Checking in from Clearwater Beach. Our situation might be a bit unique, but I'll share for others near the coast. We live right by the water and replaced all our windows last year to meet the stricter coastal codes (wind zone requirements, etc.).
Our house is a two-story on stilts with big window openings to enjoy the view. We ended up using a brand called CGI (their aluminum impact windows) instead of vinyl because our window widths are large and the contractor recommended aluminum frames for strength in big spans.
We replaced 10 windows and one set of French doors:
The 10 windows (mix of fixed picture windows and horizontal sliders) came to about $20,000 total. The large picture windows (5 ft x 5 ft) were about $2,000 each (impact glass with a special tint to comply with turtle-friendly lighting codes on the beach). The smaller slider windows were around $1,200 each.
The impact French doors (for our balcony) were about $5,000 including installation.
So yeah, about $25k for everything. Definitely on the high end, but part of that was the special requirements (tinting, and the fact that aluminum impact windows cost more for those big sizes). We also had to have Miami-Dade certified products due to our wind exposure category, which CGI provides.
One thing I learned: coastal zones sometimes need additional features. In our case, the turtle tint (a bronze tint on the glass to reduce nighttime light spillage) added ~5% cost. And the permit process was strict – the inspector checked every window’s paperwork.
Anyway, probably not the typical case for most in Tampa Bay living inland, but if you’re near the water or have oversized windows, just be aware your costs can be significantly higher.
Hi all, I'm coming from a slightly different angle. I have a 1925 bungalow in the Hyde Park area of Tampa, and preserving the historic look was a big factor for us. We needed to replace our old wood windows (they were beautiful but drafty, and many had warped).
We got quotes from some of the companies mentioned here (PGT, Simonton through local installers), but we also looked at Renewal by Andersen because they offer a more traditional look with their Fibrex windows that mimic wood trim.
In the end, we actually went with Renewal by Andersen, despite the cost, because our home is in a historic district and we wanted the profiles and grids to look as close to the originals as possible. Here’s what we paid:
We did 15 double-hung windows (non-impact glass, but double pane with Low-E) with exterior aluminum cladding in black to match our trim, and wood interiors that we painted to match our interior trim.
Total cost was about $30,000. Yes, it was painful on the wallet. This included everything (they handled permits, installation, finishing, etc.). Per window it averaged around $2k. We did take their 0% financing for 12 months to ease the hit.
We also got a quote for PGT vinyl impact windows for comparison, which was about $18,000 for a similar count, but the look just wasn’t the same (thicker frames, vinyl appearance).
I realize our priorities were different – we were willing to pay more for the aesthetic and because our neighborhood has a lot of scrutiny on exterior changes. For most folks who just want good hurricane windows, paying that much probably isn’t worth it.
That said, the RBA guys did have top-notch service. Installation was smooth, and when one sash had a slight cosmetic defect, they replaced it quickly. The windows do look great and our energy bill dropped too (old single panes were like having holes in the wall).
So, not the budget-friendly route, but I figured I’d share since cost & quotes vary widely depending on what your goals are. If someone’s in a historic home situation or really cares about the look, you might end up considering the high-end options like we did.
Just to add in another comparison: I got quotes from a big box store versus a local contractor. I'm in Largo (Pinellas). I tried Home Depot's installation service for window replacements out of curiosity, and also got a quote from an independent window installer.
Home Depot (through their service): They were offering Simonton StormBreaker impact windows. My house has 6 windows. The quote came back at $7,200 for all 6 (averaging $1,200 each). This included installation, but they sub-contract to a local installer anyway. Lead time was quoted around 12 weeks since Simonton would ship windows to them.
Local independent installer: He offered to install PGT or Simonton (my choice). For essentially the same Simonton windows, his quote was $5,800 for all 6 (about $967 each). He had lower overhead, I guess. Permitting (City of Largo) was $200 and was included in both quotes.
I ended up going with the local independent installer, saved about $1,400. The install went fine and passed inspection with no issues. I have nothing against Home Depot/Lowe’s services, but it seems you're paying a premium for the convenience of going through the store. In my case it was the exact same window brand and actually the same installer who does jobs for HD on contract! (Found that out during conversation).
