I got mine through ProTech Windoors and waited about 9 weeks from contract to install (pretty close to User23's timeline). As for price, I spent roughly $10k for 12 windows (mix of sizes) with hurricane glass. It averaged out to maybe $800-850 per window. I went with a slightly higher-end package (triple-pane on a few windows for soundproofing, which bumped it up a bit). But ProTech was transparent with the costs and options.
One tip: both Karoly and ProTech sometimes have seasonal promotions or discounts for forum members, so definitely ask if there's any current promo when you call them. I mentioned I found them through this forum, and they gave me a little something off.
Overall, you can see there's a consensus that Karoly Windows and ProTech Windoors are top-notch. They've earned great reputations here in Tampa Bay, and threads like this show why. 😊
I haven't sold my house yet either since installing new windows, but I can already tell it'll be a selling advantage when I do. One thing not mentioned much: the aesthetics. My house (in Apollo Beach) had old aluminum frames that were kind of ugly and starting to corrode (salt air, ugh).
After I put in new white vinyl windows, the place looked almost like it had a facelift. Even my neighbors commented on how new and clean the exterior looks now. That curb appeal boost alone has got to count for something when it hits the market. I imagine a buyer pulling up and seeing sparkling new windows will subconsciously value the home more.
I can confirm the curb appeal and marketability point. We sold our home in Valrico 6 months after doing a full window replacement. Our realtor had professional photos taken, and the new windows really stood out in the pics (in a good way). They made the house look newer.
The buyer who ended up purchasing told us during closing that they loved knowing the windows were only a few months old; it made them feel the home was "well cared for" and move-in ready. We got 4 offers in the first week on market. Prior to the window upgrade, when we had casually listed the year before, we got only lowball offers. The difference was night and day. Now, obviously the market conditions can change, but I'm convinced the windows played a significant role.
Something to add: having new windows can remove a potential negotiation point from picky buyers. When buyers see old windows, they might either ask you to replace them as part of the deal or ask for money off (like several folks described above).
In my recent sale (in Largo), I had already replaced all windows beforehand, so when one buyer tried to bring up window condition, it was a non-issue. My realtor was like, "Actually, all the windows are new as of last year, so no worries there," and that was the end of that. It was nice to have that covered and not be a sticking point.
Absolutely agree with @poet45. For anyone who does go through with window replacements, here's a tip for resale: save all your documentation and maybe even make a little info packet for potential buyers.
I'm kind of an organization nerd 😅, so when I sold my house, I handed the buyer a binder with the window warranty info, brochures that showed the energy efficiency ratings, and the permit paperwork showing it was done properly. The buyers LOVED that. It made them feel confident that the upgrade was legit and they had all the info for future reference. It's not required, but it's a nice touch that can set your home apart as very well-maintained.
Replying to @breezetraveler, I'll speak up for those in historic or older neighborhoods. I own a 1925 bungalow in South Tampa (Seminole Heights area) and we had to replace our old wood windows. We were hesitant because the historic vibe is important here.
We ended up choosing custom wood-framed windows that met the historic district guidelines (cost more than standard vinyl, unfortunately). Did it pay off? I believe so. Our home hasn't sold yet (we're not moving anytime soon), but several neighbors who did similar upgrades sold their bungalows quickly and at good prices. They advertised "new (2022) wood windows" which preserved the classic look but gave modern efficiency. So even in old neighborhoods, you can upgrade windows in a sensitive way and it still adds value without sacrificing charm.
I'm in unincorporated Hillsborough, @breezetraveler. And definitely remember, if you do install impact-rated windows, get that Wind Mitigation inspection updated. When I put in my impact windows, I had an inspector update my wind mit report, and I sent it to my insurance company. My insurance premium went down immediately because I now had one more protection against storms. This can be a selling point too — you can actually mention in listings or to buyers, "hurricane-rated windows = insurance discounts." It's a nice bonus for the next person.
Yep, I did the same and saw about a 20% reduction in my windstorm insurance portion of the premium. New owners will get that benefit too, assuming they insure the home similarly. Considering how high insurance rates are getting in Florida, this is not trivial! Buyers definitely factor in insurance costs when choosing a home nowadays. A house with newer roof and impact windows can literally save them thousands per year in insurance, which effectively increases what they can afford to pay for the house. That's another way to look at it.
A friend of mine is an appraiser here in Tampa, and I've picked his brain on this topic. He told me that while there's no line item on an appraisal saying "+X dollars for new windows," it influences the overall condition and quality rating of the home. Basically, if a house has new windows (and new roof, etc.), an appraiser may rate it as having more updates/upgrades, which can support a higher appraised value compared to an identical house with outdated components. So indirectly, yes, it helps in the appraisal math.
I'm so glad I found this thread. We're planning a window upgrade next spring before we put our house in Pinellas on the market, and reading all this has me feeling much more confident about the decision 😊. Thank you all for sharing these insights!