Why we don't publish prices
We don't publish prices for replacement windows. No standardized regional price index for window replacement is published for the cities we serve; costs reflect local contractor reporting, and they vary with the house, the windows chosen and the condition of the openings. A number on a website can't measure your windows. What we can do is explain what drives the cost, so you can read a proposal and understand why two proposals differ.
What drives the cost
Number and size
More windows mean more cost, but not always in proportion: a larger project spreads the cost of setting up, measuring and ordering. Large windows cost more than small ones, and some sizes are standard while others have to be custom-made.
Frame material
Vinyl, wood, fiberglass, composite and aluminum frames differ in price, appearance, durability and maintenance. Within each material, product lines vary widely in construction and finish.
Glass package
Double- or triple-pane glass, the type of low-E coating, gas fills, laminated glass for noise or security, tempered glass where codes require it, and obscured glass for bathrooms all affect the price.
Style and shape
Fixed picture windows usually cost less than operable windows of the same size. Casements, bays, bows, arches and other specialty shapes cost more, and custom shapes cost more again.
Installation method
Insert replacement is usually less expensive than full-frame replacement, which involves removing trim and exterior finishes, repairing the opening and rebuilding the flashing.
Condition of the openings
Rot, water damage or out-of-square openings found during removal add repair work. A good proposal explains how hidden damage will be handled and priced.
Exterior and interior finishes
Stucco patching, siding removal and reinstallation, new exterior trim, interior casing, sills and paint all add cost. Ask exactly what's included.
Access
Second-story windows, windows over roofs or steep slopes, and windows that need scaffolding take more time and equipment.
Permits and lead-safe work
Permit fees, inspections and, in pre-1978 homes, lead-safe work practices and cleanup add cost.
Color, grilles and hardware
Dark or custom frame colors, interior wood finishes, divided-light grilles and upgraded hardware all add to the price.
Lead times and deposits
Most replacement windows are made to order after the contractor measures the openings. Lead times vary by manufacturer, product line and season, and custom shapes take longer. Many contractors take a deposit when the order is placed. Ask how long the windows will take, whether the price is fixed while you wait, what the deposit is, and what happens if a window arrives damaged or the wrong size.
Warranties
There are usually two warranties: the manufacturer's, which covers the window itself, and the contractor's, which covers the installation. Read both. Ask what each covers, for how long, whether glass breakage or seal failure is included, and who you call if something goes wrong.
Why proposals differ
Two proposals can differ because one uses full-frame installation and the other inserts, one includes stucco or trim work and the other doesn't, or the product lines and glass packages differ. Compare them item by item: same windows, same glass, same installation method, same finishes. A much lower price often means a different method or fewer finishes.
Reading a proposal
A good proposal names:
- every window, with its size, style, frame material and glass package;
- the product line and manufacturer;
- the installation method for each window;
- how hidden damage will be handled and priced;
- exterior and interior finishing work;
- permits and, in older homes, lead-safe work;
- the manufacturer's warranty and the installation warranty.
Questions to ask about price
- What exactly is included, and what could change once the old windows come out?
- What's the deposit and payment schedule?
- How long until the windows arrive, and is the price fixed until then?
- Who handles warranty claims, you or the manufacturer?