On the topic of saving money (legitimately) and not missing out: check for any rebates or tax credits when you do your windows. It's not exactly a "mistake" but a lot of people forget about it. When I replaced mine, I actually got a small rebate from my power company for installing Energy Star rated windows. And there was a federal tax credit that year for energy-efficient home improvements. I almost missed out until my accountant friend asked if I had done any.
So the takeaway: after your install, see if your utility or the government is offering incentives. It can help recoup a bit of the cost. The mistake would be not taking that free money 😉.
Something I messed up: I focused so much on windows that I forgot about my sliding glass door. My house has a big old slider to the patio that is just as drafty and hurricane-unsafe as the old windows were. I replaced all the windows and left the slider for "later" to save money. Well, later hasn't come yet and every storm season I regret not including it in the original project. Not to mention the new windows make that old door look even worse now by comparison (it's all cloudy and hard to slide, whereas the windows are crystal clear and smooth).
If you have other large openings like sliders or French doors, consider doing them along with the windows if you can swing it. It might be more cost upfront, but you get it all done in one go and under one permit. My mistake was kicking that can down the road – now I have to go through the whole process again for the door.
@guitarist20 I'm in the same boat regarding the patio slider! We replaced our windows and didn't replace the sliders at that time because of budget constraints. Now a year later, we're planning to do the sliders, and I'm realizing we have to pull permits again and schedule another installation crew, etc. Should've just bundled it. On the bright side, at least we were able to spread out the cost, but logistically, doing it all at once would have been smoother (and possibly cheaper overall).
So yeah, think about any other openings while you're at it. It might not be just windows that need upgrading.
I want to share a code-related oops we had: tempered glass requirements. We replaced a window in our bathroom that’s next to the bathtub. The contractor initially ordered a standard window for it. When the county inspector came to check, he flagged it because windows in a bathtub area are supposed to have tempered (safety) glass by code. Our installer had to swap that window out for the tempered version. It delayed that one window install by a couple weeks (and a second inspection).
It wasn’t a huge deal since our contractor handled it (and they admitted they should have caught it), but it’s a reminder that code requirements like that exist. If you’re doing windows DIY or with a less knowledgeable installer, missing something like that is a mistake that can cost time and money. So, know the code for things like egress sizes, tempered glass near showers/doors, etc., or make sure your contractor does.
Good point @dennis_rogue. In our case, we had a big picture window near our entry door that also had to be tempered due to its low height. Our contractor did plan for it from the start, but I remember him specifically mentioning it to us so we wouldn't wonder why that one window was a few hundred dollars more than others of the same size. It's little things like that where a knowledgeable installer earns their keep.
So for homeowners: be aware there are safety codes about where you need special glass. A seasoned pro will usually handle it, but it never hurts for you to know too (especially if pulling permits yourself).
This might be a silly question, but during the installation, did you all stay at home or leave the house? I work from home and I'm not sure if I should try to relocate for the day or two when they do the windows. I imagine it's loud and a bit chaotic. Is it a mistake to think I can just "work through it"? 😂
@charles_sage Haha, I also work from home and went through the window install. It is LOUD, no way around it. Between the drilling, banging, and occasional glass breaking (the old windows), I couldn't focus on work at all. I ended up taking a day off to be around and supervise a bit. If you can't take off, maybe work from a café or a friend's place those days.
On the plus side, being home meant I could answer the installers' occasional questions (like which outlet to use, or confirming we wanted a particular trim piece reinstalled). It also let me see the progress and feel involved. But doing serious work from home during it? Not really feasible in my experience. So plan accordingly.
@charles_sage I didn't stay home the whole time, but I did pop in and out. On day 1, I was there in the morning to get them set up, then I actually went to the office midday because the noise was too much. Came back later in the afternoon to check in. Day 2 I was around for the final wrap-up and inspection.
As long as you have someone (like yourself or a family member) who can be there at the start and end of each day, it's fine if you're not present every single minute. Just make sure the crew has a way to reach you by phone. Some people prefer to be there the whole time, but it's not strictly necessary as long as it's a trustworthy company. But yeah, trying to take conference calls with windows coming out... not a good idea 😅.
I'll add another lesson I got the hard way: nail down the timeline and expectations in writing. My project took much longer than initially promised. The salesperson said "Oh, 4-6 weeks, no problem." But that turned into 12 weeks. Part of it was manufacturing delays, which can happen, but part was also that they were juggling a lot of jobs. I didn't realize they might start and then pause to work on another site, etc.
The mistake I made was not having a clear schedule or timeline in the contract. We had a general estimated window (no pun intended) for install, but nothing about what would happen if it slipped. I also didn't communicate my own needs well – like I wanted it done before my in-laws came to visit, which didn't happen.
If I do it again, I'd make sure to discuss the schedule in detail with the project manager and get updates proactively. It's not about being pushy, just staying informed. Once I started calling for updates, I did notice they seemed to prioritize me more. So, pro tip: stay on top of your project timeline; don't assume it'll all go exactly as initially stated.
@rachelh71 That's good advice. I had a similar experience where the install got delayed a week because one of the windows was late arriving. Nobody called to tell me until the day before they were supposed to start, which messed up my time-off arrangements. After that, I made it a point to call them every few days for status checks. It felt a bit naggy, but hey, it's my house and a big investment, so I figured I have the right to be updated.
So I agree – keep the communication lines open about timeline and don't hesitate to ask for status. A reliable contractor should understand and not mind giving you updates. The mistake is being too passive and then getting caught by surprise by delays.