@patricia_peak made some great points about lessons learned. I'll add a couple more tips from my experience:
Clarify the timeline in writing. In my case, the contract said 10-12 weeks for installation, but it ended up taking 16 weeks because of supply delays. It wasn't a huge problem, but I was getting anxious. If a company has any known delays (backordered glass, etc.), try to get an honest estimate up front.
Ask about additional costs explicitly. For example, my contract mentioned that any necessary stucco work beyond minor patching would cost extra. I asked about that ahead of time and they explained the scenarios. Luckily, I didn't need extra work, but it's good to know what could trigger more charges (like discovering termite damage or something when the old window comes out).
Communication is key: Choose a contractor that communicates well. I had one company that took a week to call me back for an estimate (red flag), whereas the one I went with answered questions promptly and kept me updated once I signed the contract. It made the process far less stressful.
In short, detail everything and work with people who keep you in the loop. Our project was 8 windows in a 1978 home in Tampa (older than early 2000s, but still Tampa Bay). Even though the house age is different, the advice applies universally.
For those debating impact vs. non-impact + shutters, I'll share my personal regret. I opted for non-impact windows with accordion shutters on my 2002 home in Largo (Pinellas County) to save around $5k. Don't get me wrong, the new windows themselves are great and much better than what I had. But when we had a hurricane scare last year, I absolutely hated dragging out and closing those accordion shutters on every window. It took time and was stressful in the lead-up to the storm.
Seeing my neighbors with impact windows just lock up and leave made me envious. 😅 If I had to do it again, I would seriously consider spending the extra money on impact glass for the sheer convenience and peace of mind. Also, the shutters, while easier than the old aluminum panels, still make the house so dark when they're closed and you can't really live comfortably with them up for more than a day or two.
On the flip side, going non-impact saved me a significant amount (my project was $10k vs ~$15k if I'd done impact, for 13 windows). So financially it made sense at the time. Just think about how much the hassle is worth to you. I'm living with my decision, but I do have a bit of buyer's remorse on not choosing impact.
My project was a bit smaller and different: I have a villa in Pasco (only 6 windows) but also had two big sliding glass doors (to a patio). The home was built in 2005. I replaced all 6 windows and both sliders. I went with impact for everything since I'm fairly close to the coast in New Port Richey.
Even though my project was smaller, I still went with a well-known local company, ProTech Windoors, to do the work. They didn't mind that it was only 6 windows and 2 doors – they gave me just as much attention as a big job. The total cost came to $16,000. The sliders were a big chunk of that (each 8-foot slider was around $3,500 installed), and the windows (mix of sizes) averaged about $1,000 each.
A few observations: The sliding doors now are hurricane-rated and way heavier duty than our old ones. We can actually open them with a finger despite the heft – the rollers are that smooth. The windows and doors all match in look (white vinyl frames) which freshened up our place. Installation took 2 days. They had to remove some stucco around the old sliders and then patch it, but when they were done you could hardly tell; I just painted over the patch and it blends in.
Going with impact everything did pay off in insurance savings for us (our insurer was going to drop us if we didn't upgrade some kind of opening protection anyway). And importantly, now we don't have to worry when we go out of town during hurricane season. Overall, even for a smaller home, doing the full window and door replacement with a trusted company was worth it.
I'm currently gathering quotes for my 2005 two-story home in Tampa Palms (Hillsborough). I have 15 windows total (9 downstairs, 6 upstairs). Here’s what I’ve got so far:
Window World: ~$9,300 for 15 vinyl windows, non-impact (double-pane). This was the lowest, about $620 per window. However, they are basic windows and the quote doesn't include things like painting touch-ups or fancy options.
Local Company A: $14,000 for 15 impact windows (vinyl). This company uses PGT windows. Price includes permit, installation, and stucco repair. (This was actually the ProTech Windoors quote – pretty reasonable for impact.)
Karoly Windows: (Coming next week for an estimate) – I've heard good things (as seen here too), so I'm anticipating their quote to compare.
I'm torn between going non-impact to save money versus impact for the long term. Also trying to weigh the reputations: Window World's price is great but I've heard mixed reviews about quality, while the local companies seem more trusted. If anyone has experience with Window World in Tampa or general advice on choosing between these, I'm all ears. Also, if you think the quotes above sound reasonable or not, let me know. This thread is super helpful so far!
@crafter11 Those quotes actually sound in line with what I'd expect. Roughly $600-700 per window for non-impact and around $900+ per window for impact for a full house job is pretty typical here in 2025. A few thoughts:
I used Karoly Windows & Doors for my project last year (12 windows, all impact) and they came in around the same ballpark as your ProTech quote. I was very satisfied with their work, so it's definitely worth seeing what they quote you. I suspect it will be similar or maybe slightly under $14k if it's impact, since your house sounds similar in scope to mine.
Window World can be enticing with the low price. They use decent but lower-end products and usually single-strength glass, etc. If you just need basic, no-frills windows and are tight on budget, they are an option. Just make sure you understand what is and isn't included. Sometimes their pricing doesn't include things like removing and reinstalling window trim or any surprises in the wall. And they typically use subcontractors for installation.
Between local company vs. Window World: I personally lean toward the company with the better reputation, even if it's more. Windows are a long-term investment. The fact that ProTech included stucco repair and permit in that $14k is a good sign (some companies upcharge for those).
So far, your numbers seem reasonable. I'd wait for Karoly's quote and then you'll have a good trio to compare. If all are close, go with the one you feel best about service and quality-wise. And if one is way off (either too high or suspiciously low), you'll know what "normal" is from the others.
I haven't seen much about financing yet in this thread, so I'll share my experience. I financed my full-home window replacement using the PACE program (Property Assessed Clean Energy) here in Florida. Basically, it's a financing that gets paid through your property taxes over time.
Pros: It was easy to get approved and I didn't have to put any money down up front. It allowed me to do a $18k project (impact windows for 10 windows + 1 slider in Pinellas) that I otherwise might have had to postpone. The payments are spread over 15 years as an addition to my tax bill, so it's fairly low per year.
Cons: The interest rate is relatively high (mine was around 6.5-7% when I signed). And if I sell the house, technically the remaining balance would need to be paid off (though in some cases the buyer can agree to take over, but that's not common). Also, because it's tied to taxes, you end up paying interest on the full amount even if you sell, unless negotiated otherwise.
In hindsight, I might have been better off with a home equity loan or a traditional financing through a bank at a lower rate. But at the time, PACE was convenient and quick. Many window contractors will point you to PACE or other financing partners if you ask. Just be sure to read the fine print and understand the true cost of financing.
One good thing: my windows are already installed and we’re enjoying them, rather than waiting years to save up the full cash amount.
@jakeguitarist Interesting about PACE. I considered PACE for solar panels once but didn't go through with it after hearing it can complicate selling the house (like you mentioned). Good to know it helped you get the windows done though.
Did any of the companies you got quotes from offer their own financing deals (like 0% for 12 months or something)? I keep hearing ads for "no interest financing" on windows. I'm a bit wary of those "same as cash" deals because sometimes the price is higher if you finance.
Anyway, I'm still deciding how to pay for my project, but these insights help. Might look into a credit union loan as another option since you mentioned that too.
@journalist63 We actually went with a 12-month no-interest financing that one of the window companies offered. In our case, the company had a deal with a lender (like Synchrony or Greensky) for 0% if paid in 12 months. We did notice the quote was about 5% higher if we opted for the financing versus a cash price (they didn't say it outright, but when we hinted at paying cash, they came down a bit). Still, it was worth it to us to use their money interest-free and just pay it off within the year.
So yes, those deals exist and can be useful, but always compare the "cash vs financed" price if you can.
We replaced 8 windows for $8,000 (non-impact, vinyl) on a single-story home in Brandon. We financed the whole amount with the 12-month plan. Paid it off with our tax refund and some savings before the 12 months were up, so zero interest in the end. It worked out great. Not everyone can or will pay it off in time, though, so be careful with those - after 12 months, the interest would have jumped a lot.
One other thing: even though it was financed, we still negotiated a little. We got them down about $500 from the initial quote by mentioning we had a slightly lower offer from another company. So don't be afraid to negotiate on price or ask for throw-ins (like maybe including an extra window sill repair or something).
I did my windows back in 2019 (not too long ago, early 2000s house in Seminole, Pinellas). I can speak to how they hold up and warranty service over time. We got 10 vinyl, double-pane non-impact windows (PGT brand) installed by ProTech Windoors (they seem to be popular here for good reason). It cost us $9,800 at the time.
Fast forward 5+ years: the windows still look and perform like new. No drafts, no seal failures (no fogging between panes). The vinyl hasn't yellowed or warped or anything. We do periodically clean and lubricate the tracks, but that's about it.
We had one minor issue: one of the windows wouldn't lock properly about a year in. We called up ProTech and they sent someone in a couple of weeks to adjust it. Turned out a small part in the lock mechanism was faulty; they replaced it under the warranty. It was hassle-free and no cost to us. That really impressed me, since some companies, once they have your money, are hard to get back for service. ProTech honored their warranty promptly.
So, in terms of long-term perspective, make sure whichever windows you choose have a good warranty and that the installer will stand behind it. Vinyl windows these days are usually lifetime warranty on the frame and like 20 years on the glass seals from the manufacturer. A good local installer will often cover labor for a certain period too (I think ours was 5 years labor coverage). Keep those documents, just in case. But hopefully, like in our case, you won't need to use them much.
Has anyone here tried to replace windows DIY (by yourself)? I'm pretty handy and have done doors and such, but windows seem tough with the permitting and all. I'm curious if it's even feasible to DIY to save on labor costs, or is it one of those things best left to the pros?
My house is one-story wood frame in Pasco. I figure wood frame might be easier than cutting into stucco/block, but still worried about getting it right (waterproofing, etc.). And pulling a homeowner permit might be a headache.