I'm still planning out my window replacements and need to decide soon.
I've gotten estimates on Milgard aluminum replacements for around $12k (windows only) and labor estimates of $13k and $16k.
I'm having a hard time swallowing that cost for what is essentially a block fit of the windows.
Remove stops, pull old window. Clean, caulk, set window. Replace stops, caulk, prime and paint.
Someone commented that he/she had Blombergs installed. Can you let me know what that ran?
I have a feeling that $25k is about the right ballpark for the entire project, at least in Milgard.
Blombergs run about 2x the price of the Milgard, at least from Palo Alto Glass. I didn't even ask them about their labor costs, assuming they wouldn't come up to Walnut Creek, but maybe they do.
I've gotten estimates on Milgard aluminum replacements for around $12k (windows only) and labor estimates of $13k and $16k.
I'm having a hard time swallowing that cost for what is essentially a block fit of the windows.
Remove stops, pull old window. Clean, caulk, set window. Replace stops, caulk, prime and paint.
Someone commented that he/she had Blombergs installed. Can you let me know what that ran?
I have a feeling that $25k is about the right ballpark for the entire project, at least in Milgard.
Blombergs run about 2x the price of the Milgard, at least from Palo Alto Glass. I didn't even ask them about their labor costs, assuming they wouldn't come up to Walnut Creek, but maybe they do.
The Blombergs from Palo Alto glass were expensive, and they did come up here (we are RSM people), but it was in January and we had the entire house done. It cost about $39k. The most expensive were the sliding doors (between 5k and 7k each) which we have three of. The small windows that are in the bathrooms and bedrooms were around $900 each. The large living room around 1k. In total we replaced 23 windows and two sliders.
ReplyDeleteThey measure each opening and make the window to fit. They replace all the rotten wood you may have in your sills (we has a lot) and they re-frame where it is needed. They don't paint.
It was a lot of money, and we feel lucky we were able to do it. They are nice.
I removed the kitchen cabinets in a place being fully remodelled and expanded in San Mateo. The model, unlike yours and mine, had a vaulted ceiling, so the glass needs were even greater. That entire house is being done with low-e for $20K, including labor!
ReplyDeleteI am re-opening my atrium (previous owners broke out the sliders and the large pane, and roofed it). I got a quote for all of 2 sliders and one 8x6. Labor = material costs, so, about $8K. If I were to multiply that out to all of my glass needs I would quickly be at your number, which, to be honest, is ridiculous for the low skill work (as you, too, indicate) that this is.
In speaking with two GCs, both were equally shocked by the labor costs from glass shops. One mentioned that glass shops will charge some $800 to redo the sills, when that can be done with a bit of wood, a few nails/screws, a measuring tape, and a chop saw in about 1-2 hours for somebody with no skills. The other said that the reason labor is so expensive is that glass shops are essentially working as GC and subbing the installation out to grab the difference between their quoted rate and what they actually end up spending. So, the glass shop is not doing the install and is taking a homeowner to the cleaners. In the end, both GCs suggested ordering the glass and putting the installation work out to bid to licensed contractors. They both figured that would cut the installation by 50%, which is much closer to what I had expected this level of work to cost.
Places like Blomberg and Arcadia may only sell to glaziers and not to contractors.
Anyway, nobody would pay landscaper/garden designer rates to cut a lawn. We shouldn't be forced to do essentially the same for glass installation.