Getting Window Estimates

[Vette10R]

Im currently getting estimates to replace all my windows in my house, I only have 8 total to do so I'm expecting prices to be reasonable...

So far I have received one proposal and it's from a contractor using Richlin Windows. I've never heard of Richlin but they are made in Minnesota about two hours from where I live...

When I received the estimate I almost fell over lol.. $14,388 for 8 windows installed!!!

Is this what I should expect or is this company nuts!? I actually have Home Depot coming over for an estimate tonight then another company next week. What are your experiences with windows? 7 of my windows are your typical size bedroom window, the living room is a little bigger but not huge...

 

[tthornto]

Sounds like you got talked into just about every option, so they decided to stick it to you on installation too. Good quality custom replacement style windows for just about any size can be found for $200-$500 each and installed for a few hundred more. I had a previous (small 1000sq ft) house redone with 5 new windows and a sliding glass door for about $6000 and that included blowing in insulation to the entire attic as well.

 

[rt dak]

Last year I was quoted $8,000 for 16 replacement windows. Standard double hung, Wincore brand.

 

[jdsac]

Avoid Home Depot- the installers are not their employees. They contract out to installers . Get some one local, preferably an established small biz . A large business
looses control of the quality.

 

[Vette10R]

Last year I was quoted $8,000 for 16 replacement windows. Standard double hung, Wincore brand.

That's what I'm looking for!

 

[yeldogt]

Are they doing the whole window -- a replacement window sits in the old frame. Different animal.

 

[Vette10R]

Avoid Home Depot- the installers are not their employees. They contract out to installers . Get some one local, preferably an established small biz . A large business
looses control of the quality.

Only reason home depot is coming is I was in the store and stopped to look at the display windows quick. Salesman asked if I needed help blah blah... I actually asked who installs the windows and he told me home depot does, he specifically told me they do not contract out the window installs...

Eitherway it's a free estimate and I want several so I'll see what they say tonight.

 

[Vette10R]

Are they doing the whole window -- a replacement window sits in the old frame. Different animal.

Whole window

 

[rt dak]

Whole window

So i'm assuming new construction window then? If so then they're going to have to mess with interior trim and exterior siding. Obviously going to increase cost substantially. Any reason why you can't do replacement windows?

 

[Vette10R]

I guess I don't know how these old windows separate from the frame or didn't know they Did? I'll ask the home depot guy if I can reuse the frame on these... they do look a little rough but maybe I can send them down and restain them?

 

[ard]

Whole window

You sure about that? So removing siding, removing above and below the window, repair vapor barrier & flashings, maybe new head flashing?????

HD plays games with how they contract and install in each state. One 'contractors license' that might cover 20 installer teams, each one carefully and completely trained and monitored by the licensed contractor (yeah right)

'Replacing windows' is a very, very, very lucrative job- these companies that can roll a salesman/estimator in a few days notice are very skilled at this. (Estimating/selling)

Personally I'd rather know what windows I want then find someone to do the install. (Actually I'd just do it, and I have many years ago. House full of Pellas)

What kind of windows are you installing? Wood, vinyl, clad? Casement, picture, etc?

 

[No Noise Dude]

About two years ago, I had a contractor replace our bathroom and kitchen windows with the Thermo-Tech brand. (We're replacing windows in stages). Unfortunately, I do not recall the pricing of the two windows as they were lumped in with our Eagle sliding glass patio door. For those that live in Minnesota, Thermo-Tech is headquartered in Sauk Rapids.

 

[PeterT]

Yeah, HD and Lowe's sells the windows, they send out an estimator/measurer, month later the guys show up with the windows, they yank out the old ones, leaving the frames,, they fit and screw them in and seal with great stuff.
I did my whole house with pella vinyl windows, for about $12k (about 20 windows). I had a price of about $24k on marvin windows wood complete replacement windows, where they would of pulled out the complete window, had to fix the outside trim and inside trim. In hindsight Iwish I had gone with the full window replacement.

