Replacement windows

[f6john]

Anybody have this done recently? I may be replacing all the windows on the back side of my house due to storm damage. First quote was $28,000 for 12 windows. I’m having Renewal by Anderson come out and give me a quote and they will probably be higher. My insurance company has already committed to $34,000 for a new roof, fascia and gutters minus my hefty $2500 deductible. I’m going to do some more investigating with more local suppliers and installers. I considered doing the install myself, which I have experience, but I have two triple and one double window that are 12’ off the ground and I don’t think I could manage that.

I replaced all the windows in my previous home, 11 windows I believe, for less than $3,000. It’s getting crazy out there.

[da prez]

  Windows have gotten costly. Renewal is not replacing the entire window frame. They cut the glass area out and insert a new window mechanism.  If the frame is rotten , they may not tell you , or A D D to the bill.  If there is siding damage , new construction windows are the way to go.  You should be able to find weekend help to do the install. 
  Home Depot charges extra for special order. Menards or Lowes Is good on windows. Menards has the best door prices.  I still do the majority of my own work.

                                                  da prez

[0leman]

We're in the process of replacing our window due the age of them.  Three of our living room windows were total replacement because of change in style and wanted the two smaller windows to open.  We have replaced 4 others where the glass company said that the frames were in good shape.  These were just cut out and now window put in.  Not cheap, somewhere around $4K so far.  We have three more to do. 

The process of replacing just the glass was interesting as I had not seen this before.  Not sure I ever gave it a thought on how the windows were stuck in the frames.   They use a sticky double-sided tape from a flat roll that is placed in the frame and then glass is stuck in.  There is a trim placed on the outside.

[Hook#3287]

My experience with replacement windows is there is a lot of difference between windows and window installers.

Renewal is by far the most expensive I've come across, but do seem to have great customer service, quality product and well vetted installers.

Mixed results with HomeDepot and Lowes.  I've seen some installer issues, but both will ultimately stand behind the product and fix install issues. ( squeaky wheel rule)

Then there's the large local companies and franchises. (We have Window World and they seem to do quality work). These companies are hit and miss.

Then there's the local contractor, that may or may not have the knowledge and experience needed, but will most likely install any window you provide.

As with any home improvement, it's the owners responsibllity to do the homework if they want quality work. Ask for and check references. Check provided licensing.

Require a contract and READ it.  Don't make final payment until your completely satisfied or get signed off by building official, if required.

I see so many people get ripped off because they didn't follow basic guidelines and just trusted whoever.

[Timbo1]

If the $28k price is only for 12 windows that's $2333 a window.  Unless they're all new bay windows or require a lot of additional construction like rotten frames in brick or rock or all wood or custom built to match what you already have I'd say that's way out of line.  But not knowing what type of window replacement they quoted you who could say.

I'd suggest getting many quotes and understand what each are trying to sell you.  There is a difference in the quality of different window manufacturer's.  The sales person should have a small sample window to demonstrate what makes their windows better than the rest.


https://www.fixr.com/costs/vinyl-window-installation
https://modernize.com/windows/frames/vinyl-windows
https://www.homedepot.com/services/c/cost-install-replacement-windows/e57e696e1

[f6john]

My existing windows are all vinyl. When they come out the only thing left will be the studs and the surrounding brick work. So the replacement windows will be complete frames and sashes but won’t have a nailing fin as a new construction window would have. I wouldn’t help if they did as the nailing fin is behind the brick. I could do the install myself if they were on ground level, but two triples and one double are on a second story height due to a walk out basement.

These are windows getting replaced.





Not a great picture, took this in the late evening probably 4 years ago.

[threevalks]

Had mine done with Window world a few years ago. Well pleased then and still today. But that could all change with who is the installer. Here in WV, at that time WW subbed out the installation. Mine were great, a father with two sons crew. You may not be as lucky. Your mileage may vary.

[Jess from VA]

20 years ago, I got all new 100% vinyl Certainteed windows (all hand made bent aluminum window trim, all new vinyl siding and new gutters (with leaf covers) for $10K.  Double pane, thermaflect coating, argon gas filled.  

I replaced several side by side double-hungs with large single sliders, which saved me some money.  13 windows total.

