Do my windows have to be custom? Huge Estimate!

Hi,

We just bought house built in 1975. Original windows. We were told by the neighbors that it was custom built as the previous owners dream home It is a dream - from the 70's - but we see great potential.

The whole house needs windows/doors but that's too pricey right now so we're looking at getting 2 bedrooms and 1 bath done because they are already heating up in the TX heat. That makes 7 windows (about 3X6) and 2 patio doors. Andersen Renewal gave us an estimate of over 14K!

I'll admit we haven't done our home work. First of all, I have no idea who the reliable window companies are. Second, I'm not sure if our windows are standard or will have to be custom made. For instance, 5 of the windows needing replacement are just shy of 3 feet by just shy of 6 feet.

Also, the windows are less than 18" off the ground so we were told they had to be tempered glass.

Who are the other reliable companies? Are my windows standard? Whatever company I go with they need to be able to do the work in stages - probably over years (we have that many windows = $$$$) - so I want to know that matching windows will still be available.

Thanks,
April

 

try home depot, they have installers

 

April: You are correct in that the windows below 18" from finished floor height will have to be tempered. Without having exact measurements, it would be difficult to tell if replacements would be available. If Andersen Replacements came out, they should have measured and left you with a copy of the measurements.
Definitely get estimates from at least 3 dealers/installers, and check them out as far as past jobs go. Good installers should be working with several manufacturers in order to get the right windows at the right price for each job. Other manufacturers would include Marvin, Pella, Peachtree, JeldWen, and others.

 

how about modifying the opening to take a standard size ?

(maybe even get them high enough to avoid tempered )

 

Yes the others are right about getting different estimates. Plumbers estimated the same project in our house between $3500 and close to $20,000. From there we got recommendations from other homeowners (turned out the $3500 plumber came highly recommended and he is doing an awesome job). Another set of estimates we recently got for solar panels elicited wildly different efficiencies, outputs, and costs. Once again the lowest bidder is the one that came as a personal recommendation, but in the quoted potential outputs are so different we are getting even more bids. Skylights were the same experience. My point is ALWAYS get three or more bids, personal recommendations are best, and you WILL be surprised at how different the prices can be! If you are still unsure, get even more bids and recommendations. Make sure your contractor is bonded and insured and has a good warranty too.

Enjoy the seventies pad, avoid the texas heat, and good luck!

 

If you are replacing the whole window, frame and all, it will be EXPENSIVE. Renewal is a good product, but IMHO, a bit on the pricey side. As a Certainteed dealer, I obviously would recommend them for vinyl replacement windows. But I would avoid big box stores and Sears. Look for windows companies with a national, long term reputation. A lifetime warranty on a cheap window is useless if the company is gone in 5 yrs.
Nearly all replacement windows(fit to existing frames) are custom made, but not necessarily at a custom price.

 

April:

We just wentthroughthis process and are replaceing 23 windows and a padio door. Estimates range from $21,000 to $5,100!. We saw 6 companies and did a TON of research on the net. Check with your local Better Business Bureau and see how many claims they have against them and how many are un-solved if any. Ask for references, call them and ask them for more references. It is kida a pain in the neck but you will be spending a ton of money so do your own research. Finally, beware of the guys that pressure you to close that day.. we told them when they walked in the door we were not buying that day and most did not like it one bit, but too bad for them! Good luck!
Take care
Dan

 

Thank you all so much for the replies. We are now taking bids. It's tough - we have alot of work to do and having 3 bids per job means people running in and out all day + lots of calls.

I appreciate the posts.

April