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How much to change out this window?

T

TechBoyJK

Lifer
I just put an offer in on a house. I want to change a few things, and a few of the windows need to be replaced.

Here's a front view. I want to change out the two right windows. They're older and should probably be replaced. However, I don't like that they are so small. If you notice the larger windows to the left of the front door. Those are the size I want on the two left windows.

2145490656.jpg


Here's the windows from the inside.

2145490667.jpg


What I want to do is knock that window out, and basically double it's height.

Is this going to be a big deal? To my understanding I'd basically just need to remove the existing window and cut out enough space for the new window. This would require removing some brick, etc. but for the most part it should be straightforward, right?

I'll have a professional do it, but I'm trying to gauge what kind of problems I might face in having that done. Thoughts?
 
Replacing existing windows with newer ones is no big deal. Maybe $200-400 apiece if you do the work yourself (not that hard).

Making the windows larger is major surgery. I can't really put a price on it, but as a comparison point I just had two bay windows re-sheathed in PVC and new windows put in and it was $7500. If the front of that house is brick (I can't quite tell), then just forget this idea 🙂. Go find a house with windows you like.
 
The good news is making the window taller is less work than making it wider IMHO. The bad news is its still a lot of work. Plus a good quality window isn't cheap either.
 
NutBucket said:
The good news is making the window taller is less work than making it wider IMHO. The bad news is its still a lot of work. Plus a good quality window isn't cheap either.
Click to expand...

I'm basically hoping it's less than $1,000 per window (window+installation).

Both my dad and my current roommate have done home construction, so I'm tempted to buy the windows, and do the demo myself with their help. I know a few contractors that install windows so I might just call them to put it in after I open it up.
 
TechBoyJK said:
I'm basically hoping it's less than $1,000 per window (window+installation).

Both my dad and my current roommate have done home construction, so I'm tempted to buy the windows, and do the demo myself with their help. I know a few contractors that install windows so I might just call them to put it in after I open it up.
Click to expand...

You need to budget much higher. It can easily cost you $1k in just the finishing work (you're repainting two walls and redoing the window frames/moldings/trim).
 
I'd live with the windows. Looks like a late 50s house. People went this long with those windows, and you can too.
 
I think you'd be insane to make the windows taller simply because the outside of the house looks like brick. If it was siding making the windows taller would be simple. Wider as others stated is when it turns into a much bigger project (supporting rafters, removing the old header and putting in a new one)

Another thing to pay attention to is anything major you do could attract attention from a building inspector.
 
DeviousTrap said:
You need to budget much higher. It can easily cost you $1k in just the finishing work (you're repainting two walls and redoing the window frames/moldings/trim).
Click to expand...

Well, I'm already planning to repaint the interior. So I would just do the windows first.

VulgarDisplay said:
I think you'd be insane to make the windows taller simply because the outside of the house looks like brick. If it was siding making the windows taller would be simple. Wider as others stated is when it turns into a much bigger project (supporting rafters, removing the old header and putting in a new one)

Another thing to pay attention to is anything major you do could attract attention from a building inspector.
Click to expand...

I'd only want to make them taller. Since I'm already going to be repainting the interior, I'm not worried about that. I'm also going to rerun the electrical (has 2 prong outlets) so if I had to reroute the electrical to get around the window that wouldn't be a major issue.
I guess the concern is cutting out the brick. Silly question, but isn't there a saw for that?
 
Markbnj said:
Replacing existing windows with newer ones is no big deal. Maybe $200-400 apiece if you do the work yourself (not that hard).

Making the windows larger is major surgery. I can't really put a price on it, but as a comparison point I just had two bay windows re-sheathed in PVC and new windows put in and it was $7500. If the front of that house is brick (I can't quite tell), then just forget this idea 🙂. Go find a house with windows you like.
Click to expand...

here in Denmark it wouldn't be too big a deal, but I have a feeling that the construction business is a bit different in the US and a contractor with the right skills and equipment to cut out a brick wall is probably going to be expensive, I'm guessing bricklayers are kind of a dying breed judging by the way you all build houses.
 
I hope you are being told you have a very high chance of getting accepted before you start becoming too emotionally attached to the home..... :/

Good luck though.
 
TechBoyJK said:
I'm basically hoping it's less than $1,000 per window (window+installation).

Both my dad and my current roommate have done home construction, so I'm tempted to buy the windows, and do the demo myself with their help. I know a few contractors that install windows so I might just call them to put it in after I open it up.
Click to expand...

