Replacement for a house window - Cost

[Kraftwerk]

..my 89 year old Mom owns her home lives about 5 hrs North of me. She seems to thankfully still have here wits about her. While most workers that repair things for her are honest, she sometimes gets contractors who do shoddy work or rip her off. She recently got a quote from some guy ..she maybe even left a deposit, on a $4000 window replacement (!) It's an Anderson window so there is a "dealership" and "installer fee" ONE window about 28" x 38" $4000...?
Often I get pissed off enough and do these jobs myself, last time I was here I re-built a staircase to the deck, sometimes I am can't be around and she is at the mercy of dubious workers. Luckily the lawn guy is nice-he never even asks for payment & she has to remind him, his prices are super-cheap. She has a great plumber too. This window deal seems very expensive. The window itself can't be that expensive..or can they? They are not even that great in quality, IMO.

From Forbes site:
"Anderson windows typically cost anywhere from $380 to $3,700 per window including installation fees.
The overall cost for windows is dependent on several factors including window size, material, style and level of customization.
On average, labor costs for window installation are around $40 per hour or about $100 to $300 per window. "

This is a ground-floor bathroom window by Pella just ONE broken upper sash glass (24" x 14.5") everything works.. so : no ladders required, its a very simple window, 50's ranch-house.. my Mom called Anderson by mistake thinking it was an Anderson product, now we are stuck with this joker,
she left a 1/3 deposit..maybe she is getting a but dodgy...
damn, I better go get my tool belt.

[ryans65]

She is absolutely getting ripped off, please please please urge her to get a few more quotes even if it
means giving up the deposit. Maybe even contact a handyman service in her area to contract for some quotes?

[stevej37]

Any Amish in her area?
I've had them replace windows and they do excellent work at a very reasonable price.

[rfuerst911sc]

Can a glass company not repair/replace just the broken glass ? I get that they may not be able to replace the argon gas or whatever was used on that window . But is that really a big deal for a bathroom window ?

[908/930]

$4k sounds way high. A friend just had two 2nd storey windows about the same size quoted at $2k for both installed, usually your USA prices are lower.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Can a glass company not repair/replace just the broken glass ? I get that they may not be able to replace the argon gas or whatever was used on that window . But is that really a big deal for a bathroom window ?

^^^^ This.... mebbe?

But stop that total rip-off first

[rwest]

If she can’t get the contractor to refund her deposit, you might contact the State attorney general to see if they have laws on elder abuse or maybe just tell the guy that is what you’re going to do and see if he comes around on his own?

[Alan A]

I’m in Westchester.
The local glass contractor did 5 large windows - replaced the glass packs because the seals went - for 4k. She’s getting dunned. He needs a kicking.

[serene911]

She is getting ripped off. I'm in the glass business. In the Pacific Northwest, a single
insulated glass unit 29 by 32 would retail from $140 to 225.00 depending on variables.
If she has a standard vinyl frame, wood or aluminum with removable stops an experienced
glass shop should be able to remove the existing glass unit clean the old glazing tape off
and re install the new glass in 1 to 1 1/2 hours. That's a labor cost plus the unit. Obviously
if you are removing the entire old frame and replacing it with a new frame which includes the
glass it would be more. As already mentioned she needs to talk to a local glass shop to see if just the glass unit can be replaced. Typically it is not necessary to replace frames, unless it is an old wood frame which is rotted out. Anderson and alot of the national companies that advertise on tv
are worth staying away from. On top off the initial ripoff pricing, many of there windows down the road when the units fail, it is a real headache to replace the failed units.

[Kraftwerk]

Thanks for your responses. I really do appreciate each and every one of your ideas, here. You guys are great.

tmw I will call the guy and cancel and demand a full refund, the deposit she placed was over a grand.
She got totally fleeced by this guy, he is unscrupulous.
Another way it could have gone was, “Lady, this is NOT an Anderson window, let me give you the number of the local Pella dealer, tell him I sent you. ” etc. Instead she is in for a new ( not needed window ) and $4000.

Wish we had some Amish around, they are a few states over. I admire their work and ethos.
Seems like I could order the Pella replacement and put it in myself in a few hours,
with a bit of swearing.

[serene911]

One of the big downsides of the national companies, Anderson and Pella specifically is the way they install the glass units into the frames. All insulated glass units will eventually fail. Milgard and many
other companies install their glass into the frame with glazing tape and then snap bead which also
secures the glass into the frame. When the unit fails any local glass company/glazier can easily
replace the failed unit in a reasonable amount of time. Pella and Anderson like to install the glass
units in a way that forces you to call them only, and then to sell you a full new frame when all you need is the glass. An anology , If you get a crack in your car windshield, the frames are designed
so the glass can be easily removed and new windshield installed. You do not need to buy a new car. Some glass companies intentionally glue the glass in so they cannot be easily replaced. It's
a way to force the customer into using them only at a much greater expense. In other words. to screw you.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

I paid $290 for a 24 x 36 dual pane window @ HD in SoCal
Most any body can do the demo.
Framing into existing structure is not rocket science either.
Use mend plates to join new frame into existing structure.

[A930Rocket]

If the dirtbag balks at refunding your money, report him to Anderson for taking advantage of a senior citizen.

[john70t]

A realtor said it was about $1k a window.
Higher quality and name brands will be more but geesh.

[porsche tech]

We had 2 windows 66 x 29 replaced due to wood rot on the outside sill. Went to local Pella store, they sent estimator and then repair person. $5000. One window (facing the tee box of the golf course) had tempered glass which was extra. Hurricane glass was outrageously expensive. I told the installer I paid less than that for cars with air conditioning.

[jrj3rd]

Just order a replacement sash from Pella. You don't need a entire new window. things are repairable. Other option is a glass company and let them fix it..

[911 Rod]

I'd get a couple of more quotes so you have backup before accusing him.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I'd get a couple of more quotes so you have backup before accusing him.

From my experience Anderson is always is a very expensive window to start with. I wouldn't expect anything to be a lot more that Anderson.

[stealthn]

I just did all 19 windows in my house with triple paned gas filled glass with black outside frames (some 19' tall).
$41K CDN

[Brian 162]

We had the windows replaced in our last house. Eight windows all different sizes. We paid around $11,000. We got 3-4 estimates and all but one were close. We used a company called Magic Windows. They’re a pretty good product. No cranks, and the screen is hidden until the window is open.