Good points about budgeting extra, but I'd argue that 10-15% might still be a bit conservative, especially with older homes. Ran into some nasty rot issues around windows in my 1940s bungalow—ended up closer to 25% over budget once we dug deeper...
Yeah, older homes can definitely throw curveballs at you. When I replaced windows in my place (built in the early 50s), I initially thought budgeting an extra 15% was plenty cautious. But once we pulled out the old frames, found some sketchy DIY fixes from previous owners—like random pieces of plywood covering rot spots and even newspaper stuffed into gaps as insulation...seriously? Ended up needing way more work than planned, and my budget went about 20-25% over too. Honestly, now whenever I'm tackling something on this house, I just mentally brace myself for surprises and keep a bit more padding in the budget. Better safe than sorry, especially when you're dealing with decades of questionable homeowner "fixes."
"Ended up needing way more work than planned, and my budget went about 20-25% over too."
Yeah, seems like that's always the way with older houses. Did you get multiple quotes beforehand or just wing it with one contractor? Sometimes shopping around helps catch potential issues early...
Yeah, older homes always seem to hide surprises behind the walls... Did you have an inspection beforehand or just dive straight into the window replacement? I've found that even thorough inspections can miss hidden rot or structural issues. Usually, I try to budget an extra 15-20% as a cushion—learned that the hard way after my first reno went way over. Did your contractor give you a heads-up mid-project, or was it more of a sudden discovery?
- Learned the hard way inspections aren't foolproof—had one miss major termite damage once.
- Contractors usually spot issues mid-job, but I've had a few nasty surprises pop up last-minute.
- Curious, did you end up adjusting your window choices after discovering the rot?
Honestly, I wouldn't rely too heavily on contractors catching everything mid-job. Had a similar issue—contractor missed some serious water damage until we were halfway through installation. Ended up costing way more than expected. Personally, I'd budget extra upfront for unexpected repairs rather than downgrading window quality later. Better to have a cushion than compromise on something you'll live with daily...
That's a good point about budgeting extra upfront, but how do you decide how much extra is enough? I'm a first-time homeowner and still figuring out this whole budgeting thing... Did you set aside a certain percentage of your total window budget for unexpected repairs, or was it more of a gut feeling? Just wondering if there's a general rule of thumb or if it's mostly guesswork based on the home's age and condition.
When we replaced our windows last year, I honestly just went with my gut and added a little extra based on the age of our house (built in the 70s). Worked out okay, but now I'm curious—is there actually a recommended percentage people follow?
I think your gut instinct was pretty spot-on, honestly. I've done a few window replacements myself, and while there's no official "recommended percentage" that everyone follows, most experienced DIYers or contractors I know tend to add around 10-20% extra to their initial budget estimates. It really depends on the age and condition of your house, though.
Older homes—especially from the 60s and 70s—can be tricky because you never quite know what's lurking behind those old frames until you start pulling things apart. Last time I replaced windows in my place (built in '68), I budgeted about 15% extra, thinking that would cover any surprises. Turned out I needed every penny of it because some of the framing had rotted out over the years, and I had to replace sections of studs and insulation that I hadn't anticipated.
Another thing to consider is the type of windows you're going for. If you're upgrading from single-pane to double-pane or triple-pane, or adding special coatings for energy efficiency, those costs can creep up faster than you'd expect. Plus, don't forget about the little things like trim, caulking, flashing tape, and even disposal fees if you're getting rid of old windows yourself.
So yeah, your gut feeling approach isn't far off from what most people do in practice. I'd say if you're dealing with an older home or suspect hidden issues (like moisture damage or outdated framing), leaning toward the higher end of that 10-20% range is probably wise. Better safe than sorry... learned that one the hard way myself a couple times.
I'd actually suggest going a bit higher than 20% for older homes. When I replaced windows in my '72 ranch, I figured 20% would cover it, but ended up closer to 30% over budget. Honestly, you never know what you'll find once you start pulling stuff apart—especially if previous owners did some DIY "fixes" themselves... Always better to have extra cash set aside than scramble later.