Not a chance in hell it'll come in that low. If you want decent windows, you're going to poney up probably $500 per window unless you want giant-frame fiberglass crap. Cutting the brick is a bitch. Pray there are no electrical wires (as someone else already said).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8v_I8L6k80

See the guy who is cutting the brick? See his biceps? That isn't by accident.
 
The windows them selfs will cost as much as the install. All the electrical will be below the windows at ankle height. It is really no big deal dealing with cutting brick and cutting the drywall. Most of the people who have answered on this thread have no idea what the fuck they are talking about. That is all
 
Take whatever you think it would cost and time that by 2 or 3 if you want better quality. I just had my front door with 2 sidelites replaced, I thought it would be around $3k, but final price was around $5.5k, that's with a 25% off or else it would be over $6k.
 
richardycc said:
Take whatever you think it would cost and time that by 2 or 3 if you want better quality. I just had my front door with 2 sidelites replaced, I thought it would be around $3k, but final price was around $5.5k, that's with a 25% off or else it would be over $6k.
Click to expand...

you paid 6k for new front door?

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 
Mu daughter was quoted by a local window manufacture for premium (lifetime) replacements (no size differences) at an average of $1200/window. Another window places was offering $900/window and when she said she would think about it; they have called her back and are sending a lower quote.

So the cost of $700-$100 per window should be reasonable; the resizing may increase the installation cost; depending on the price point.

However, get quotes (unless you intend on doing it your self) and sit on those quotes or play them off over a period of a month or two.

If you are a DIY; check out the better quality line at Home Depot or Lowes.
 
kmcrowl said:
The windows them selfs will cost as much as the install. All the electrical will be below the windows at ankle height. It is really no big deal dealing with cutting brick and cutting the drywall. Most of the people who have answered on this thread have no idea what the fuck they are talking about. That is all
Click to expand...

You can determine price and see wires through walls from a picture?

I'm going to go ahead and include you with "most of the people who have answered on this thread and have no idea what the fuck they are talking about" if it's OK with everyone else.
 
Vdubchaos said:
you paid 6k for new front door?

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
Click to expand...

I too was sticker shock. But like everything else, quality costs $$$$. The 2 sidelites weren't cheap, and I had certain spec and style in mind, even the thermatrue or Pella quote from lowes was in the $5k range without the lock set and the storm door. Anyway, don't wanna highjack this thread, but the door I got is from Provia signet line, google it, it's high end stuff, others have paid a lot more than me, so I think I got a good deal.
 
You replace those two and you're going to end up replacing the one you're happy with so they match. And while you're getting quotes, you're going to realize just how old and inefficient the rest of the windows in the house are and you're really going to be tempted to replace them all. None will be stock sizes due to the age of the house so they're going to have to be custom made. See where this is going?

They're not just going to cut the brick, they're going to have to take them out and replace them such that the cut ends are facing away from the window so that the cut ends are hidden with mortar. It's going to look like shit to have finished ends of brick at the top and cut ends at the bottom. Also, matching the mortar is pretty much not going to happen so that will always be obvious. But you'll need new shutters and you may get lucky and they will cover most of the patching.

The shrubs will have to come out as they will block the view from inside and you'll need window coverings of some kind for those front windows because they are bedroom windows. They were not tall originally for a reason.
 
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ch33zw1z said:
IMO, replace them for now. Plan for expanding windows down the road, after you cut the bushes down. 🙂
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Quite possibly might just do this. I really think it'd look better with the bushes trimmed down, and larger full size windows.

BUT, depending on how much work is involved I just might replace the windows as is. My roommate can replace windows. He did it for 2 years working for a contractor. Just windows though. I wouldn't ask him to do any brick work or anything. So if I do decide to just replace the windows, I'll get good reviewed replacements at Lowes/HomeDepot and just have him put them in. Would be fairly cheap. Much cheaper than resizing.

We'll see. Thanks for all the input guys.
 
I agree, it would look better with a garden/planting similar to the left side of the house, or much shorter bushes.

Whoever does it will have to remove about a foot of brick from the wall underneath those windows on the right. That won't be cheap to get it done right.

Spend some time getting the area in front of the windows ready, because whoever you hire to expand those right side windows is going to need access to the front of the window areas.

Also spend some time determining if there's any electrical running through that area of the house. The mason will want to know anyways. If there is, then you need to figure how what circuits their on, and what else is on the circuits. If there is electrical in the walls, then removing it is best done by a licensed electrician.

I'm all for doing basic electrical yourself, this would just be a little out of my comfort zone.
 
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Depends on code/your insurance on where you live.

Down here all windows have to be replaced with certain rated hurricane glass. My quote for a simple 3x4' window was something like $1800-2200 from multiple contractors.
 
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