So yeah, definitely get a quote from a smaller local company or two – you might get a better price for the same product.
@dukep90 Thank you for the detailed answers! That clears up my questions. Sounds like Low-E is a must-have (I won’t skip it), and I’ll brace for about 2 months wait once I place an order. Also good to know about warranties – I’ll be sure to ask each company what their labor warranty is.
This thread has been so helpful. Appreciate everyone’s input!
I replaced my windows back in 2018 (in Palm Harbor, Pinellas) and wow, seeing these prices today is eye-opening. We did 10 windows (mix of single-hung and a couple small sliders) all non-impact double-pane. We paid $6,800 total back then with a local company (windows were by PGT but the non-impact series). That was roughly $680 per window average, including installation and permits.
Granted, those were non-impact and it was a few years ago before some of the supply chain and inflation issues. Sounds like now the same might run closer to
8k−
8k−
9k for non-impact or $10k+ for impact. Just wanted to throw in an older data point.
One thing that hasn't changed: make sure to get that final inspection and the paperwork (especially if impact, to get your wind mitigation credits on insurance). I sold that house last year and the buyers did ask for proof that the windows were permitted and impact-rated. Luckily I had all that on file.
Even a few years ago, I remember the quote range was huge depending on the company. Smaller local guy gave me $6.8k, while a larger window company (I think it was Absolute Windows) quoted around $9k for the same job. So shopping around paid off.
Anyway, good luck to everyone getting it done now – seems like prices have gone up, but the tips in this thread should help people save where they can.
One more thing to toss into the mix regarding costs – see if there are any programs or rebates that can help. For example, Florida has (or had) the "My Safe Florida Home" program that sometimes provides grants for wind mitigation improvements (impact windows, shutters, etc.). I know a neighbor of mine got a few thousand dollars offset for their impact windows through a state program last year. These programs can come and go depending on funding, but it's worth looking into.
Also, some utility companies or local governments offer energy efficiency rebates if you install efficient windows (Low-E, etc.). It's not huge, but I remember getting a $50 credit from TECO for upgrading to energy-efficient windows.
And of course, don't forget the insurance discounts once you have verified impact protection on all openings. After I upgraded my windows and doors to impact, my home insurance windstorm premium went down by about 15%. Over a few years that savings can help recoup some of the window cost.
It’s not immediate savings on the install price, but these factors can make the overall investment a bit more affordable in the long run, so thought I'd mention it.
I'm so glad I found this thread. I've gotten a couple quotes as well (I'm in Brandon, Hillsborough County). Quick question for the group: Is a permit always required for window replacement?
One of the contractors I got a quote from said since it's "like-for-like replacement" (same size windows, not changing the opening) he could do it without pulling a permit and knock about $500 off the price. That sounded fishy to me. Another company said absolutely they would pull permits as required by the county.
I'm leaning towards the legit permitted route, but just curious if anyone else encountered a company suggesting no permit to save cost? It seems risky to me (I want the work inspected and definitely want the insurance credit for impact windows).
Any thoughts?
@aaronsage781 - Permits for window replacements are definitely required in our area (and most of Florida) when you're doing more than just replacing glass. If you're putting in new windows, especially impact windows, you 100% want a permit and inspection. The "like-for-like, no permit" suggestion is a red flag.
Even if the size isn't changing, windows are considered part of the building envelope and affect hurricane protection. Hillsborough County (and city jurisdictions like Tampa, etc.) require permits for window/door replacements. If a contractor is willing to skip that, I'd be worried about what else they'd cut corners on.
Beyond legality, as you mentioned, you want the documentation for insurance. After your installation, you (or your insurance inspector) will need the permit paperwork or product approvals to prove you have impact-rated windows for discounts.
I’d say go with the contractor who follows the rules. The $500 savings isn't worth the potential headaches (fines, failed insurance claims, or issues when selling the house later).
Always insist on permits – it protects you as the homeowner.
Not much to add except thanks to everyone who's contributed. I'm in the early stages of planning a window project in Pinellas, and this thread has been gold. I've learned more here than from days of googling. Keep the experiences coming!
@guitarist20 Thank you! That confirms my gut feeling. I'll definitely go with a company that pulls permits. I appreciate it!