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How do installers price a custom frame color on a small order?
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Is the factory-applied custom finish usually priced per window, as a project upcharge, or with a minimum order charge? I’m curious how that changes when only a few openings need the nonstandard color.
When comparing quotes, does the finish premium get separated from the base window price, and can lead times or matching accessories such as trim and screens add to the cost? I’d compare the same frame material and finish coverage, but I’m not sure what’s typically included.
4 replies
One line I’d want on the quote is whether the custom color applies to the exterior only or to both sides of the frame. Does the price change if the interior stays the standard color? Is the finish coverage spelled out for each window?
A minimum can make the finish much pricier per window when only a few need the custom color. Is it a fixed setup fee, or a minimum billable quantity? Those work out differently as the number of custom-color windows changes.
A separate finish line makes it easier to compare the base window price with the color premium across quotes. Matching trim or screens can add cost if they also need a special finish. A longer lead time may affect the schedule, but it doesn’t by itself mean there’s a surcharge.
That may hinge on whether the minimum is per product type or per finish batch. I’d ask whether it applies to each window or to the overall order, since that changes how the minimum affects the per-window premium.
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