Replacing Basement Windows - Need Advice!

[Nehkara]

Hello CP!

My family is looking at replacing our downstairs windows. They are original with the house... and the house is 41 years old. They leak heat like crazy in the winter and have no screens on them so if you open them in the summer you invite the mosquitos right inside.

Anyway, my mom priced out the windows themselves last year at about $133 per window. We have three windows downstairs that need replacing. That comes out to, obviously, $400.

We had a few places come and do estimates on what they would want for the windows and installation and our first two estimates were $3000. We find that ridiculous. They are small windows and we do not understand how it could cost $2600 in labour.

Can anyone suggest a place that could do the job at a reasonable price and still do it well?

Any thoughts would be very welcome.

Thanks!

[photon]

I think I've heard of people cutting a hole in the basement wall and installing a new window for less wow.

We had Lux windows do some custom made windows for us in a rental a few years ago, we installed ourselves, but I think the price installed was pretty reasonable if I recall.

[Top Shelf]

Try out Crystal Glass, the quote we got to replace our basement window was about 150 I think, all labor included

[Eddie Bronze]

The price they quoted you is, quite frankly, absurd. But it wouldn't be just for labour, at least not if they plan on doing it right.

There would be some materials needed to make sure they are sealed up properly so you don't end up with that same heat leakage problem because the window all by itself won't do it, but it wouldn't be a lot either.

I would definitely look around if I were you. I'm not in the business of doing this kind of work but I will tell you that when we install basement windows in a newly framed house it doesn't take more than a few minutes. There would obviously be more work on an already finished home, but that price in this economy is a good reason to find another option.

[cSpooge]

my parents just got a quote for our 3 basement windows from lux and it was something like 800 installed for all of them.

[csnarpy]

last winter we replace 2 small (30x30) windows and one really long one with 2 sliders in it. All triple pane. 1200 for the windows and 800 for the install.

[Bagor]

Just to throw in another job for a sorta reference.

We had 2 (60 x 42) and a (44 x 34) window, all crank replaced last fall. All 2nd floor.

Cost $2700.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

We had a few places come and do estimates on what they would want for the windows and installation and our first two estimates were $3000. We find that ridiculous. They are small windows and we do not understand how it could cost $2600 in labour.

You should ask them, how they justify that.

I was talking to a window place, and they said the install cost was about the price of the window, which I thought was way too high. Also when I mentioned I was making one smaller, they were going to charge me another $500. I told them I would screw together a couple of 2 X4 's myself and save $498.

I heard Lowes does it for $20/ sq. foot, which I think is a more reasonable charge.