 

[D45]

$25k for 22 Pella windows with built in blinds, interior wood trim included and exterior finished.....in 1999

 

[Marctrees]

OMG... OMG.. OMG repeated a hundred times.

Replacement window Salesman are amongst the top niche of Thieves.

Find a GOOD knowledgeable that KNOWS about replacing windows in a existing house (NOT just new construction) Carp, then get Quality windows, and have him put them in.

Will be definitely way less than half, possibly 1/3 your original quote, unless you got weird huge windows, or other odd demands like internal shades or something.

As the posts above, YOU either need to personally oversee the install, or PAY for someone that is both knowledgeable AND trustworthy.

Replacement Window salespeople are NOT to be trusted overall, I have plenty of experience w them. Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Yeah, HD and Lowe's sells the windows, they send out an estimator/measurer, month later the guys show up with the windows, they yank out the old ones, leaving the frames,, they fit and screw them in and seal with great stuff.
I did my whole house with pella vinyl windows, for about $12k (about 20 windows). I had a price of about $24k on marvin windows wood complete replacement windows, where they would of pulled out the complete window, had to fix the outside trim and inside trim. In hindsight Iwish I had gone with the full window replacement.

"Frames" ??

What is your definition of window "Frames" ??

I don't even understand of how a window can be installed w/o a "frame".

"Leaving the frames" ?????

Maybe if it's a solid picture non moving window..... pretty rare.

Then what/ and HOW ??? the heck are they installing if they are "leaving the frames" ????

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

$25k for 22 Pella windows with built in blinds, interior wood trim included and exterior finished.....in 1999[/QU

Well, you got Sold I guess.

The Salesperson had an AWESOME "Steak House" Dinner. Marc

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

What size are the windows? Are they under 100 united inches? (width by height ). $1798.50 per window is extravagant unless there is some thing extra special about the units that they quoted.

 

[dneiding]

Just a little tip I learned about 10 years ago when I got replacement windows. Ask to see a copy of the warranty before you buy.

I came to learn that many replacement windows have a "lifetime warranty". The catch is, some window manufactures place the lifetime of a window at - say 20 years. After 20 years, the window's "lifetime" is up therefore it is out of warranty. Instead, look for a "for as long as you own the home" warranty. The windows I got are warrantied for as long as I own the home and transferable to a new owner once.

I remember when the Sears sales guy came. I liked the windows and liked the price. I asked for a physical copy of the warranty and he was like 'it's lifetime, what more do you want to know'. I said 'I want to read it for myself before I commit'. He wouldn't produce it so I choose someone else who could produce the warranty before I purchased.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

"Frames" ??

What is your definition of window "Frames" ??

I don't even understand of how a window can be installed w/o a "frame".

"Leaving the frames" ?????

Maybe if it's a solid picture non moving window..... pretty rare.

Then what/ and HOW ??? the heck are they installing if they are "leaving the frames" ????

Marc

Replacement windows are installed by removing the stops and sashes and placing a unit inside the wooden frame that is left. The exterior is wrapped in aluminum coil and the interior is trimmed with wood to make the transition from the new to the old.

 

[LB-1911]

"Frames" ??

What is your definition of window "Frames" ??

I don't even understand of how a window can be installed w/o a "frame".

"Leaving the frames" ?????

Maybe if it's a solid picture non moving window..... pretty rare.

Then what/ and HOW ??? the heck are they installing if they are "leaving the frames" ????

Marc

Slow down - take a breath - It has been an option available for decades.

One example

Jeld-Wen Vinyl Replacement Window Installation - How To

 

[Lunker]

I would say you could find someone for about $350 per window installed

 

[Marctrees]

Well that sounds.... I think... OK.

I have never thought of that possibility, but makes some sense.

No need to disturb the exist flanges, Brickmold, etc.

You get maybe slightly smaller windows, but OK I guess.

