We had all the players in the biz come give us bids. They ranged from about $6500 for horrible-looking windows to over $20,000 for very nice windows. One of the Simonton dealers came in...and with their "$100 per window discount, $500 discount for more than 10 windows, etc." the price finally landed at about $9500.
Low-e, "self-cleaning" glass, 2 patio sliders, 2 odd sized half-moon windows, and 9 other windows...a couple of double-hung, the rest sliding windows.

Shop around...even sellers of the same brand and style can be a long ways apart on the price.

 

[zbalat]

I am in the window business and sight unseen I would say 2-110 x 70 white triple DHs vinyl replacement windows with LowE 366/Argon and foam filled frames $825.00 each installed.

Installation includes insulation, caulking, exterior aluminum wrap, removal and disposal.

 

[richardycc]

The install won't be cheap, at least $1k, probably closer to $2k. you are probably looking at around $4k for this window if you want something nice.

 

[RagingBITCH]

We got a huge range of bids for our windows, from Pella to Anderson to Simonton and finally decided on Window World. Part of it cost, part of it lifetime warranty, etc.

The contractors who installed our windows install all types, and even the head guy said he'd recommend WW. For the average homeowner, it's a great window and he just laughs when he sees people pay 3-4x more for the Pella/Anderson. That being said, if it was a high dollar ($2+ million dollar house) he'd of course opt for the Ferrari of windows, but the average homeowner doesn't need to waste their money elsewhere.

We love them. Vinyl, Low-E. Opens from both the top and bottom and tilts. Father in law just had a new house built last year and theirs don't tilt or open from the top - he was kind of mad when he saw ours. That being said - the off-size windows will run quite a bit more - what zbalat sounds reasonable. (We have a similar sized window above our front door, but it cost close to $1800 b/c it was tempered.)

 

[DrPizza]

Installing replacement windows is a do-it-yourself type of endeavor that rates around "barely easy." Not hard. Install is a cash cow for some of those companies - most people are intimidated by the job. There are hundreds of how-to videos on youtube. And, videos to cover virtually every type of installation (brick house, etc.). Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8680yx7fI Not the greatest video, but I'm also not going to spend an hour looking at a dozen different videos to pick the best one. But, 2 hours of time watching videos - you may realize, "hey, I can save about $5000 by purchasing the windows from someone other than these big name window installation companies that charge too much."

There are also plenty of reviews (probably consumer reports, etc.) on the quality of various replacement window brands as well as models. Unless I'm mistaken, the price of replacement windows is often determined by the united inches - that is, the length plus the width. The window frame, sealing the glass around the perimeter, etc., is where the money is at; the difference in the price of glass based on different surface areas is insignificant.

For example, (I can't remember which brand is better, which models have the most complaints, etc., so, sorry, do your own research) at Lowes, I quickly narrowed the search down to the various triple pane windows that looked decent. Price range for them was around $350-$500 per replacement window (of the stock sizes.) If your house is fairly new construction (within past 30 years), there's a very good chance that your size is an "off the shelf" special order, rather than custom built. But even then, custom sizes are sold by the united inch, and aren't anywhere near the installed price of $1000/window that some of those window companies charge.

edit - saw zbalat's post above - seems reasonable for a complete installation of that size of window.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Replacement windows are installed by measuring the rough opening....removing the old window and sliding the new window in. Putting screws into the sides of the window to secure it as it's shimmed to level the sill and plumb the sides. Next, they will caulk the seams and make sure it's as air-tight as possible. If you have siding on your house, they may need to put aluminum flashing around the window or do additional siding work.

For larger windows, you can guess they'll need to install the window from the outside and it may be a 2 man job. You kind of get what you pay for when it comes to windows....getting the lowest quote may not be the best deal. Consider the thickness of the air space in between the panes of glass as that's your insulation and it can really increase the R-factor...especially if you get full sun on the glass.

