Do windows really cost $295 to replace?

March 26, 2008 12:42 PM

Am I getting screwed over? Is $295 for a double paned glass window normal or is that too much?

One of my guy friends and I live together renting out his parents' old house, and as you might imagine for two guys, we have a couple BB/pellet guns that we like to shoot around in the back yard with. My neighbor recently found a hole in one of his windows and wanted us to pay for it, assuming it was us who had shot it out. First of all, rather than coming to us, he called the police first and had a police officer talk to us first, which I thought was a little stupid.

We're both pretty smart college guys and we don't drink, so we're always cognizant enough to not actually shoot at anything that has a window behind it, and neither of us remembers shooting in that direction or having heard any shattering noise after having shot (once again we don't drink so it's not like we might have done it and not remembered).

The police officer himself said that there was no way to actually prove that we were the ones who had broken the window and that the size of the hole seemed too big for the guns that we had, but I'm a nice guy and I agreed that it was probably our fault, and that we'd pay for the window, thinking it wouldn't be too expensive.

Today, the guy comes over and hands me a photocopied invoice for $295. I politely accepted it and said we'd get back to him soon, and muttered a few obscenities in his direction after he left and I had shut the door. Being college guys (my roommate basically unemployed and myself working at a church) we don't have a lot of money to throw around.

So, I'm wondering, am I getting screwed over with this price? On the invoice it's billed as an office window replacement, and written in the items list is 2 x SP 29x38. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated

posted by bigtalldave101 to home & garden (16 comments total)

Windows are really expensive. Sounds about right.
posted by FastGorilla at 12:43 PM on March 26

29x38 sounds like a custom size, which would make it a few hundred bucks.

Maybe you could take the specs you have to Home Depot or something and get some quotes of your own.
posted by winston at 12:47 PM on March 26

That doesn't sound excessive, but if you're concerned about it, I'd contact another place and get a second quote. They should be able to give you a ballpark figure if you tell them it's double paned, 29x38.
posted by EarBucket at 12:49 PM on March 26

Last time I had a window roughly the same size replaced, it was $100*.

*That was 10 years ago. I had homeowners insurance coverage that covered up to $100 per broken pane.

So, yeah, about $300 sounds about right.
posted by Doohickie at 12:54 PM on March 26

To answer the title, YES. My kicthen window which is only a little bigger than that one cost about $700.
posted by GuyZero at 12:57 PM on March 26

Expect to pay an average of $300-$700 per window for replacements placed inside existing (and structurally intact) window frames, but it could go as high as $1,000 per window. Link.
posted by yeti at 1:00 PM on March 26

Windows are one of the most expensive parts of a house. Them and kitchens.
posted by smackfu at 1:27 PM on March 26

That sounds about right, but the bigger question here is, (and IANAL) why admit fault? Especially if the cop - who probably has more experience in bullet holes than anyone involved - said that your BB/pellet guns probably didn't cause the damage?
posted by po822000 at 1:31 PM on March 26

Including installation? Yup, that's reasonable.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:31 PM on March 26

I just had my home's windows replaced, with double pane, and can report that they cost between $300 and $700 each, depending on size.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 1:37 PM on March 26

We broke ONE pane of a double-paned glass window of a similar size and it was $300 to have it replaced, so yes, this is a reasonable charge. Sorry.
posted by mosk at 1:44 PM on March 26

shouldn't have admitted a thing!
posted by Salvatorparadise at 2:17 PM on March 26

Single-pane windows are easy to fix. Replacement, or thermal windows, have 2 panes of glass, with argon gas sealed in. Not cheap.

Go to the neighbor, explain that you intended to be good neighbors even though you aren't certain you did the damage, and ask if you can do some chores in lieu of part of the cash. Put the pellet/BB guns away and use them out in the boonies, not where there are people nearby.
posted by theora55 at 2:22 PM on March 26

Yes - that sounds pretty reasonable, actually. I like the idea of offering to do chores in lieu of part of what is owed.
posted by Ostara at 2:27 PM on March 26

Offer to shoot it with your gun and you'll pay if the size matches.
The price is not unreasonable if it includes installation.
posted by rholly at 5:41 PM on March 26

You've already given your word that you'd replace the window. $295 is reasonable. Stay true to your word and hire a contractor to do the work.

I would attempt to negotiate, though. Find other local contractors who could take the job. Ask neighbor to consider lower estimates from other contractors.
posted by funkbrain at 6:07 PM on March 26