Does make overall sense. Marc

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Avoid Home Depot- the installers are not their employees. They contract out to installers . Get some one local, preferably an established small biz . A large business
looses control of the quality.

Home Depot is the General Contractor and runs the whole job, including the permit. They also cover the license, liability insurance, workman's comp insurance, and most importantly the warranty. They are Certified for EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices. The installers are under contract to Home Depot, but you have a Home Depot project manager and project coordinator. Their installation of Simonton windows carries a Lifetime warranty on parts and labor. If you choose the upgraded windows they also warranty against accidental glass breakage. If they install Andersen wood windows they also warranty for glass breakage, something even Andersen does not cover. Unlike some "lifetime" warranties, there is no trip fee, no co-pay, no deductible.

I agree there are plenty of shady "used car salesman" window reps....but we aren't all like that. There are good and bad in every profession, some professions just seem to have more of one than the other.

Get apples-to-apples quotes.
Don't compare a vinyl "insert" replacement window with a wood replacement window, and don't compare an insert-style with full-frame replacement.

A cheapo vinyl replacement window in white should be anywhere from $400-$600 installed, using your old interior trim and capping the outside trim with aluminum.

A premium vinyl window would be more like $600-$800 installed.

A wood window would be around $1100 installed.

If your home is built before 1978 the EPA will want to know that your contractor is licensed to deal with the potential lead paint issues. It isn't hard and should not add more than $50 labor per opening.

 

[Marctrees]

Hmmmmmmmmm... wonder who pays for those "conveniences"

For the one time in 59 years I had a baseball go through my window from the Sandlot kids, I'll pay for it myself, Thank You.

But hey, any over $ may be worth it for the " EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices" Marc

 

[Vette10R]

The home depot guy just left he was here for almost 3 hours! I wasn't expecting that as the first guy was here for about 15 minutes lol...

Home depot guy was an older guy probably close to 60, he was very knowledgeable and taught me more about windows than I ever knew. Him and I thoroughly looked at each window and he showed me that 3 of my windows are actually good don't need replacement, I can pull a couple of the stops out of those and either sand and stain or replace stops then clean and lube and those should be good.

The other 5 windows in my house have bad frames which is my issue. The glass is actually good but frame rot appears to be causing them not to seal good and I'm having trouble opening and closing those. So I want those 5 completely replaced.

I currently have Anderson casement windows from 1998 and 2002. He quoted me Anderson 100 series vinyl sliders at $6500 installed with tax. That includes lifetime warranty on parts and labor including accidental breakage.

I like the price and was happy with his knowledge, also happy that he didn't try and sell me windows I didn't need. I'm just not sure if I want the sliders or not?

I'm going to be getting more bids as well...

What do you guys think of his prices/tactics?

 

[ard]

Home Depot is the General Contractor and runs the whole job, including the permit. They also cover the license, liability insurance, workman's comp insurance, and most importantly the warranty. They are Certified for EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices. The installers are under contract to Home Depot, but you have a Home Depot project manager and project corrdinator. Their installation of Simonton windows carries a Lifetime warranty on parts and labor. If you choose the upgraded windows they also warranty against accidental glass breakage. If they installs Andersen wood windows they also warranty for glass breakage, something even Andersen does not cover. Unlike some "lifetime" warranties, there is no trip fee, no co-pay, no deductible.

Sounds great- I guess most of the time.

Tell that to wantonsoup (thread in this forum)- who had HD install two Clopay garage doors (like a $5k+ job)- they (ie the HD installer) ordered the wrong size (failed to follow Clopay instructions), and after 6 months of back and forth finally told him to pound sand.

I bet he thought 'big company like HD, with all their quality assurance, fancy titles, training programs, blah blah- they will surely stand behind their work'.

Not so much.



IMO having a general contractor with thousands of installers isnt any assurance of a high quality job. Really it seems like a way to get a mediocre job, (with a lot of caulk to cover all sins perhaps?)