I recommend checking all the local companies in your area (not Champion) and avoid going through Lowe's or Home Depot. They either sell you low-end windows with little or no R-value and bid the install out to whoever will do the work. You often get someone hiding behind the larger company and doing inferior work.

For windows that size, you can expect a few hundred per window to install. It all depends on how much finishing work, how long it takes to do the work, and how many people they need to lift those things up. They'll likely work off ladders.....

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

110" wide by 70" tall. That's really wide and odd looking for a double-hung, or is that really a double unit? (2) double-hung windows mulled together?

Traditionally, a double-hung window is taller than wide.

As far as I have seen, a replacement window is often installed from inside.
New construction windows are installed from the outside.

The actual window install would only be an hour's bill for a competent contractor. But the inside and outside trim can take longer.

There is a lot of money in window sales, that's for sure.

I intend on getting a 2 triple double hung windows. That means one unit looks like 3 double hung windows next to each other.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I am in the window business and sight unseen I would say 2-110 x 70 white triple DHs vinyl replacement windows with LowE 366/Argon and foam filled frames $825.00 each installed.

Installation includes insulation, caulking, exterior aluminum wrap, removal and disposal.

OK, get this. We were quoted $10K for two Marvin windows installed. That's why I was floored.

I was figuring $4K installed based on what another lumber yard told me. $1K for low end Anderson windows this size. So, $2K for the windows. I figured that due to size it will take longer to install these, so maybe $2K.

How much should the installation actually cost? Just installation?

EDIT: Just e-mailed the person that gave us the quote asking for a breakdown. If he doesn't respond, I don't really care. He's pretty much not getting my business.

 

[Humpy]

OK, get this. We were quoted $10K for two Marvin windows installed.

So many tards blurting out prices for plastic windows from Lowes when the OP got quotes from one of the more expensive manufactures without mentioning any details.

First, it's not really 2 windows, it's 6 windows connected together into a pair of units. It would be easy to order up some Marvins that rightfully cost 10K installed. Throw in difficult site conditions and some lead paint remediation in a high cost of living area and it could be more.

Hopefully the installer knows better than to respond to a request for a "breakdown".

Edit: Eh, I'm a little cranky. I hope the OP finds a good installer at a fair price.

 

[Humpy]

..

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'll go generic crap from Lowes first.

But seriously. I was quoted $1K for Andersons. The Marvins are a little more. Even if $1500, that is still $7K to install them.

No way!

 

[Capt Caveman]

In my old house, I replaced about 16 windows by myself. First one took a long time to install but after that, pull out the old window and installing the new one was pretty quick.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

FWIW;

My neighbor used to be be a contractor before turning to being an architect. He said he was on a two story ladder one day that was windy with gusts and he said "that's it". He already offered to do it with me. I like keeping friends as friends though. I might have to inquire at this point.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

OK, Anderson Windows at Home Depot are pretty darned expensive.

WTF at the lumber yard that quoted $1K?

 

[bradley]

Lowes sub-contracts installers in your area, then they tack on extra percentage for their role as the middle-man. You are better off reading reviews for contractors in your area on Angie's List or through word of mouth.

1K for installing large double-hung windows is a good standard price. Measuring and installation is easy for a lot of things, the disposal and cleanup that's the hard part for large installs. Though some window manufactures will void the warranty for self-installs, so check first.

My recommendation for high-quality attractive windows at an affordable price.
http://www.oknawindows.com/

 

[richardycc]

Window World, $189 installed..."not only we stand behind our windows, we stand on them." LOL

 

[bradley]

I believe $189 is for Window World's bare-bones base model. Apparently they use replacement windows from Alside, which don't look that bad. Looks can be deceiving though, and haven't delved much into their literature.

 

[mizzou]

buy mcmansion pay mcbucks


aren't vinyl windows pretty cheap nowadays? I haven't had to go window shopping, but I remember when my parents got Pella windows it was a "Big deal"