Window Replacement Quote Questions

DecksEtc

I received a voice mail msg. today from a property management company that I did some work for this past summer. They are asking me to provide a quote for replacing a couple of bedroom windows in one of their properties.

Now, I don't know that size of the windows but they are probably somewhere between 24" x 36" to 36" x 48" (at the most). The area the house is in is an older area. Also, I don't know if the exterior of the house is brick or siding (probably brick) so there is an element of the unknown to this.

Having never quoted window replacements I have a few question that hopefully some here can help with:

1. Would quoting a price of say 2 to 2 1/2 times all the material costs seem reasonable?

2. Would you charge a higher percentage of overhead if the windows have to be custom ordered? (I'm guessing they will be since the homes in the area are 50+ years old)

3. Are there unknowns/surprises that I should look for when it comes to doing replacement windows?

I realize that different businesses/areas have different pricing formulas and that no one can give me specific prices, considering I haven't provide the exact details of the job. I'm just looking to have as much information as possible before I go to do the quote.

Thanks in advance.

bob the builder

It' s not getting to cold to build decks is it???
My advice when doing windows is don't eat the paint chips they might have lead paint in them, and I'll IM the rest.

Bob

IHI

For any lurkers, installing replacement windows can be an easy job, but over the years I've found I get 9.99 medium to hard jobs to every one easy one. It's a typical job where having experience dealing with the MANY MANY different configurations out there and how to measure and finish them really has it's place cause you can get in the red quickly if you try to bid it tight not knowing what your getting into, or not get the job period because you over think it and insert that cost into your estimate. I've seen single opening double hung replacements get sold from $350 an opening to $1200 an opening...alot of room for profit if your a great salesman, and likewise, alot of room for error if it's something your not proficent with either...would be like me trying to get an idea of estimating excavation or plumbing a house...not my daily cup of tea.

You might be better off getting ahold of a buddy that does this aspect and having him come over with you to scope it out, get a bid from him then adding a little juice to pad your pockets. This way he can explain some things to look for (even though it will take many to figure them all out) and you can get an idea of what's involved.

My biggest kick is doing basement remodles/finishing. When I start asking all the related questions of trim, stain/paint, profiles, carpets, paddings, textures, colors, wall paint color, ceiling options....I get the deer in the head light look and "ahh, we never thought about this/that" same thing with windows, if you've never done it there alot more than just buying a window and "sticking it in the hole"....I've got plenty of customer #'s I had to fix messes that can help validify that statement

__________________
Hot Rod Work Van
Car video clip
Web
The Photo Gear- Type Josh into Contact name when ordering

DecksEtc

First, thanks for the PM Bob.

Second, IHI, I appreciate what you're saying. I realize I haven't given enough details about the job but was looking for a few guidelines for pricing it. I could use the work myself seeing as I'm done decks until March. I'll know better once I see it. I'd like to further my relationship with this company and know they will be seeking other bids if my price is unreasonably high. The previous job I did for them was 34' ft. of 6' high PT fence. The first quote they got was $2,000, my bid was $1,100 (which was almost double my regular price due to it being such a small run of fence) - needless to say I got the job.

I'll be in the area of the house on Thursday so it won't take me long to drop by and see it. I'll take a few pictures and run things by everyone here after I have more details.

DecksEtc

Little bit of a update...

Spoke to my contact today and it seems to be a little bit more than just replacing 2 windows. They already have a quote so because of my much better quote on the fence, they want me to quote it. Anyway, what needs to be done is replace 2 windows (pretty old by the sound of it and may be originals), clean up mold on the walls (the quote they received told them that the windows are leaking and causing the mold) and paint the 2 bedrooms. The quote they received said that the mold would be primed with Zinsser before painting.

I started off by explaining that I would have to get to the cause of the mold and repair it before doing any window replacement/painting and that this may be end up having me replace section(s) of drywall (or it could be lathe & plaster - who knows?). Also, explained that the window price could vary greatly - I'm going on the assumption that they have to be will be custom ordered (sight unseen, of course).

I'm speculating that the tenant is the one that has initiated getting the landlord to fix the problem. My understanding is they have a small baby in the home and are quite right to be concerned about the mold.

Again, I'll have more details once I look at it in person. On the positive side, it's more than just a straight window replacement job now.

Tom R

Terry,

Myself, - - I wouldn't even do this job, - - 'marrying up' to a mold job is the quickest way I can think of to set yourself up for a potential lawsuit. When they say mold, I say fold. Unfortunately, it's the reality of this day and age. Just my two cents.

__________________
http://www.tr-built.com

Grumpy

1) Forget basing your profit and labor rate on the cost of the material. That's hog wash. For example a gold plated $1000 window will probably take you the same ammount of time to install as a $50 vinyl window. My subs charge me for the ave sized window, $75 which includes installation and aluminum capping. I provide window they provide everything else.

2) Would I charge a higher overhead? No. Why? Almost all the windows I install are custom order and all replacement windows should be custom IMO. But I would get a larger down payment to completely cover the cost of the windows since they are special order, they are probably non-returnable.

3) Look for rotted wood, especially sills. I charge extra for this to be determined at the time of installation, usually $50 per side. However you can usually spot the rotted wood before you even start removing any windows (during the estimate).

Sometimes I can bid a job at $400 a window 4-5 windows total and be the cheapest bidder. At the same time I have to compete with the many many many small "mom 'n pop" vinyl window manufactutrers who all have installers. They basically sell the installation portion of the job at their cost because to them installing the windows is just one way to sell more windows. When I bid against these guys they are usually about $225 per window.

Windows is the craziest business!