But it was all done by a one man company who was exquisitely skilled as the best installer in my area.  He gave me a list of 50 homes and said go see them and talk to the people (I went looking but didn't knock on doors to talk).  All the windows in my smallish house were done in one long day.  Smashed out the old and put new in the holes.  And these solid vinyl windows are far superior to wood ones like Pella.

I've had a couple small problems with the windows over the years, one replaced under warranty, one hit by a big tree branch, and the picture window lost it's argon gas.

Not only did it tighten up my house a good deal (saving on heat and cooling), it quieted it down from outside noise like 500%.

[Jess from VA]

John, you can't believe how much fun you are missing from having my 5 100year old oaks to clean the leaves up every fall.



Me.  (man this gets old)

[Avanti]

Looks like you just need one match.

[f6john]

John, you can't believe how much fun you are missing from having my 5 100year old oaks to clean the leaves up every fall.



Me.  (man this gets old)

Even the small apple tree in the picture is gone! Storms have decimated all my trees that I had when I bought the house. Two larger trees that were in the front yard are gone too. I have replanted around front (oaks) that will never provide shade for this old guy but may be attractive to new owners one day. I do receive most of my neighbors leaves from across the street and west of me due to prevailing winds!

[Rams]

Anybody have this done recently? I may be replacing all the windows on the back side of my house due to storm damage. First quote was $28,000 for 12 windows. I’m having Renewal by Anderson come out and give me a quote and they will probably be higher. My insurance company has already committed to $34,000 for a new roof, fascia and gutters minus my hefty $2500 deductible. I’m going to do some more investigating with more local suppliers and installers. I considered doing the install myself, which I have experience, but I have two triple and one double window that are 12’ off the ground and I don’t think I could manage that.

I replaced all the windows in my previous home, 11 windows I believe, for less than $3,000. It’s getting crazy out there.

We had all the windows in our home replaced with Vinyl double pane about 4 years ago, so far we've been happy with the results.  IIRC, it cost about $15K.  

Having been through that experience, I'd be happy to come supervise you doing those windows.   This assumes you won't take much of my advice.  

BTW, due to my fear of heights, I'll be advising you from the ground.

Rams

[Hook#3287]

As A building official, I can't suggest contractors when asked.

What I tell people is if there is a honest to goodness lumber yard nearby (not a big box store) go ask the counter people for suggestions.

They should know the good contractors.

[Rams]

As A building official, I can't suggest contractors when asked.

What I tell people is if there is a honest to goodness lumber yard nearby (not a big box store) go ask the counter people for suggestions.

They should know the good contractors.

Probably good advice but, I've become skeptical about people in general, those lumber yards may also have favorite contractors based on who buys the most from them.   IOWs, research and check.   My own General contractor wanted to use the cheapest HVAC contractor but after I checked out some of his previous customers, vetoed my General's choice.

Rams

[cookiedough]

seems pretty high priced to me.  about 15 years ago got 6 windows done and installed lifetime warranty vinyl sliding windows for 5K.  My advice go any company who will stay in business next 20 years or so hopefully with lifetime warranty and go vinyl, NOT wood.  Wood rots over 20-30 years.

I did triple pane windows vs. double pane.  IMO is NOT worth the added expense though since mfg had to replace 3 of the 6 windows since the seals on triple paned glass kept leaking gas out and creating small gas spots in the panes of the glass.  Replaced all for free though since as said, go LIFETIME WARRANTY ones replaced no questions asked. 

[Timbo1]

My existing windows are all vinyl. When they come out the only thing left will be the studs and the surrounding brick work. So the replacement windows will be complete frames and sashes but won’t have a nailing fin as a new construction window would have. I wouldn’t help if they did as the nailing fin is behind the brick. I could do the install myself if they were on ground level, but two triples and one double are on a second story height due to a walk out basement.

These are windows getting replaced.

Being in brick will probably require more labor and possibly some masonry so increase in cost for that.  It really depends on how the existing windows are sandwiched between the brick and the interior of the window opening.  Removal could be as simple as running a sawzall or multi purpose tool along the nail flange to cut out and remove the existing window then slap the new window in the opening.  Or it could be the interior framing or sheet rock overlaps the windows that would require removal and then some additional interior finish work, again adding to the labor cost.

Again I'd suggest getting as many quotes from reputable companies as you can.  As even with extra labor I don't see each window costing over $2k.