I recently got a quote for the following:

Replace 2 63"x54" windows with fixed non-opening vinyl window-argon gas and low-e.

Replace 4 30"x15" basement windows with vinyl sliding window-argon gas and low-e

Replace 1 32"wide door with fiberglas replacement with argon gas and low-e

Price 3468.00

The contractor indicated on the quote that I should exept a tax rebate of 499.

Price seems a little high to me and I feel like he may be taking advantage of the government rebates to jack up his price. Does this price seem fair?

Please understand that my response is due to the many folks that often question my prices for work we perform. More times then not, customers compare costs with what is posted on the big box store windows. What they do not realize that there are many hidden costs added once the salesperson is at your home. So simply costing out the material is not going to get you even near the ball park when you get the final bill once everything is figured into the job.

Way to hard to figure. What kind of windows do you now have, How are they installed? What kind of trim is required to finish the install? Are they being put in from the inside or the outside of the house? Inside? How much work is it for them to get to the windows? lots of clutter in the home to walk around? Window treatments to worry about? Who is going to finish any trim that is being replaced on the inside. What level is the windows at? How is the parking and working area? Does he have to walk a distance to get to his truck? Are the windows and doors standard sizes? What is the disposal costs for the stuff removed. What brands of windows and door? Perhaps he felt as though you were (excuse the pun) window shopping and does not have time to barter with you on price. So he just figured quickly the price. I often myself quote higher if I feel that the owner will end up questioning my prices and quality just to cover any issues that often arise with this type of client.

Does he have insurance, a car payment and fuel, workmans comp to pay? What about an office to support, phones, What about the expensive tools he must purchase and maintain Oh yea, what about food for his family and profit so some day he can retire. Of course he must pay his help as well as they to have to survive.

No this does not seem like a large amount for what he is doing.

You probably have between $2000 and $3000 for the doors and windows alone, depending on the quaity of those components.

If you use a decent window, I couldn't come close to that price, maybe $5000 or so without even seeing the job. I'm assuming that since you are replacing the windows you probably have siding on.

As a rule of thumb, take the cost of each window, and add on the same amount for labor, to estimate the total cost, but keep in mind that each job is different and presents different problems for the installer, so YOUR actual cost won't be less, probably, but could be more, depending on what's involved. So, my number and Jay's number start to look pretty good...as Jay says, IF you're using decent windows.

I'd be more concerned that the number you have is too low.

Not too much at all....like it has been said there's aton of material involved in replacement windows and a lot of labor. I am doing 18 windows for $8k in the next two weeks.

Thanks for the responses. I have no idea as to what the cost is for this since this is my 1st home and I grew up in an apt in NYC. The price still seems alot to me, however, the company has a good reputation in the area, so I'll bite the bullet and pay them the money. Either that or freeze another winter.