Just got 4 companies to quote replacing all 27 windows on my 20+ year old home, we moved in about 4 months ago and they all look very dilapidated.

Quotes range from $18,000-$125,000 (Anderson Renewal)

What should I look at for, most are quoting vinyl windows with 10-15 week lead times.

One way to compare is to check what's included in the warranty and whether it's transferable if you decide to sell. That always looks good on a listing.

We just had Window World DFW come out last month to replace 17 windows, approx $11k. They look AMAZING. Cleaned up as they worked and after, caulked very neatly. That was our 2nd time to use Window World as we also used them on our previous house, it was easy for the new owners to get the warranty transferred. We ordered around November and it was ready in mid Feb, so that sounds similar to your timing.

TXAGGIES said:

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Quotes range from $18,000-$125,000 (Anderson Renewal)

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Is that really $125k or $25k ?

Here's my napkin math

Total windows x average glass sq ft(assumption of 3050 window average)

27x15=405

Total glass sqft x sqft glass of fiberglass

405x70=28350

Window cost (note, did not include any door assumptions)- roughly 30k. Now. This is a median window cost. You can spend way more or less. I'd expect vinyl to be less, but I literally never work with vinyl

This is in the neighborhood of what I'd expect fiberglass windows to cost.

Plus labor and mark up.

Say 600.00/window avg for labor

27x600= 16200

So, 46200 or so plus mark up. No clue what these companies charge so let's assume 30%

46200x 1.3= 60060

Obviously, there might be some some conditions that could be in play, ie- siding type, 2nd story, big windows and so on.

There's also how they install- are they just cutting out the old windows and replacing with flangeless or are they removing trim/cladding and properly waterproofing?

We used Pella windows. Pella gave us a quote, and a 3rd party contractor installing Pella windows gave us a quote. We told Pella about the 3rd party quote using their windows, and they matched the price. May have the same opportunity here.

$125k is a lot. WOW.

I just had Window World replace 33 windows in my house for $20K. Very happy with their operation. Lead time ended up being about 12 weeks.

My two cents...

Play attention to the following when comparing replacement double-pane vinyl windows:

1. Frame material: Not all vinyl is the same. I would stay away from vinyl that is 100% recycled, as it tends not to hold up as well as 100% virgin or a virgin/recycled mix. There are other vinyl mixes that might be better than 100% virgin, such as that offered by Anderson and Pella.

2. Frame size. Sometimes mfg'er make their frames larger (and thus area of window glass smaller) to fudge their energy ratings. Larger Frames with less glass area tend to look cheap after they are installed.

3. Hollow frames vs. insulated.

4. Glass thickness and e-coatings/gas. These play a big role in energy efficiency and longevity.

Most companies offer similar warranties, but be sure to play attention to this as well. More than likely, the first thing to fail will be the e-coating and/or the vacuum between the panes. Make sure the warranty will cover that.

For what it is worth, I have had a good experience with Window World too.

Sounds like our experience with recent vinyl replacements. We had quotes from 22 to around 65k. Didn't bother asking Anderson. We went with the one in the middle that had great reviews and we felt at ease with dealing with the company (no hard sell tactics). Smaller frames/more glass and they used the same crew I think on all their installs.

We went with dissimilar glass panes (different thickness on each) to help with STC rating/noise reduction. Lot of the cheaper outfits did not offer this as an option. Laminated glass does this as well, along with some security benefits, but its a lot more expensive. Decide whether you want grids or not, but check your HOA rules. Be ready to deal with the HOA in general, mine was kind of a pain where I had to take photos marking my plans for each window.

Was quoted like 12-15 weeks lead time as well, and that's how long it took.

You ain't going to get any where close to a $125k value out of window replacement - on the energy efficiency increase side or the resell side. I would say with that many windows $30k would be what I would be looking for - $1k a window would be my max.

Just had Window World do our house in DFW last week. Half the price of any other quotes we got. As mentioned above, the frames are larger but that isn't a problem for us. None of the workers spoke English if you wonder how WW is so much cheaper.

Two dumb questions as I'm about to start down this path:
1. Should I replace the siding at the same time if surrounding some windows? Can you replace the siding separately?
2. I just had blinds replaced. Do they have to take down the blinds to install windows?

1) dunno
2) i took down the blinds myself. assume you could pay them to. also of course any furniture has to be moved away from windows.

Installers will address your window coverings, think thats factored into the cost typically. They will take them down. And your alarm, although they can't promise some contacts won't need attention after by an expert.

We got 24 new windows of various sizes including some that were custom. We went with NT Windows out of Arlington. Also got three new doors. All in including installation was 20k but that was in 2017. Very pleased with the quality.

1. Post pictures of the window and we can let you know. They will cut the window out from the inside so they shouldn't need to touch the siding.
2. They should take down the blinds and put them back up. Make sure to get it in the contract though. There can be a discrepancy from what the salesman says and what the installers actually do.

You also want to look at the balances. A few companies really cut corners here. You want a constant force balance and not a block and tackle.

SJEAg said:

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Sounds like our experience with recent vinyl replacements. We had quotes from 22 to around 65k. Didn't bother asking Anderson. We went with the one in the middle that had great reviews and we felt at ease with dealing with the company (no hard sell tactics). Smaller frames/more glass and they used the same crew I think on all their installs.

We went with dissimilar glass panes (different thickness on each) to help with STC rating/noise reduction. Lot of the cheaper outfits did not offer this as an option. Laminated glass does this as well, along with some security benefits, but its a lot more expensive. Decide whether you want grids or not, but check your HOA rules. Be ready to deal with the HOA in general, mine was kind of a pain where I had to take photos marking my plans for each window.

Was quoted like 12-15 weeks lead time as well, and that's how long it took.

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You mind sharing which company and windows you used? I'm especially interested in ones to help with noise reduction.

So you remove brick before you remove the window?

Sure, I am in Sugar Land and used Houston Window Experts. The windows themselves were manufactured by Amsco.

Dissimilar glass definitely cost more, but it wasn't absurd and worth it IMO. I did a few laminated windows at my last house and I think those are even better for noise but were incredibly expensive. Got that quoted as well, but it was too much of a price increase to consider given I was doing the whole house. They both work in the same way, the varied thickness (or the lamination) of each lite affect/cut sound frequencies differently. Some good material out there on the internet if you search on the term.

Yep, brick, stone, siding, trim....whatever is coving up the flange.

Hmm. I've never seen it done that way. I'd love to see a finished job done that way.

This is unequivocally better and I'm also concerned about long term leaks, but I got a large number of bids and none of them did this.

What replacement window companies in Texas do this or do you have to hire a contractor?

No window company will do that. I'd call a mason not a window company to do it that way.

The companies I had came out and said remove the windows, fill the gaps left with slow expansion foam and fit the window. No one removed the bricks not even the $125K quote people.

I'm a custom builder, not necessarily a window replacement company.


But, on remodels where we are say, doing only a portion of the house, but then replacing all windows everywhere, we have our Mason remove the stone/brick, our framer install windows/waterproof, then our Mason comes back to replace the stone/brick.

I put my above estimates on what I'd think the cost for a window replacement would end around if it was flangless. I'd add another couple hundred dollars per window if the Mason was needed