@patricia_peak That breakdown is super helpful, thanks! It's interesting to see the labor vs material costs. I'm in the waiting phase right now. We signed a contract in January and our install is slated for late April (so about 12-13 weeks lead time). Ours are custom sizes too. The wait is probably the hardest part, haha. 🕒
Wow, lots of great info here — thank you all! I'm taking notes on all these pointers (and I'll definitely make sure everything is in writing, @rwilson45 and others). A few things I'm going to double-check with the quotes I'm getting, thanks to you guys: whether they include permit fees, who handles any stucco or interior repairs, and what the warranty covers.
Quick question: Does anyone know if there's a tax credit or rebate for energy-efficient windows in 2025? I recall something about federal tax credits coming back for windows that meet ENERGY STAR standards. Also, do our local utilities or the state offer anything for window upgrades? It'd be nice to offset the cost a bit if possible.
@fashion378 Yes! There's a federal tax credit in place for energy-efficient home improvements, which includes windows. For 2025, you can get up to $600 tax credit for qualifying windows (10% of cost up to $600, I believe). Just make sure the windows you buy are ENERGY STAR certified and keep the receipts and manufacturer certification statement. Also, check if your installer provides that documentation. As for local benefits, Florida doesn’t have a state tax credit for windows, but some insurance companies give discounts if you have impact-resistant openings (windows/doors). And occasionally, utility companies in Florida have small rebates for improvements that increase efficiency (though it's usually things like A/C or insulation). It can't hurt to ask your window contractor; they often know what programs are available that year.
I'll add our story to the mix as a cautionary tale. We had 10 windows replaced last year by a contractor who gave a decent price. We thought it included everything, but turns out permits were not included (found out later we had to pay the permit fee to the city separately, ugh). Also, after removing the old windows, they found some termite damage in the sill of one window, which was an extra $600 to fix on the spot. We still feel we got a fair deal, but it taught us to triple-check what the quote covers.
For anyone getting quotes, I'd suggest making sure the contract or quote clearly addresses things like:
Permit fees & inspections: Are they included? Who handles scheduling final inspection?
Repair of any rot or damage: If they find wood rot or termite damage, how is that billed?
Exterior stucco and interior trim: Will they patch up stucco outside or trim/paint inside if needed?
Disposal and cleanup: Do they haul away old windows and debris, or is that on you?
Warranty details: Get clarity on the window manufacturer's warranty and any workmanship warranty from the installer.
Having these in writing can save a lot of headaches and surprise costs. Our contractor was a bit vague, and we learned the hard way that not everything was included in the base quote. Still love the new windows, but next time I’ll be more detail-oriented upfront.
@yoga674 That's great advice. I agree 100% about getting everything in writing. I had a contractor who verbally said they'd "take care of everything," but when I asked for it in the contract, they added the details. If I hadn't asked, who knows. Also, even little things like who paints the new trim or caulks around the windows—clear communication helps. It sounds nitpicky, but it's your money and home, so don't feel bad about asking!
(Update) It's been about 6 months since we had our windows done by Károly Windows & Doors, and I wanted to share a quick update. No issues at all so far. The windows are working smoothly (no sticking or anything) and we went through a pretty heavy rainstorm with zero leaks. One unexpected benefit: our electric bill dropped by around 15%. 🤗 I guess the new windows are better insulated, so the A/C isn't working as hard. We also noticed significantly less outside noise. Our street isn’t super busy, but we barely hear the lawn guys and cars now. All in all, still very happy we chose impact windows and went with a reputable installer. For those on the fence about impact vs. non-impact: we do sleep easier knowing that if a storm comes, we don't have to scramble to board up or put shutters. But of course, impact was a bigger upfront cost, so it's a personal choice and budget thing.
We decided to do our window project in phases due to budget constraints. Posting this in case it helps someone with budgeting. We have 20 windows in our house, and doing them all at once was too much $$$. So last year we did the first 10 (the ones in the most dire shape and a couple large ones that really affected curb appeal). It cost us about $9k for those 10 (non-impact, single-hung vinyl windows). We plan to do the remaining 10 windows maybe next year. One thing to be aware of: if you split the project, you might miss out on volume discounts. Some companies gave us a quote per window that was a bit higher when doing half the house vs the whole house. Also, you might pay permit fees twice if you do it in two separate permits. In our case, we used the same company for phase 1 and intend to for phase 2, and they agreed to treat it as one project in terms of pricing/permit, which was cool of them. It definitely made the cost more manageable by breaking it up, even if overall it might cost a tad more than doing all 20 at once.
I have a two-story home in Wesley Chapel and can share a cost factor: height/elevation. Our second-floor windows cost more to replace than the first-floor ones because of the extra labor (they needed scaffolding and had to work carefully not to damage the roof tiles). For example, the quote for a standard 36"x60" window on the ground floor was $950 (impact glass, vinyl frame), but the same size window for upstairs was $1,200 due to the difficulty. So, if you have a second story, keep in mind the installers might charge extra per window. We ended up doing all 5 upstairs windows and 7 downstairs windows = 12 total, came out to about $13k with a local contractor. And yes, permits and all that were included. But just a heads up, the more complex the job (second story, awkward access, very large windows, etc.), the more it can affect the quote.
Another tip: Ask if the quote includes interior finish work. Some contractors will just install the window and caulk it, and any interior trim or paint work is on the homeowner to handle. Others will include things like replacing the inside wood trim or repainting where they had to cut back drywall, etc. In my case, the installer left about a 1-inch gap around the inside of the window (after taking out old metal frames from the 90s) and I had to hire a handyman to put in wood molding and paint. It wasn’t super expensive (couple hundred bucks) but I wish I had known to negotiate that upfront. Now, some companies have crews that do everything, but typically you'll pay a bit more for that "white glove" service. Just something to clarify so you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at quotes.
We kind of learned the hard way about choosing the right contractor. We went with a smaller company that gave us a low quote, and, well... let’s just say I regret it. 😓 Communication was poor, they missed the first scheduled install day (no show, no call), and when they finally did the work, they left a mess of plaster dust everywhere. The windows themselves are fine, but I ended up with a cracked windowsill that they wouldn't own up to. I wish I had gone with a more professional outfit even if it cost a bit more, like some of the ones mentioned here (I've heard good things about Pro Tech and Károly in terms of professionalism). So my two cents: the cheapest quote isn't always the best. Check reviews, ask around (this thread is great for that!), and go with someone who will stand behind their work. A good installer makes a huge difference.