3 ways contractors reduce window replacement costs

Do you want to save a little money when upgrading the windows in your home? Of course, you do. Many people are watching their budget these days, and if you're replacing your windows, there's a good chance you're hoping the project will lower your heating and cooling bills. It may go against everything you've heard in the past, but one of the easiest ways to lower your window replacement costs is by purchasing from a window contractor.

Window replacement cost: the big picture

Buying replacement windows for your home normally involves more than walking down the aisles of your local home improvement store to compare prices. If you're inexperienced with windows, there are a few important details you will need to know. Find the associate experienced in window sales.

For example: What style window do you have and do you want? What sizes (as best as you can determine) do you need? And which existing windows in your home have tempered glass? These are just a few of the questions that should be answered before you pull out your credit card. Ask the salesperson about window energy-efficiency features, and other insulating and quality features about the window.

Be aware that standard, off-the-shelf replacement windows might not fit your windows perfectly; you might have to do some extra work to make them fit. Buying standard replacement windows without knowing what you need can be problematic if they don't work out and you find you cannot return them. If the store special orders any unusable window units, guess who'll have a bunch of windows sitting in their garage for the next 20 years?

How window contractors help you save

When you work with a window contractor, his or her experience in the industry may help save you money, by preventing you from making expensive mistakes. A window contractor's abilities can turn what might seem like a complicated project into a quick and simple job.

These are just a few ways that a contractor can reduce your window replacement cost:

1. By choosing the replacement windows that require the least amount of work to install.
2. By showing you how to get the most energy-efficient features for your replacement window budget.
3. By ordering the correct windows the first time, including any special features, such as tempered glass.

A busy contractor purchases in volume and can receive discounts from window manufacturers that aren't that different from what "big box" home improvement stores receive. The contractor's price can reflect that cost, plus their labor costs and profits.

Costs vary depending on the type of replacement window and the manufacturer, but at the end of the day, they are often very similar to buying from a retailer. The added bonus: You get the job done right the first time with a contractor's expertise.