Window replacements in Historic

[Anonymous]

Hi DCUMers,

We need to replace ~6 windows in our 1800s townhouse in Capitol Hill (they are not original and they are not functional). We've gotten quotes from 10+ companies, and they are universally coming in quite high (>3k per window). We have a bigger reno on the horizon in the next 2-3 years. I assume that the window install might be cheaper as a part of a bigger project (as the team is already here). Has anyone priced it out this way before? How much did you save (or not) when comparing window installation from a "window company" vs having your GC do the work?

[Anonymous]

"Windows" is a huge world. You could get builder grade crap for 150 a window or top of the line triple paned argon filled true divided light. Choice is yours.

[Anonymous]

I would wait.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks guys. We fully intend to get "nice" windows (and being in a historic district forces this hand a bit). I'm curious from a budget perspective how windows via installation company stack up versus through your GC

[Anonymous]

Why did you find a need to have 10 companies quote replacing 6 windows ?

[Anonymous]

Everything keeps going up in price. If you wait 2-3 years you will pay more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you find a need to have 10 companies quote replacing 6 windows ?

Because they were all coming in 2-3x higher than the comps we had heard from friends and family

[Anonymous]

Ours are coming in around 2K each as part of a larger project, but your house sounds nicer. Ask neighbors/ your listserv?

[Anonymous]

We recently did a window project. I would recommend just doing the windows separately. There isn't much cost savings in combining the large project as so much of the costs is the windows.

The main reason I'd recommend separation is because we've had a nightmare between window lead times, and other materials lead time (roofing, exteriors). And so the project is dragging on. Separating out the windows can reduce some of this. We were quoted 5-7 weeks for Andersen windows (custom) and ended up getting them 6 months later, and having one break (so waiting for another shipment).