[AdRock]

We're replacing all the windows in the house and don't have a huge budget. Only 8 windows. It's a 50's ranch style house and all windows are in brick on the sides & bottom.

Location. San Antonio. South Texas.

So far the only quote I've gotten is from Lowes (YES, I know, I'll get a berating for that). Anyways. The quote I got was for the Pella Thermastar vinyl replacements. Single Hung, low E, Argon that qualifies for the tax credit. Total for all 8 windows was $2800 out the door. I have a contractor that I trust that'll be installing them. So after the install it'll only be $3600 out of pocket.

My question is... If you were me what other companies would you look at for an equal or better window for the same price?

I'm looking to place an order in the next week because the remodel is moving a little quicker than I expected and I don't want down time.

 

[wrangler]

I used to install for a company called Window World. They had a quality window with great prices (due to the power of franchise buying through Alside). They have a lifetime warranty as well. Not sure what the prices are for the San Antonio franchise, but I would at least give them a call and get a qoute. I would bet you could upgrade to double hung and still save about $1000.

 

[AdRock]

Looks like we'll be going with the 4000 series from Window World. All double hung and qualify for the energy rebates so we'll get 30% of the cost back at tax time next year. It's going to be $3900 installed for them all with the lifetime warranty.

I also let the guy know that if he uses subcontractors that whoever does my house better not show up with a bunch of day laborers or I will turn them away. I also let him know that my contractor will be here with me and we will be going over their work with a fine tooth comb as it's done. I'm not taking any chances. The sales guy is well aware that I'm going to be very anal about things and that they better be right the first time and that I won't settle for anything less.

 

[manofmany]

Looks like we'll be going with the 4000 series from Window World. All double hung and qualify for the energy rebates so we'll get 30% of the cost back at tax time next year. It's going to be $3900 installed for them all with the lifetime warranty.

I also let the guy know that if he uses subcontractors that whoever does my house better not show up with a bunch of day laborers or I will turn them away. I also let him know that my contractor will be here with me and we will be going over their work with a fine tooth comb as it's done. I'm not taking any chances. The sales guy is well aware that I'm going to be very anal about things and that they better be right the first time and that I won't settle for anything less.

I'd be wary of anyone who is going to install 8 windows for $800. Sounds like you may be getting "day laborers."

I and one other guy do replacement window and door subbing and charge $350 per window, $500 per entry/patio door. On top of that the company we sub for charges an additional $350/$500.

$800 just seems awfully low, granted they are vinyl windows. Good luck!

 

[AdRock]

Thanks. The price for the install actually comes out to around $1200-1300 because it includes the cost of pulling out the aluminum windows.

I've seen good things said about the windows so I'm not worried there. And like I said, my contractor will be here and we'll be watching everything that is done. We're not going to let anything get by no matter who does the install. I made my concerns known the to the guy and he knows we're going to be sticklers about it all.

 

[AdRock]

Well, half down has been put on the windows.

The guy came by today and got all the measurements. Real nice guy and was more than happuy to answer all my questions and explain anything I had concerns about. He also informed me that The Window World here in San Antonio does not use subcontractors like Home Depot or Lowes. I was about to ask him that and he made a point to tell me that before I even said anything about it. Just wanted to post that up here in case someone thinking about calling them had the same concern.

 

[EmilyP]

Well, half down has been put on the windows.

The guy came by today and got all the measurements. Real nice guy and was more than happuy to answer all my questions and explain anything I had concerns about. He also informed me that The Window World here in San Antonio does not use subcontractors like Home Depot or Lowes. I was about to ask him that and he made a point to tell me that before I even said anything about it. Just wanted to post that up here in case someone thinking about calling them had the same concern.

Yo!! dont waste your time on Pella Thremastar-they are junk vinyl- they use double sided tape to hold the glass sash too the vinyl...wep holes on the bottom draws bugs... what Pella Thremastar - run -you getting hoodwinkled - Simonton-Great lakes - Allside- but not theat Pella stuff... Plus they look like the bottom of my socks -dirty white/yellow/brown color vinyl yuck

 

[framer52]

Yo!! dont waste your time on Pella Thremastar-they are junk vinyl- they use double sided tape to hold the glass sash too the vinyl...wep holes on the bottom draws bugs... what Pella Thremastar - run -you getting hoodwinkled - Simonton-Great lakes - Allside- but not theat Pella stuff... Plus they look like the bottom of my socks -dirty white/yellow/brown color vinyl yuck

The Pella weas from Lowes, they already made the purchase fom a competitor.
By the way, I have simular fealings about Pella. Around here service is the big issue!:no:

 

[wrangler]

I'd be wary of anyone who is going to install 8 windows for $800. Sounds like you may be getting "day laborers."

I and one other guy do replacement window and door subbing and charge $350 per window, $500 per entry/patio door. On top of that the company we sub for charges an additional $350/$500.

$800 just seems awfully low, granted they are vinyl windows. Good luck!

Not sure where you are located, but I can't imagine anyone getting that amount of money for residential window installs... at least not here in NW Fla. Granted, this area is definitely on the lower side of the economic scale, but as I stated earlier, I used to install for WW and we were paid $50 for a standard window install. Even then, at that I sometimes felt like I was stealing... making $100+ an hour for window installs. That said, yes, it was on the low end of the rate scale for window installation, even here in NW Fla, but I was getting 70+ windows per week, so it was not a bad living, especially when you consider that the more windows you do, the more knowledge you gain and the quicker the install. For example, got steel casement replacements down to 45 mins from start to finish, aluminum in 30 and wood sashes in 15 unless it also had to be wrapped/capped. As for standard patio and entry doors, $150-225.
Recently here in Fla, the codes changed that now require either hurricane windows(alot more screws), or double pane with a hurricane shutter/protection system installed at the same time which requires more labor/time and thus a bit more cost for install.
I'm not berating you for what you can earn for the installs in your area, just pointing out that the rate he is being charged is not only going to attract 'day laborers' if that franchise also has well trained installers who are making a good living in this depressed economy.

 

[framer52]

Not sure where you are located, but I can't imagine anyone getting that amount of money for residential window installs... at least not here in NW Fla. Granted, this area is definitely on the lower side of the economic scale, but as I stated earlier, I used to install for WW and we were paid $50 for a standard window install. Even then, at that I sometimes felt like I was stealing... making $100+ an hour for window installs. That said, yes, it was on the low end of the rate scale for window installation, even here in NW Fla, but I was getting 70+ windows per week, so it was not a bad living, especially when you consider that the more windows you do, the more knowledge you gain and the quicker the install. For example, got steel casement replacements down to 45 mins from start to finish, aluminum in 30 and wood sashes in 15 unless it also had to be wrapped/capped. As for standard patio and entry doors, $150-225.
Recently here in Fla, the codes changed that now require either hurricane windows(alot more screws), or double pane with a hurricane shutter/protection system installed at the same time which requires more labor/time and thus a bit more cost for install.
I'm not berating you for what you can earn for the installs in your area, just pointing out that the rate he is being charged is not only going to attract 'day laborers' if that franchise also has well trained installers who are making a good living in this depressed economy.

Good answer. I was wondering about that post as well.
I think that person may be confusing prime window installation with replacement window installation!:yes: