What is a ball park estimate for installing 20 Pella (wood with exterior vinyl) replacement windows ? Cost of the windows will be about $10,000. How much do I pay for a contractor to do the whole job including cost of the windows?
$18,000 $24,000 $30,000 $36,000 $______
One guy I know takes the cost of the material and multiplies by 2.5 and that's the price he charges -- In this case that would be $25,000.
Any thoughts?
I've been getting estimates on replacement windows - I've heard everything from $150 a window to $250 a window - there doesn't seem to be any correlation against the price of the window - I've heard that HD allows their subcontractors $150 a window for installation when you buy the windows there.
I put these in for $200 per window. Customer orders and buys the windows. If I buy the windows then it comes out to about an extra $50 per unit to cover my time ordering, the use of my money, and any risk of a screwed up order. Also if the customer buys the window and there is a warranty problem, with the window, I don't need to be involved.
"Also if the customer buys the window and there is a warranty problem, with the window, I don't need to be involved." - not necessarily true.
Google "replacement windows" and you'll see situations where someone bought the windows themselves, hired a contractor to install the windows, and then got stuck when there was a warranty issue - the manufacturer claimed that it was "improperly installed" (covers a multitude of problems) - *maybe* the contractor will offer to install another replacement window at no additional cost as a good faith gesture, but it'll be a window you buy yourself cause the manufacturer won't replace it under the terms of their warranty.
I can see a benefit buying from one of the majors that do their own installs (Pella, etc.), or buying from HD because they handle the install with their own crew - at least if you have any problems, you can go to HD - they've dealt fairly with me over the years.
If you sub the install yourself after buying the windows yourself, I think that there are potentially more problems.
But I'm far from an expert . . .
"njoracle" wrote
No Pella replacement window should run you $500 per, unless they're a triple unit (a picture window flanked by a double hung or slider on each side).
As far as _the guy you know_, find yourself a real installer. Any cluck that comes up with a figure like that, doesn't have a clue.
I'll take the job for $24,500. I'll travel to any place in North America for that.
Depends on some details with trim, etc. About $150 to $200 a window would be about right. How handy are you? Take your time and see how simple it can be and save a lot of money.
In '01 we replaced 22 ancient aluminum windows in a fixer-upper with vinyl sliders and the bill was $5600. IIRC the install was $2500 of that or about $110 per window. The crew that did the work was two men and a young boy, and it only took them two days.
Prices have certainly increased since then, but I'd wonder about anyone trying to get more than $250 per window unless it was a tricky install or they have to work high off the ground.
How about going through Home Depot or Lowes? I understand that I'd pay more but I'd have the guarantee backed up by Home Depot or Lowe's and wouldn't have to worry about selecting a "real installer".
Pella dealers, in this area, (upstate NY) offer install services for there windows.
HD and Lowes is the last place I'd go. Too many problems too many times for me to take a chance. If you do a search you can find the stories in this group.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.