What do new windows cost?
It All Begins Here
It depends.
New windows can cost anywhere from $150 or less to thousands of dollars each. The installation cost can vary just as much. But that’s not very helpful.
In this post we will:
Look at factors driving cost
Give you enough information to roughly estimate what your project might cost
Cost factors
Here’s the short-list:
Site accessibility, number of units to replace, location, building height, type of siding, type of trim, type of roof, damage and mold, unit shape, unit size, unit color (yes, it’s dumb but it’s true), unit function, unit material, glass quality, .u-factor, number of panes, unit brand, interior trim details, interior drywall details, and more.
This is why to determine the actual cost, you will need to solicit actual quotes. But you can get a rough idea with a little more information.
Rough estimating
For a normal Bozeman home of roughly 2500-3500 square feet, with windows typically between 16 and 30 square feet each, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,500 per unit, installed. That’s still a huge range, but here are some of the factors you can control, to help you narrow it down.
Material.
Window frames are typically made of vinyl (or a similar composite), fiberglass (or similar), or wood - often “clad” on the exterior (with aluminum, for example). The cost will ascend as you choose finer material.
Color.
White is usually cheaper than brown, which is often cheaper than black.
Function.
Fixed (picture windows) cost the least, and the cost goes up as you move through the list: gliding, single hung, double hung, awning, casement, tilt+turn.
Extras.
Grids (or grilles), special divisions, larger units, custom sizes and shapes, specialty glass (whether by choice or by requirement) such as safety glass or obscured glass, triple-pane, extra UV protection, higher insulating properties, and more, all raise the cost of the units.
Factors you can’t control (but you can predict)
Jobsite factors affect labor costs. You should be able to look at your project and imagine the difficulty and time involved in replacing your windows. The greater the difficulty, the longer it takes, and the more it will cost.
Are many of your windows in the second story?
Do they have simple, clean, exterior trims that look easy to remove, or does the siding go right up to the window and need special cutting?
Do you have a lot of large windows (bigger than 5×5) that look like they require 3 people just to lift?
Is your interior trim ornate, detailed, and beautiful, probably requiring a skilled carpenter to replace?
Do you have a great-room with tall windows, requiring interior scaffolding to handle, as well as exterior?
Will the contractor have to work on a steep roof to access some of the units?
Do you suspect there is damage to the underlying structure that will need to be repaired, perhaps involving some siding replacement? (You can usually tell by looking at the exterior trim - if it is obviously degrading due to water, there is likely to be some structural damage happening).
*Some of these factors can be mitigated by going with an “insert” option (we don’t do that. We use new-construction, full-frame, flanged windows whenever possible.)
To estimate your cost:
Start at $1,000 per unit as a base. Go up with each of these factors you see that looks like a “yes” for your project. If you need to drive that cost down, get ready to compromise in some of the optional factors (like material and function).
But keep in mind, your building envelope and structure should be treated with as much respect as your roof. Water is no joke, so don’t compromise by using an under-qualified installer, or trying to ignore existing damage, or using second-hand windows. Replacing windows is a serious expense no matter what you do, so don’t try to save 25% by buying years of headaches and possible water infiltration.
Feel free to reach out to Bozeman Window to chat about your windows or your project. We would love the opportunity to give you a real estimate or quote.