A father and son contracting company? Prolly a safer bet for a quality install.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Sounds like he gave you a thorough consultation and not just a sales pitch.

You should be able to put it on your Home Depot card and get 0% interest if paid in 24 months. That could save you a lot of interest not being paid on another card, depends on your situation.

$6500 for 5 windows sounds about right for Andersen Fibrex 100 series windows. The Fibrex material is a composite made of wood shavings, vinyl shavings, and binders compressed into pellets and then used to mold the frames. Makes it maintenance free and not susceptible to rot like your old wood windows.
If price is a factor you could also have the Home Depot guy quote Simonton 6500 sliders and would probably be closer to $4,000 with a transferable Lifetime warranty (including glass breakage).

I am having 11 windows and a patio door replaced in a new-to-me 2004 home in Indianapolis area. I opted for the triple pane windows. I don't usually suggest them because most people are not in their home long enough to take advantage of the payback period in energy savings, but I plan to be there 10-15 years or more.

 

[ard]

The home depot guy just left he was here for almost 3 hours! I wasn't expecting that as the first guy was here for about 15 minutes lol...

Home depot guy was an older guy probably close to 60, he was very knowledgeable and taught me more about windows than I ever knew. Him and I thoroughly looked at each window and he showed me that 3 of my windows are actually good don't need replacement, I can pull a couple of the stops out of those and either sand and stain or replace stops then clean and lube and those should be good.

The other 5 windows in my house have bad frames which is my issue. The glass is actually good but frame rot appears to be causing them not to seal good and I'm having trouble opening and closing those. So I want those 5 completely replaced.

I currently have Anderson casement windows from 1998 and 2002. He quoted me Anderson 100 series vinyl sliders at $6500 installed with tax. That includes lifetime warranty on parts and labor including accidental breakage.

I like the price and was happy with his knowledge, also happy that he didn't try and sell me windows I didn't need. I'm just not sure if I want the sliders or not?

I'm going to be getting more bids as well...

What do you guys think of his prices/tactics?

Sounds like a good guy.

But 5 windows for $6500?!?

You havent explained sizes, nor what kind of windows... I googled 'anderson vinyl series 100 slider' and found a couple of single hung at $300-400 each

Say 500 w shipping

5x500=2500 for windwos, shipped to your house.

so 4000 for install?

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Sounds great- I guess most of the time.

Tell that to wantonsoup (thread in this forum)- who had HD install two Clopay garage doors (like a $5k+ job)- they (ie the HD installer) ordered the wrong size (failed to follow Clopay instructions), and after 6 months of back and forth finally told him to pound sand.

I bet he thought 'big company like HD, with all their quality assurance, fancy titles, training programs, blah blah- they will surely stand behind their work'.

Not so much.



IMO having a general contractor with thousands of installers isnt any assurance of a high quality job. Really it seems like a way to get a mediocre job, (with a lot of caulk to cover all sins perhaps?)

A father and son contracting company? Prolly a safer bet for a quality install.

Home Depot is not the General Contractor for the garage door installation, they run the project through a local vendor. I read some of the thread(s) about his doors and there was a fair amount of disagreement over what his problem was, how to solve it, or if he even had a problem, and what Clopay recommended. Not an apples-to-apples comparison with Home Depot Exteriors installed windows.

Having thousands of installers is not a guarantee that there will be no problems...but they will resolve problems that come up, just like they can in any home improvement project. Yesterday we installed a custom patio door and the manufacturer sent mis-matched parts that would not allow the door to slide. New parts are on the way.
And a father-son contracting team sometimes is the best way to go, especially if you have experience with them and like their work. Even so, one of them could get sick or injured, business could fold, and then who takes over the warranty work?

If everyone liked everything the same we would only need one flavor of ice cream. Some people will prefer the backing of a nationwide company, others will prefer the personal touch of a small local contractor.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Sounds like a good guy.

