Welcome to our replacement windows starter guide – a step-by-step guide to this often convoluted and confusing process. Without further ado, let’s get to it.
If you have any questions about your replacement windows project, send us an email and ask away!
Step One: Choose A Frame Material
This is the one thing you should probably know before you go out and collect any bids. The good news is that 70% of all American consumers will do best with a good to great vinyl window. (Click to see my picks for the best vinyl windows here.)
Without getting into it too much here, quality vinyl windows provide the best mix of cost, energy efficiency, longevity, and maintenance requirements. They just don’t look all great – but I do have a solution for this problem.
Another 10% of consumers will go with fiberglass, which is somewhat more durable than vinyl, but 30% more expensive. This puts fiberglass windows out of the budget of many homeowners. The remainder of the market is split between wood windows (very expensive), composite (varied in cost) and aluminum (ideal for hot climates).
If you want to drill down on these window materials, have at it.
Step Two: Collect Some Bids
Most homeowners want to know how much is this going to cost them. That makes a lot of sense, especially given the price increases over the past two to three years.
(Our replacement window cost estimator to the right that can provide ballpark pricing.)
However, there are some serious limitations to project cost calculators. There are simply too many factors specific to your home / budget / location to provide a truly accurate project cost.
Luckily, local window companies provide free price quotes. However, this comes at a price – your time as you sit through these presentations. I happen to think it’s a more than a fair trade, but it does take the right perspective to see it like this.
(Our site can help you find 4 local project quotes – it’s how we monetize our site and in exchange we offer ongoing email support and expert advice until you find a great bid.)
Step Three: Compare The Bids
My recommendation is four to five bids. Four (or more) bids is a big enough data set to really compare the local market. Often, you will have seen four or more window brands during the bid process. This is important because buying a quality brand is very important. (The window industry is VERY WEIRD in that many consumers have never even heard of the top vinyl window brands…it’s so bizarre.)
I have a list of recommended brands for interested site users if you get in touch with me.
Here is what you are looking for: the best window at the best price from the best company. So the cumulative best from these three basic components. Some people score each of these to compare. It’s not always perfectly clean, but it’s a nice framework for comparison.
(We are happy to take a look at any of your bid summaries and weigh in on what we think is your best bet.)
Step Four: Negotiate
Many homeowners don’t care to negotiate their window bids and that’s fine – it doesn’t always work. But it often does, especially if you are flexible with your start time.
To boil it down to the simplest concept: ask your front runner company to match the price of your second or third bid. Then give them a week to get back to you. The average savings here is $1K (but it can be all over the board to be honest).
Step Four: Sign The Work Order
At this point, you have found the best brand and bid for your budget and timeline in the home. You are ready to sign the work order, comfortable in the fact that you put in the hard work up front. With any luck, you won’t have to deal with replacement windows for another 40 years!
