Hi @jmartinez67, welcome. Your scenario is actually similar to what I had (I also had shutters and debated impact vs non-impact). The ~$3.4k difference for 8 windows is roughly an extra $425 per window to upgrade to impact, which sounds about right.
If money is tight and you already have functional shutters, you could stick with non-impact and save that money. You’ll still be protected during hurricanes as long as you put up the shutters. The main benefits you’d miss out on are: convenience (not having to put up shutters), possibly some insurance discount (check with your insurer how much more you’d save if you had impact vs just shutters; sometimes it’s not much additional if you already get credit for shutters), and the noise reduction/safety benefits of laminated impact glass.
On the flip side, $5.8k for 8 non-impact windows is a pretty good price, almost too good. Make sure that smaller company is reputable, uses good quality windows (ask what brand of window they’re installing), and will pull permits, etc. A super low quote can be a red flag if corners are being cut. The larger company at $9.2k for impact sounds plausible for a known brand product and a company with overhead.
You might consider getting a third quote to see if the non-impact price is consistently around that range or if that one is unusually low. Sometimes very small operators can offer lower prices but just be sure they do quality work (maybe search for reviews on them).
Bottom line: It’s a personal decision. Many here (including me) love the peace of mind of impact windows, but if you’re comfortable with shutters and want to save money, non-impact will do the job. Just weigh the convenience vs cost.
Either way, definitely use a licensed and insured company. Don’t go too cheap to where quality suffers. If that Facebook company checks out with good references, you might have lucked out on a low price. Just verify everything.
Just to add to @charliebaker’s point about low quotes: My neighbor went with an unlicensed handyman (long story) who gave a dirt-cheap quote on window replacements. It did not end well – the work failed inspection and he had a hard time getting the guy back to fix it. He eventually had to hire another company to finish properly. So, I’d just echo: if something seems too low, make absolutely sure the company is legit.
$5.8k for 8 windows isn’t impossibly low, but it’s on the cheaper end for sure (about $725 per window installed). It could be fine if they have low overhead or perhaps they’re using a less pricey window manufacturer. Like @charliebaker said, find out what window brand they’re offering and do a little research on it. And check that they’ll pull a permit and get inspections done. If they hesitate on that, big red flag.
Better to pay a bit more for someone you trust than save a couple grand and get a headache.
Not to derail from Tampa, but for comparison: I’m in Broward County (South Florida). Here the codes are a bit stricter (HVHZ zone), and prices tend to be slightly higher I think. I paid about $20k for 10 windows and 2 sliders all impact last year. The same project in Tampa might have been a bit less because some products that can be used in non-HVHZ areas can be a tad cheaper. In Miami/Broward, we often have to use Miami-Dade approved products specifically.
That said, the brands like PGT and CWS make windows that meet those standards, it just sometimes limits your choices or adds cost. For example, I wanted a particular sliding door model but had to upgrade to one that was rated for HVHZ, which was more expensive.
So if anyone reading this is outside Tampa Bay and in a higher wind zone, keep in mind your costs might be 10-20% higher than what folks here are quoting. But the process/considerations are otherwise similar.
Wow, what a fantastic thread. This has been super helpful. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone – following along as I plan my own project!
One question I have: do the new impact windows really reduce outside noise that much? We live near a busy road and the noise is a big issue. I’m hoping new windows will help, but is it a noticeable difference?
Absolutely @yoga674 – as mentioned by some folks above, the noise reduction with impact windows can be dramatic. I got mine and it’s like night and day. The laminated glass in impact windows acts as a sound dampener. Even non-impact double-pane windows will help versus old single-pane. If noise is a big concern, you’ll definitely be happier with modern windows (impact especially). In my house, I’d estimate traffic noise is cut at least in half after window replacement.
Is there a best time of year to get windows installed or to find deals? Like do companies run off-season discounts or anything? I’m not in a rush, wondering if I wait until, say, winter, would prices be any better or lead times shorter?
Good question @josephfrost990. In my experience, pricing doesn’t fluctuate too much seasonally, but some companies do promotions in the slower months (winter/early spring). Summer through fall can be busy because of hurricane season urgency. I actually got a small discount by signing in December when one company had a year-end special to keep crews busy. It wasn’t huge (like 5% off), but hey, it helped cover permit fees. Lead times might be a bit better outside of peak hurricane season too, but window manufacturing is pretty constant year-round.
I’d say if you have the luxury of timing, getting quotes in the winter might yield a deal or two. But don’t count on massive differences. More importantly, schedule installation when weather is cooler/drier if possible, just for comfort (installers appreciate it too!). But they install year-round here without issues.
Has anyone here done their window project in stages? I can’t afford to do all my windows at once, so I’m considering doing the front of the house this year and the back next year. Is that a bad idea? Will it cost more in the long run (two permits, etc.) or is it okay to split it up?
I ended up splitting my window project into two phases due to budget. Did half of them last year and will do the rest eventually. It’s doable, but there are a few things to consider:
You’ll likely pay a bit more in total because of economies of scale. Two permits (double permit fees basically) and the crew mobilizing twice. Some companies gave me quotes that were slightly higher per window for doing fewer at a time.
If you split across more than a year, keep in mind window prices tend to creep up over time, so phase 2 might cost more if material prices rise.
Aesthetic mismatch: if you care about the look, your house will have two different sets of windows for a while. In my case, the new ones were obviously different (frame color slightly different white, and of course thicker frames vs old ones). It didn’t bother me much, but my wife joked that half the house had “nice eyes” and the other half had “old eyes” until we complete it 😂.
If you have shutters and doing impact in phases, be aware of how that affects your storm prep. Like you might still need to put up shutters on the old windows until all are impact.
If you can swing it, it’s ideal to do it all at once, but if not, splitting is fine. I’d suggest at least do one entire side of the house or certain rooms so you benefit from those improvements in those areas. And use the same manufacturer for both phases if you can, so they match and you can maybe piggyback warranty/parts if needed.
Also, maybe negotiate with the window company: sometimes they’ll let you lock in a price for phase 2 if you commit to doing it with them next year, or they'll give you a slight discount on phase 2 as a repeat customer. Can’t hurt to ask.