But 5 windows for $6500?!?

You havent explained sizes, nor what kind of windows... I googled 'anderson vinyl series 100 slider' and found a couple of single hung at $300-400 each

Say 500 w shipping

5x500=2500 for windwos, shipped to your house.

so 4000 for install?

Sliders go from side to side, hung windows go up and down

Single hung means only the bottom sash moves, the top is fixed in place and does not open. The 100 series do not tilt in to wash but supposedly are 'self cleaning' glass so you don't have have to tilt them in to clean

 

[ddawg16]

Sounds like a good guy.

But 5 windows for $6500?!?

You havent explained sizes, nor what kind of windows... I googled 'anderson vinyl series 100 slider' and found a couple of single hung at $300-400 each

Say 500 w shipping

5x500=2500 for windwos, shipped to your house.

so 4000 for install?

We don't know how big those windows are.

I just re-did my kitchen window....it 'was' a 30x30. Now it's a 48x48 bay window with casements on the side.

Milgard...vinyl inside, fiberglass outside, double paned, low E, tempered. Almost $1000 for just the windows. I made the frame and installed them

 

[yeldogt]

I have anderson casement windows at a beach house -- installed in 1994-5 ... not one problem ... they are all fine. I'm wondering what would make one of yours fail from 2002?

If they have rot -- I would be looking at why before installing new. My original french doors all failed - but, that was because of a bad design .. Andersen helped me out with replacement panels.

How complex is the trim on your casements? What's the siding outside? I'm trying to visualize a replacement window inside of a casement?

I'm not a big fan of replacement windows -- have reluctantly used them with some success on a couple projects. The cheap ones can really screw up the look of a traditional home with double hung windows built before WWII .... the best ones have small frames and many sizes so the need for filler strips traduced

 

[markzrt1]

I've replaced all the windows in my house that was built in 1998. I swear the builder specifically asked for factory rejects to install. I installed new construction windows and they made a huge difference. I actually don't mind installing windows. Can save a ton of money and know it's done right.

 

[yeldogt]

I've replaced all the windows in my house that was built in 1998. I swear the builder specifically asked for factory rejects to install. I installed new construction windows and they made a huge difference. I actually don't mind installing windows. Can save a ton of money and know it's done right.

It's amazing how cheap some are .. and they put them in million dollar builds. As I said -- I used Andersen Casement at my beach house because they had vinyl cladding and not AL ... I don't consider Andersen "Top of the Line" .. but they make a decent product for a fair price ... most mass builders don't care ... nor do new owners .. they don;t really look.

 

[bp2014]

You should contact Anderson. Your windows might still be under warranty.

 

[Witchkingofangmar]

Windows are something I would like to eventually change out at my new-to-me home. House was built in 68 and has the aluminum sided windows. They all work fine, but just look dated.

Grandfather, who was a cabinet maker, told me to pick one of the windows in the back and try to replace it myself. Do one a weekend and be done in a couple months.

One day perhaps!

 

[ddawg16]

Windows are something I would like to eventually change out at my new-to-me home. House was built in 68 and has the aluminum sided windows. They all work fine, but just look dated.

Grandfather, who was a cabinet maker, told me to pick one of the windows in the back and try to replace it myself. Do one a weekend and be done in a couple months.

One day perhaps!

The AL frames move a lot of heat....typically in the wrong direction. The sooner you replace them with vinyl, the warmer/cooler your house will be. And it makes a huge difference on sound.

 

[Pack Rat]

The Andersen 100 Series now offers a pre-cut field installable trim kit for the windows.
I have three 100 series casement windows with trim kits on order. They are quite large.
I'll hire an installer to put them in. My short list is two contractors. I know their work.

 

[Catadj78]

Growing up my father had a small construction/remodeling company. He taught me how to put windows in. Not a hard job at all.

I have to replace my windows. My house has the aluminum windows that look like poop.