Window installation costs can bump up the price of window replacement quite a bit. But there are a few ways homeowners can reduce the total costs of replacing outdated windows in their homes.
What Contributes to the Cost of Installing Windows?
Window contractors make money in one of two ways: marking up the windows they sell to you and charging you for window installation. Window installation cost vary greatly, depending on the type of window you order. For instance, vinyl and aluminum framed windows are less expensive than wood windows. Also, if you replace the entire window package, including the window frame, the window contractor must remove exterior trim, siding, vapor barrier, and interior casings--a significant and costly task for each new window. This is especially true for stucco homes, because the exterior stucco must be cut and then patched after extracting and replacing the old window.
Trimming the Cost of Window Installation
Three ways to save money on window installation:
For more helpful information about windows, check out the Window FAQ page.
What Contributes to the Cost of Installing Windows?
Window contractors make money in one of two ways: marking up the windows they sell to you and charging you for window installation. Window installation cost vary greatly, depending on the type of window you order. For instance, vinyl and aluminum framed windows are less expensive than wood windows. Also, if you replace the entire window package, including the window frame, the window contractor must remove exterior trim, siding, vapor barrier, and interior casings--a significant and costly task for each new window. This is especially true for stucco homes, because the exterior stucco must be cut and then patched after extracting and replacing the old window.
Trimming the Cost of Window Installation
Three ways to save money on window installation:
- Window inserts. Inserts fit inside the existing window frame and have become popular for window replacement because there's only a fraction of the labor involved. By re-using the old frame, window installation costs are much less.
- Self-perform labor. Another way to defer cost of window installation is to expose the old window yourself by removing exterior trim and siding. A good window contractor should be able to cut removal costs out of his bid. Since waterproofing is so crucial in any climate, it might be best to let the contractor re-install the vapor barrier, trim, and siding, however.
- Tax credit for new windows. Through December 31, 2010, homeowners can be reimbursed for 30 percent of costs up to $1,500 if they purchase new energy-efficient windows. This tax reimbursement, provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, can help defer the expense of buying and installing new windows. The federal tax credit does not cover window installation costs, but rather the windows themselves.
For more helpful information about windows, check out the Window FAQ page.
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