Slightly tangential: Did you negotiate terms like payment schedule? One of my contractors wants 50% up front, 50% upon completion. Another wanted 1/3 now, 1/3 on delivery of windows, 1/3 after install. I’m a little nervous about big deposits.
I tried to ask for less down (like 20% up front) with one, and they said they need 50% to order the windows (because custom windows are not returnable, etc.). Is that standard? I ended up doing 50/50 and it was fine.
Just wanted to see if others had any luck adjusting those terms or if that’s usually pretty fixed.
@jeffp59 Most window companies do ask for a sizable deposit because they have to purchase the windows custom for you. 50% is quite common. 1/3 now, 1/3 on delivery, 1/3 on completion is also fair.
It’s always a bit of a trust thing. If it’s a reputable company, 50% is normal. If it’s a guy you found on Craigslist, I'd be more wary.
I didn’t really negotiate payment terms in my case – I accepted the 1/3rd arrangement. Some people try escrow accounts or credit card payments for protection, but that can be a whole thing.
If you feel uneasy, you could perhaps negotiate something like only a small amount until you see the windows have arrived at their shop, then pay more. But again, companies have their policies.
I’d say it’s less likely to get flexibility on that compared to price or scope. They need cash flow to get your job going. Just make sure the contract is clear and that final payment is after you’re satisfied with the work. That’s the key bit of leverage – don’t pay it all until everything’s done right.
I know I’m just echoing others at this point, but I am so grateful for this thread. It turned what would have been a stressful, confusing process into something I could tackle with confidence.
I just wanted to say that seeing regular homeowners helping each other like this is really awesome. 😊
To anyone just finding this now: read it all, take notes, and you’ll be in great shape. Good luck with your windows!
One more tidbit: I managed to get a small discount by agreeing to be a reference project for the company. They asked if they'd be allowed to bring other prospective clients to see my windows or give out my number for reference. I’m usually a private person, but I was happy with their work so I said yes. They knocked off a few hundred for that goodwill gesture.
They also took some nice photos of my house/windows for their portfolio (I didn’t mind). So essentially, I let them use my project as a showcase, and I got a better price.
This might not be for everyone, but if you’re comfortable with it, it’s a negotiation angle: offer to be a positive reference in exchange for a bit off the price.
@builder55 That’s a great idea. I had one company mention a yard sign discount – like if I let them put a sign on my lawn for a month after installation, they'd give me 5% off. I thought that was kind of amusing, but hey, advertising isn’t free and they were willing to pay for it in the form of a discount.
I didn’t end up using them, but if I had, I would have taken that deal. 5% for a sign in my yard is fine with me!
So yeah, there are creative ways to get a little extra off if you’re open to helping them get more business.
Alright, I’m about to finalize with a contractor tomorrow. Thanks to all the wisdom here, I double-checked that the quote covers everything (even the tiny details). I plan to politely nudge one more time on the price – I have one competing quote I can wave as motivation. Wish me luck!
Feeling pretty good about it overall. I think I know more about windows and quotes now than I ever thought I would (or maybe wanted to 😆). But it’s paying off.
(Update) We just signed the contract! I did manage to get another $500 off in the final negotiation. 🎉 I basically showed them a comparable quote and nicely asked if they could match it, and they did. Also got them to include one minor thing (they will re-install my window blinds after, which they initially said was homeowner responsibility).
I’m really happy with the final price now and excited to get the new windows installed in a few weeks.
Huge thanks once again to everyone here – went into that meeting feeling empowered, not anxious.
@cexplorer35 It’s been a little while since you started this thread, and it’s become huge! Soooo... what did you end up deciding? 😁 We’re all curious to hear which quote you chose and how it went.
This thread really took on a life of its own, but we gotta know your final outcome!
Final Update: Wow, what a journey! This thread grew way beyond what I expected, and I’m so grateful for all the input.
I’m happy to report that I did make a decision and the windows have been installed! 🎉 I ended up choosing the regional company that offered the Marvin fiberglass windows (the third quote I mentioned earlier). Initially they were around $19k, but after some back-and-forth (and showing them the lower vinyl quote), they brought it down to about $17k and included a couple of freebies (upgraded screens and a longer labor warranty).
Here’s how it played out:
Hidden costs tackled: Thanks to everyone’s advice, I made sure everything was in writing. Permit fee, disposal of old windows, exterior capping, interior trim work – all explicitly included. In the end, there were no surprise charges. The only extra I paid was for a bit of rot repair on one sill ($200) which we had anticipated as a possibility.
Negotiation wins: In total, I got about $2,000 off the initial quote (a bit over 10% reduction) plus those upgrades. I achieved this by leveraging the other quotes and being very open with my preferred company that I’d sign with them if they could meet me on price. They really wanted the job, and it worked out.
Installation: Went smoothly! The crew was professional, and because everything was spelled out, they knew to do things like put up new interior trim where needed and haul away all the old materials. I even had them put in writing that they'd reinstall my blinds (learned from @jroberts86 and others), and they did it without complaint.
Quality & Outcome: The Marvin fiberglass windows look fantastic. We can already feel the difference in insulation. I feel we got a high-quality product and a fair price in the end – the best value for our situation.
Lessons Learned (for me and anyone reading):
Get multiple detailed quotes: Absolutely the way to go. Without the 4 quotes I gathered, I wouldn’t have known what was reasonable or negotiable.
Scrutinize what’s included: I made a checklist (permit, removal, trim, paint, etc.) and made sure each company addressed each item. No assumptions!
Negotiate confidently but respectfully: Every company I talked to was willing to discuss pricing or throw in something. Some moved more than others, but all expected some haggling. It truly is part of the process.
Value matters: We didn’t go with the absolute lowest dollar amount; we went with the company that offered the best combination of quality, reputation, and price. And I feel really good about that decision.
Finally, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone here. This thread became like a masterclass in window replacement costs and negotiations. I hope it stays around to help others in the future. I know I couldn’t have done this as effectively without all of your stories and advice. 🙏
Good luck to all future window shoppers – you've got a wealth of knowledge here. And my windows and I salute you! 🙂