True. My strategy was to get multiple quotes and then politely let my preferred company know another had a slightly lower price. They matched it. 😁 It didn’t change the timeline but I felt good getting a fair price. As for timeline, they all were quoting roughly 3-4 months at that time (this was springtime, busy season). No one promised anything crazy fast, which made me trust them more actually.
Patience is definitely key from what I’m reading here. I haven't done mine yet, but I'm planning to. Initially I thought I could get new windows in like a month or so (naive me). Now I realize I should start the process well ahead of when I actually want them. Thinking of starting quotes this summer for a project I want done by end of year.
Good plan, @film495. I started later than I should have and was sweating bullets as hurricane season approached with my old windows still in place. I was praying a storm wouldn’t hit before my impact windows were installed.
Thankfully, we got them in late August just in time for the peak of the season. Next time (though hopefully I don't need to replace windows again for a long while), I'd start early in the year.
Did any of you guys do the project in phases? Like a few windows now, a few later? I'm considering splitting the cost over two years – half the windows this year, half next year. Not sure if that complicates things or if I should just wait and do all at once.
I debated splitting, but ended up doing all at once. If you split, you’ll likely pay for two permits, two mobilizations of the crew, etc. Also, if you do half now and half later, the windows might look or age slightly differently if they’re from different batches.
I figured it was more cost-effective in the long run to just bite the bullet. Some companies also give a better total price if you do everything at once versus piecemeal.
I did it in two phases due to budget constraints. It’s doable. I replaced the most critical windows (facing the wind/weather) first, and did the rest a year later.
It did cost a bit more in terms of two separate installs and permits, but that helped me spread out payments. If you do this, try to use the same company and same product line for both phases so they match. Mine kept the records from phase 1 and ordered the exact same window model for phase 2, so in the end it all looks consistent.
That’s a good tip, @elizabethhill590. If using the same company for both phases, they might be willing to lock in the price for you too, or at least not increase it too much. Mine mentioned they would honor the same quote within a year. Just make sure everything matches like you said.
Keep in mind if you wait too long between phases, product lines update. A friend of mine did half his windows, then waited 5 years (too long). When he went to do the rest, that original window series was discontinued, so the new ones, while similar, had slight design differences. Not a huge deal but if you look closely they’re not identical. So, if you’re splitting, try not to wait too many years between.
Has anyone had issues with permits or inspections failing? That part makes me a bit nervous. I trust the installer, but if something doesn’t pass inspection, does that mean a huge delay to fix?
For me, the inspection was smooth. The inspector just checked that the windows installed matched the permit and were sealed properly. If something does fail, usually it’s a minor fix and you get a re-inspection.
One of my windows had a missing screw on a bracket (installer oversight). The inspector noted it, the company came out the next day and fixed it, and then the inspector came back later that week. It delayed final sign-off by only a few days. I didn’t have to pay extra or anything—the company handled it.