Help with window costs in MN (vinyl, townhouse, Home Depot, windows)
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We have a brick townhouse, built in 1978, in Minnesota (MPLS area) that needs the original widows updated/replaced.
We had Home Depot give us an estimate on the brand Simonton 6500 series. Our 3 window sizes are the same, 48" x 60". They would be replacing everything and installing 100% everything new that is needed, including oak clamshell casings.
They are quoting us $1200.00 per window for removal, replacement & casing. They also give an unconditional lifetime warranty.
Is this an appropriate price for these windows installed. Has anyone had experience with Home Depot and the Simonton windows.
That sounds really high I think. I would call around to other companies. Andersen Windows has a replacement division and I know several people that have used them and have been happy. Pella or Marvin would also be options. These three window companies are headquartered near Minneapolis so that helps.
Simonton makes mid-grade windows. Home Depot is notrious for charging essentially list price for materials, taking on a fee as a "middleman" that adds no value, and then contracting with firms that hire unskilled installers that hack-up things leaving your home to leak like sieve / be structurally compromised...
Try to get recommendations from trusted neighbors that have had good experince with local contractors. Ideally someone you know has a background in construction / mechanicallynrelated fields and can say "I hired XYZ Siding & Remodeling, they used quality windows (wood clad with aluminum or other weather appropriate materials), their crews were professional, they meticulous tried to reuse all the interior trim, the weather sealed the exterior, they used appropriate tools and insulation techniques, I've had the windows for over a year (four full seasons) and the improvement in comfort / energy efficiency is noticeable -- recommended highly....".
Btw "clamshell" or "ranch" profile molding is BOTTOM OF THE LINE, few mills even bother making stain grade / species specific versions. If that is what you have (which is not hard to believe for a 33 year old townhouse...) you might give some thought to redoing / upgrading trim throughout. Good finish carpenters could probably do this 5x or more faster than you could, but with a little practice and a quality power miter saw and trim nailer this would be a nice DIY project...
If you can't get that kind of info I would probably stick with what you have got UNLESS the amount of visible detioriation on the exterior or interior of the window is so severe that the windows no longer are sound. Even then, depending on what your LONG TERM PLANS are for this townhouse I would be very reluctant to sink nearly $4000 into mid grade windows...
Low end vinyl windows might work well enough to quickly get this sold if you want to move soon. Higher grade windows might not make sense if you don't have installed by pros.
Last edited by chet everett; 07-22-2011 at 06:35 AM..
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