Window Replacement Calculator
Unit-price window replacement by grade (builder vinyl → aluminum-clad wood), insert vs new-construction install, with trim, caulk, flashing, disposal, and labor.
Mid-size double-hung is a fair baseline
Dumpster share or haul-away
2-person crew loaded rate
Insert: 2–4. New-construction: 4–8.
3% covers caulk + breakage
Result
- Windows (units)
- $6,798
- Trim
- —
- Caulk
- $96
- Flashing tape
- —
- Material subtotal
- $6,894
- Disposal
- $216
- Permit
- $180
- Labor
- 36.0 hr · $2,700
- Total installed
- $9,990
- Effective $ / window
- $833
This estimate is based on national average costs and may vary by region, project specifics, and market conditions. Use as a starting point for your bids.
Insert vs new-construction install
The single biggest pricing variable. Insert replacement slides a new window into the existing frame — frame stays put, trim stays put, no painting required. Fastest install, lowest cost. New-construction is full tear-out: window, frame, jambs, sometimes a section of sheathing, then full re-flash and re-trim inside and out.
| Install | Hours/window | Trim work | Cost multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insert | 2–4 | None | 1.0× baseline |
| New-construction | 4–8 | Full inside + outside | 1.5–2.0× |
Required new-construction situations: rotted frames, size change, new exterior cladding being installed concurrently, or any opening that doesn't have a square + plumb + true existing frame. Insert install is cheaper but only works when the existing assembly is in good condition.
Grade pricing (installed, per-window all-in)
| Grade | Insert | New-construction |
|---|---|---|
| Builder vinyl | $450–650 | $700–950 |
| Premium vinyl (Andersen 100, Pella 250) | $700–1,200 | $1,000–1,700 |
| Fiberglass (Marvin, Pella Reserve) | $1,100–2,000 | $1,600–2,800 |
| Aluminum-clad wood (Andersen 400, Marvin Ultimate) | $1,400–3,000+ | $2,000–4,500+ |
Whole-house packages
Quote a whole-house package for the customer, then itemize the windows below for transparency. Bundled jobs of 8+ windows usually win 8–12% better margin than per-window pricing because they prevent comparison shopping on individual SKUs. They also get crew efficiency on the install side — second day usually finishes faster than the first as the rhythm sets in.
Frequently asked questions
Insert vs new-construction — which install do I quote?
Insert (slide-in): use when the existing window frame is sound, the homeowner doesn't want trim disturbed, and the gap-to-frame is consistent. Fastest install (~2 hr per window), no interior/exterior trim disturbance, no painting required. New-construction: full tear-out down to studs. Required if frames are rotted, the customer wants a different size, or new exterior cladding is going on. 2–3× the install time per window.
What does each window grade run installed?
Builder vinyl: $450–650 per window installed (insert). Premium vinyl (Andersen 100, Pella 250): $700–1,200 per window. Fiberglass (Marvin, Pella Reserve): $1,100–2,000. Aluminum-clad wood (Andersen 400, Marvin Ultimate): $1,400–3,000+. Multiply roughly 1.5–2× for new-construction install vs insert.
How long does a window install take?
Insert: 2–4 hours per window for a 2-person crew (faster on consistent unit sizes). New-construction: 4–8 hours per window because of full tear-out, flashing tape, exterior siding cuts, interior trim removal and re-install. A typical 12-window whole-house insert job: 1.5–2 days. Same job in new-construction: 4–6 days plus trim painter.
Do I need a permit for window replacement?
Most jurisdictions: yes for new-construction; sometimes no for insert (depends on local rules). Egress windows always require permit because of safety code. Hurricane-zone jurisdictions usually require permit for any opening. Always check local — a $200 permit beats a $5,000 do-over after a failed inspection.
Should I quote individual window prices or whole-house?
Whole-house package gets 8–12% better margins than itemized quotes, because the customer can't comparison-shop you on individual SKUs. Still, list the windows on the proposal so the customer sees what they're getting. Detail = trust; itemized line items = trapdoors.
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