My dh just made an appt to have someone come give us an estimate for new windows on the second floor of our house. They are coming today at 3pm and that is just when I get home from work. I have no idea what a reasonable estimate would be and my dh wants me to make a decision on the spot (I probably won't, feel like I should shop around a bit). We definitely need a new bathroom window and soon. So, it's either just the bathroom or eight windows total (one large, two small, three normalish and one bathroom window). Can anyone throw me a ballpark range?

We got 2 special order, DIY install windows for about $160 each from Home Depot. Of course size is a big factor here.

HD and Lowes both sell various windows, and will install them. (HD has a 10% off sale right now) If you take rought measurements, you can go to those 2 stores and get prices on windows/installation. Then, if you like those prices they can come out and do a very careful measurment for you.

If the problem is just drafts, there is a stick-on draft blocking product that comes in rolls. Open the window, apply to bottom surface, then close. Costs $2-3 per window. Huge cost savings! We did it here and drafts are much lass:thumb

We just ordered new windows from home depot. They're odd sizes, and 3 of them are fairly large, I'm not sure how much difference that makes. We're spending roughly $10,000CDN for 7 windows, which is $5000 less than the other estimate we got. And they're coming out to install them (we're 40mins from the nearest store) and taking away the old windows. Oh and that # includes 2 doors installed too.

ETA: opening vs. fixed makes a big difference as well, we're getting one very large fixed, one slightly smaller fixed, one that size sliding, 3 med sliding and one small fixed, plus 2 exterior doors that need the holes enlarged.

Thanks. I hadn't thought of HD and Lowes. That's more up my alley than calling lots of window companies and having them come in to do estimates. We have some odd-sized windows in our old house and I don't trust myself or dh to diy, so it will probably cost more. We are only planning on staying in this house another couple of years, so don't need anything extra special. The windows are certainly drafty, but they just don't function well either.

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I work at a hardware store and I have replaced windows in my home.

DO NOT ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ALLOW THE SALES MAN TO PRESSURE YOU.

They will try to say well I can offer you this much off today if you buy now. Look at them and say if you really want my business you will give it to me at that price tomorrow after I have time to think. It is amazing what they can do for you if they know you won't budge. We have two odd size windows that was 100 less at other places. The other windows were same price but it all adds up.

From what I seen of the business the quote they give to you on the spot is good for 10-15 days. Get them to garuntee if for that amount of time if you can. If they refuse it might be a clue this isn't the company you want to go to. Use this time to shop around. If you go to your major hardware store's web site they will tell you how to measure. SHOP AROUND!!

Your major hardware stores will charge you a measure fee but if you can haggle from company A measurements then you can be a better shopper.

Don't forget about asking if they have a high rise fee and then there will be incidentals like caulking. Read the back of the tub of cualking but from my memory it is 1 tube per window on average.

Make sure you ask your installers what happens if they find hidden things like water or termite damage.

If you have a window in the bathroom have extra money just incase there is water damage. I'll warn you we have a lot of bathroom windows that have water damage in our area becuase it was common to put a window in the tub/shower area.

If you have any more questions PM me I will try to answer them.

Thanks. I'm taking some notes, marsupialmom. I don't tend to be the best in dealing with salespeople (introvert, I take a little while to process things). I hadn't even thought to ask about water damage and high rise fees and such.

In my experience, it's definitely worth shopping around. I figured out what type of window I wanted (brand and style) and had several companies give me quotes. The total amount quoted varied by more than $10,000--we had quotes for our whole house ranging from $6000 to $20,000 for the same exact windows. If we hadn't shopped around, we could have paid way more than we needed to.

Also, Home Depot and Lowes are not always that cheap once you add in installation costs. Plus, if you measure it yourself, then it's your fault if it doesn't fit right. If they do the measuring, it's their fault!

We started pricing things...windows + install...and HD and Lowes were not the cheapest and did not have the best service. We've learned to shop around (including HD and Lowe in the bunch).

You get what you pay for, I would pay more and go with a reputable company that has been around for a long time. This is not a place to look for a bargin, cheap windows don't last and then they end up in landfill. Also, see if they can be repaired if needed. Sometimes it is cheaper and easier to replace the window than fix it, how does this make sense? Also, check warrenties and etc, how long do they stand by the product, have they been in business that long yet? It can be surprising how short of time it is. Also, I second having someone else measure, it can be an expensive mistake and if they do not make a size to fit your opening, consider custom size. If it is smaller you open another can of worms to fill in, and it often looks second rate without additional expense, which takes away any savings from a custom cost. Good Luck.

You get what you pay for, I would pay more and go with a reputable company that has been around for a long time. This is not a place to look for a bargin, cheap windows don't last and then they end up in landfill. Also, see if they can be repaired if needed. Sometimes it is cheaper and easier to replace the window than fix it, how does this make sense? Also, check warrenties and etc, how long do they stand by the product, have they been in business that long yet? It can be surprising how short of time it is. Also, I second having someone else measure, it can be an expensive mistake and if they do not make a size to fit your opening, consider custom size. If it is smaller you open another can of worms to fill in, and it often looks second rate without additional expense, which takes away any savings from a custom cost. Good Luck.

I just had all Andersen fibrex windows installed here and let me tell you... I wish a thousand times over I'd gone with someone else. Their company treated us horribly, the price was crazy, and now my house reeks of caulk fumes... (installation was Sunday!) They "forgot" to bring our sliding glass door, disconnected my dryer vent and left it lying on the floor, and overall... UGGGGGGH...

The only thing I will say is this... when I first met the Andersen rep I had a really bad vibe about him, and then against my better judgement decided to go with Andersen anyways. So, GO WITH YOUR INSTINCTS. You have them for a reason. I am kicking myself for not listening to myself now. :(

Here's a link about Vinyl windows but you can ask any window questions there...
http://www.vinyl-replacement-windows.com/forum/

I hope that helps in your search!

Thanks for the vinyl windows link, prettypixels. I've looked into a little bit. We have talked to two companies so far. One had inferior windows. The other-Castle- manufacture their own windows, have professional installers, a good warranty, good windows, etc, but the salesman really rubbed us wrong. He did the whole need to make a choice today schtick and really tried to push us. That really turned dh and I off. Now we need to try and find another decent local company...

Check out angieslist.com for your area. Get 3 estimates for the same kind of window and the same work. Prices can vary by a lot.

Me and hubby just went through the shopping around for new windows thing too! We had 4 different companies come talk to us and give us estimates. We have 14 windows and were quoted from 7 to 15 grand with installation. We went to HD and the windows alone (no installation) came to 1800. Lowes came out to 2500, again, just the windows. We are definetly gonna go the DIY way. Installing windows is really not that hard. My dad did this with the help of my 17 yr old brother to our old house a couple summers ago and was finished in a weekend. I know your thinking uhh, I don't know how to install windows! But that is what the guys at HD and Lowes are there for. My dad and brother surely did not have a clue either!! You talk to the guys working at the store, and they will explain everything to you, and give you a little instruction booklet for you to take home that includes pictures and whatever. We are gonna end up saving over $5000 by doing it ourselves. If I were you, I would check out HD and Lowes, get an estimate, and would have the professionals working there give you a basic idea of what is involved when you take out the old windows, and install the new ones. Once you have all this info, you can weigh what is more important to you. Saving money and DIY, or if its not something you feel comfortable with, then spend the extra cash. It is definetlely worth looking into!