Hurricane shutter estimate question (2014, insurance, credit)

[sofla_diyer]

I'm considering making an offer on a home that does not have hurricane shutters. My father-in-law said shutters and installation run about $15K, which I think sounds very high. I used a calculator for a local business (Florida Hurricane Shutters Cost Calculator - Florida Hurricane Shutters) that estimates shutters and installation and it came to around $3500. Is that estimate misleadingly low, or is my FIL way off base? I realize the cost varies considerably based on the number of windows/doors but I'm basing my estimate off my current house and that amount still seems low to me.

Edit: I'm looking into basic metal shutters, not accordion or anything else.

[BVG_Steve]

$15K is way out of line,

basic rule of thumb is below installed prices

Panels = $10.00 sq ft

Accordion = $25 sq ft

So average window panels would be $200

Sliding glass door $500

So assuming 2 SGD and 16 windows you are looking at $4200

Your father in-law may have gotten taken to the cleaners, happens all the time

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by sofla_diyer

I'm considering making an offer on a home that does not have hurricane shutters. My father-in-law said shutters and installation run about $15K, which I think sounds very high. I used a calculator for a local business (Florida Hurricane Shutters Cost Calculator - Florida Hurricane Shutters) that estimates shutters and installation and it came to around $3500. Is that estimate misleadingly low, or is my FIL way off base? I realize the cost varies considerably based on the number of windows/doors but I'm basing my estimate off my current house and that amount still seems low to me.

Edit: I'm looking into basic metal shutters, not accordion or anything else.

For insurance reasons, you no longer get a break on your insurance for shutters. Companies only count high impact windows.

[boston904]

Originally Posted by blueherons

For insurance reasons, you no longer get a break on your insurance for shutters. Companies only count high impact windows.

That is not true. We have metal shutters and they are treated as if we had hurricane windows with our insurer

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by boston904

That is not true. We have metal shutters and they are treated as if we had hurricane windows with our insurer

Check with your insurer (or maybe not if it will take away the discount).

I just took a class from the Florida Insurance Council and one of the changes to the law is you no longer get a discount with hurricane shutters. Only impact resistant windows.

[BVG_Steve]

Originally Posted by blueherons

Check with your insurer (or maybe not if it will take away the discount).

I just took a class from the Florida Insurance Council and one of the changes to the law is you no longer get a discount with hurricane shutters. Only impact resistant windows.

are you sure this is not for new construction? I own 8 homes all get a discount with various insurers for shutters over not having shutters. I would not doubt any new construction ie 2014 and beyond may require impact windows for insurance discount.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by BVG_Steve

are you sure this is not for new construction? I own 8 homes all get a discount with various insurers for shutters over not having shutters. I would not doubt any new construction ie 2014 and beyond may require impact windows for insurance discount.

No, what I was told for any buildings that any new policies written in Florida you no longer get a discount for hurricane shutters. It doesn't matter the age of the home.

It may still apply for existing policies.

[hdaddy]

Insurance agent here, opening protection credit is still available on policies. You get the credit if ALL openings have protection. This includes doors, windows, skylights, garage doors, etc... all must be impact or have rated protection.

[BVG_Steve]

thanks for the clarification hdaddy, I thought the conflicting info was wrong