Does it make sense for me to replace the windows in my house?
lindee3000 asked:
Lived in house for 5 years. I have 3 double hung windows and 3 slider windows. Would like to move Spring 2009 if the house sells. Current windows are 30 years old with metal frames, front big double hung windows do not fit/operate correctly, one slider window leaks. I live in a loud neighborhood.
Lived in house for 5 years. I have 3 double hung windows and 3 slider windows. Would like to move Spring 2009 if the house sells. Current windows are 30 years old with metal frames, front big double hung windows do not fit/operate correctly, one slider window leaks. I live in a loud neighborhood.
Should I replace all windows (and sliding glass door which I am doing for sure) for $4400 installed? Does this makes sense? Will it make the house more marketable? Who knows, I may be stuck in this house longer than I thought!
New windows would be vinyl, low-e/argon gas windows with a transferrable warranty
Thanks!
Just wanted to clarify:
Sliding glass door: $1600
3 large double hung & 3 large slider windows: $2800
Follow-up question:
Would 25% cheaper be more in line with what I should expect?
Received another quote:
$3920 for 3 double hung, 3 sliders, and a sliding glass door ($1500) OR
$4400 for 9 double hung windows, and one sliding glass door. Thoughts?
Carmelina
Tags: Argon Gas Windows, Metal Frames, Transferrable Warranty
January 19th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Carmon
The windows aren’t functioning properly for you and you don’t like them. If you can afford to replace them, do it! Treat yourself and possibly recoup the expense at sale. Windows make a difference when it comes to first impressions. People get turned off to a house when it doesn’t seem maintained. Old and outdated is different than broken and ignored.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Abby
Yes you should, if you don’t move you will save on heating and cooling, and when buyers come and see new windows they will feel the rest of the house has been updated and looked after, as well
January 19th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Beulah
Your power company may offer a program that helps pay for better windows.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 am
Carma
I have a feeling I know exactly which windows you’re talking about. 4400 is a little much. shop around, definitely. i’ve sold window/home improvement projects AND i’ve been i real estate sales as well.
having the new windows is a DEFINITE marketable feature for your home and I would say GO FOR IT. on the other hand, I’d say the window company is charging you way too much. shop around and go with something a little less expensive. they’re going to tell you their windows save you x amount of electricity, blah blah blah, there really isn’t THAT much of a difference between most of the newer vinyl windows.
you can message me about specifics and I’ll be completely honest with you about the value of the diff. windows.
January 24th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Arnold
If you stay in the house, you will have windows that work well, are energy efficient and, hopefully, make you happy.
If you sell you will have new windows as a selling feature since they will look good and be energy efficient.
Seems to me you win either way by replacing the windows.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Albertha
You should indeed replace these windows. If you have noticed the problems, your buyers will as well. There are too many variables to guess how this will effect the sale of your house, but I think it is safe to say you will get enough more to cover the cost.
I would not replace the sliders with the same type. Sliders are horrible in terms of proper sealing. Vinyl sliders are even worse than aluminum. The vinyl flexes too much, making it difficult to keep the meeting seal work properly. Replace them with double hung, even if you have to spend a bit more and get twin double hungs to fill the hole.
January 27th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Kathyrn
New windows would be a good selling point, in my opinion. Especially good, insulated ones that will help save heating/cooling costs.
I think you’re getting charged a bit much for installation. We just replaced all the windows in our house and we bought 16 windows and a door (regular, not glass) for just over $3000. And two of the windows were quite large–about 4′x6′ I would say. I’m pretty sure we got vinyl, low-e, argon double hung windows. I don’t know anything about the warranty or if there is one. We purchased them at Home Depot.
I think you should shop around a bit maybe. Take your window measurements into Home Depot and Lowe’s and they can tell you how much they charge for windows alone. Good luck.
edit–Also ask your tax preparer if there’s a tax credit for installing energy saving windows. There was last year but I’m not sure about now. I’m unsure of all the details, but it’s another thing to consider about it.