Is $20k for 11 windows and a slider the new normal?

That $20k quote is actually closer to the current market average in a major metro like Atlanta than the $10k you were hoping for. Prices have spiked significantly over the last three years, and $1,000 per window is basicly the entry-level baseline now for anything decent. Once you add in labor, old window disposal, and a company that actually stands behind thier warranty, you're easily hitting that $1,300 to $1,500 range per opening.

The $5,000 for the sliding door is definitely on the higher side for basic vinyl, but it isn't necessarily a price gouge. A quality slider is a heavy, complex install compared to a standard double-hung window. They have to pull the old frame, check the subfloor for rot, and get the flashing exactly right or you'll have water in your walls within a year. If that quote includes a door with a high-end rolling mechanism or better thermal glass, $5k is pretty much the floor for a professional job. My advice is to stop looking at general contractors and find a regional window manufacturer that serves the Southeast. Look thru their list of authorized installers on their website and get three quotes from those specific companies. This usually cuts out the high-pressure sales tactics and the massive marketing markups you get from the big national brands. You'll get a much better sense of wheather that $20k is your local reality or just one guy's high estimate. Also, check the actual specs on what they quoted. In a place like Atlanta, you need to pay attention to the **SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)**. If they're quoting a high-end window with a very low SHGC to keep your cooling bills down, that accounts for some of that cost. If it's just basic white vinyl with no special coatings, keep shopping. Just don't expect to find a quality 12-unit job for $10k anymore unless you're buying the materials yourself and doing the labor.

Wait, $5,000 just for the door? I was looking at the sliding doors at the big box stores last weekend and they were like $700 or $800. Is there relly that much of a difference between those and what a pro installs?

Also, that SHGC thing sounds complicated. How do I even check that on a quote? I'm just trying to make sure I don't buy somthing that's totally overkill for Georgia weather if a mid-range option works just as well.

The big box doors are night and day from a pro-grade slider. Those $800 units are usally thin vinyl that bows under the Georgia sun, and the rollers turn to junk in two years. A pro door like a ProVia or Sunrise is built like a tank and won't leak air. For the SHGC, check the NFRC sticker on the glass sample or the spec sheet. In Atlanta, you want that number below .25. It stops the sun from baking your living room. If the contractor can't tell you the SHGC rating off the top of thier head, find someone else who actualy knows their product.

Honestly, $20k for that many openings doesn't sound too crazy if they're a solid outfit. I'm over in Alabama and got quoted nearly $30k for a similar job last spring.

One thing to check—is that quote for double-hung or single-hung? If you go with single-hung windows where only the bottom sash moves, you can usally shave a decent chunk off the total. It’s an easy way to drop the price without sacrificing the glass quality or energy efficiency. Just a thougth if you're trying to get closer to a number you're more comfortable with.