three trips to the hardware store for more shims, two tubes of caulk, flashing tape I didn’t even know existed, and a can of expanding foam that somehow got everywhere except where I wanted it.
That expanding foam is like glitter—once it’s out, it’s *everywhere*. I totally underestimated how much random stuff I’d need too. My spreadsheet said “window + screws,” but my reality was “window + 12 mystery items + a new pry bar.” Still, I kinda liked knowing every weird gap was filled (and what wasn’t).
My spreadsheet said “window + screws,” but my reality was “window + 12 mystery items + a new pry bar.”
That’s the classic trap—estimating for the obvious, then getting blindsided by all the small stuff. I see it all the time. If you’re trying to save money, the trick is to plan for those “mystery items” upfront. I usually make a checklist after my first install, and it always grows. For expanding foam, I’ve found taping off everything you don’t want covered helps a ton... but yeah, it still finds a way. In the end, you might save on labor, but materials and extra trips do add up. Sometimes you break even, sometimes not.
Honestly, I’ve yet to see a DIY window job come in at the original “just the window” price. You’ll need shims, caulk, flashing tape, maybe a new level if yours is bent… it adds up. If you’ve got the tools already, you might save a bit, but it’s never as cheap as it looks on paper. I always tell people: add 20% to your estimate for the weird stuff you didn’t think of.
add 20% to your estimate for the weird stuff you didn’t think of.
This hits way too close to home. I tried swapping out a single window in my 70s ranch last fall, thinking it’d be a “pop out, pop in” kind of deal. Famous last words. Ended up needing a crowbar (mine was MIA), a new can of expanding foam because the old one had fossilized, and—no joke—three trips to the hardware store for shims that I kept underestimating. The flashing tape was a whole adventure on its own.
I did save some money compared to hiring it out, but not nearly as much as I’d hoped. And I’m still finding caulk in places it shouldn’t be. If you’ve already got half the supplies in your garage, maybe it works out. If not, that “just the window” price is a total myth.
If you’ve already got half the supplies in your garage, maybe it works out. If not, that “just the window” price is a total myth.
Yeah, this is exactly what tripped me up. Thought I’d be clever and save a bunch by DIY-ing one window in our 80s split-level. Here’s how it actually went:
- Window price: reasonable.
- Tools I didn’t own: not so much. Borrowed a pry bar from my neighbor and still had to buy a caulk gun and a weirdly specific screwdriver.
- “Oh, you’ll just need shims and foam.” Sure, but somehow I used twice as many shims as the YouTube guy.
- Ended up with a pile of leftover stuff I’ll probably never use again.
Did I save money? Technically, yes, but only if you ignore the value of my Saturday and the fact that my trim now has a suspicious gap. Not sure I’d call it a win, but at least I learned a lot (mainly about how much I don’t know). The “just the window” price is like the unicorn of home improvement—sounds great, never actually seen one.
That “just the window” myth gets a lot of folks. It’s never just the window—there’s always some oddball tool or supply you end up needing. I ran into the same thing swapping out a basement window last spring. Window cost was fine, but by the time I picked up a multi-tool (for cutting out old caulk), foam, shims, and trim nails, I was halfway to what a pro would’ve charged for labor.
Honestly, unless you already own most of the tools and don’t mind spending your weekend wrestling with old framing, it’s a wash at best. My install looked okay from a distance but there are gaps in the trim if you look close. Plus, getting everything plumb and square is way harder than YouTube makes it seem.
If you’re just doing one window, I’d say the savings are minimal once you factor in time and materials. If you’re planning to replace several over time, maybe it starts to make sense—at least then you’ll actually use all those leftover supplies.
You nailed it—there’s always some “surprise” supply run. Did my kitchen window last winter, figured it’d be a half-day job. Ended up learning the hard way that old houses aren’t ever square, and I had to buy a new pry bar halfway through. Honestly, the real value for me was just knowing it was done right (or at least knowing who to blame if it wasn’t). If you only do one, I agree—don’t expect big savings. More about the experience than the money, at least in my case.
the real value for me was just knowing it was done right (or at least knowing who to blame if it wasn’t)
That’s basically why I keep tackling these jobs myself. Did a bay window on my 1920s place—nothing was plumb, and I swear the wall bowed in places I didn’t expect. Took twice as long as I planned, but at least I know what’s behind the trim now. As for savings, unless you’re doing a bunch of windows or already own half the tools, it’s not a huge win financially. Still beats paying someone just to cut corners though.
Totally get that. I tried swapping out one window in our place last spring, thinking it’d be a weekend thing. Three weekends later, I was still shimming and re-leveling because nothing was square. Didn’t really save much money, but at least I know it won’t leak (I hope).
Yeah, I hear you. I swapped out two old windows in my 70s ranch last fall. Thought it’d be a quick job, but nothing lined up right and the trim was a nightmare. Ended up spending about what I would’ve paid a pro, honestly. At least I learned a few new cuss words.