Need help to see if quote is to high? (entire home 19k)

[gregWI]

Hello - I am new here and I have some questions. This may be long so sorry in advance....
I am in need of replacement windows very badly. My house is 13 years old and I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin. In the winter (~below +15F) I get an 1" of ice on the north windows (front of my house) about 12"-18" high from the bottom. Overnight I get 1/8" of on all windows but it will go away when the sun hits the south windows. As you can imagine the water has cause damage on all sills and more problems on the north widows and I am afraid it may start rotting. The current widows are pine wood double pane vinyl clad outside. Anyway you get the idea...

This is my house with approx dimensions on the windows. Replacing all windows (not replacing the small narrow side windows by the front door) including the 1/2 round and patio door.
http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide1.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide3.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide4.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide5.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide6.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide7.JPG; http://home.wi.rr.com/schmidtg/Slide8.JPG
So far I have 2 quotes and looking to get more.

1st is a local company who installs windows only and have been around for 20 years. Neighbor used them and liked them very well. They use Great Lakes Window ---- Their quote is $19,000

2nd is Stanek windows, they make their own windows and sell them through regional showrooms -- Their qoute is $18,000

1st guy - All windows are double pane LowE/Argon (the big north window top and bottom are Krypton), light oak vinyl/white outside. They are also going to repair the north damge - sill, framework, staining, and drywall. This also includes the back patio door with blinds inside each glass (I think it is the Uniframe, but they don't call it that).

2nd guy (Stanek) - LowE/Argon with heat mirror between panes. They will fix some of the north damage but not drywall or stain.

I really like the 1st guys because they were by far the nicest and they even sent their work superviosor/foreman to look at the north damage to get a good estimate on what they would need to do. They never bashed the other guys and seemed to know their crap.
The other guy (Stanek) was very pushy and bashed everyone but themselves although their product looked good. I'm not sure if the heat mirror is necessary but all of their windows have (maybe they need it?).

Before I spend $19,000 on windows, I just want to make sure if these are in the ball park. I thought about HomeDepot and Sears home improvement but I know there could be some hidden damage that would need to be repaired and I'm not sure how their contractors handle that kind of work.

Any information would be great.

Greg

[Dean S]

There are basicly two ways to replace a window, inserting a new window into the existing frame and full replacement. Since there is extensive damage to the frames you should consider full replacement.

There could be damage to the 2x4's and insulation in the walls which you would never find if you're using inserts. You will also replace the interior trim. It will probably be more expensive but it is something you should definitely consider.

[gregWI]

The north main windows (not the 1/2 round) are a full frame replacement. That is included in the price I got. All of the other windows do not appear to have much damage except for the exposed sill - those are the just replacement.

Tha 1/2 round, patio door, and the full north frame repacement is $8,500 of that total (19K).


Any idea if this is in the ball park?

Thanks for any responses.

[Sales Dept.]

You might consider one of the following sources:

www.ashlandmillwork.com

and/or

www.infinityreplacementwindows.com

[augugliaro]

I recently had all of my windows replaced. 15 windows + 1 very large
(7 foot wide) picture window replaced. They installed Great Lakes Seabrooke model windows for $6,000 total including new capping on the outside. I went with a local window company who has been in business for over 20 years., no subcontractors they employ their own workers. I'm in PA and the winters here get very cold also. I cant say what it will do for my energy bills as I just had they installed in May. Hope this helps.

[1a2s3d4f]

I recently had all of my windows replaced. 15 windows + 1 very large
(7 foot wide) picture window replaced. They installed Great Lakes Seabrooke model windows for $6,000 total including new capping on the outside. I went with a local window company who has been in business for over 20 years., no subcontractors they employ their own workers. I'm in PA and the winters here get very cold also. I cant say what it will do for my energy bills as I just had they installed in May. Hope this helps.

augugliaro
about this post, can you tell me the specification of your glasses, the reason is that i am going to replace my glasses too and the price is about 6500. and they use lowe window i post my dimision and the price of other company at http://replacement-windows.com/windowbb ... .php?t=778
can you give me any advice with your expertise.
thank in advance.

[augugliaro]

To be honest the company measured all my windows and most of them were 33 inches wide by 36 inches tall, give or take, some were about 1 inch different. My picture window I recall to be 7 feet wide, its a monster! with small double hung windows on either side. I am no expert by any means but I did shop around and felt that going with a family owned business that has been around many years and that employs their own installers. Their installers have been with them over 15 years and the job went real smooth they completed all my windows and even installed a new rear steel door and storm door before 6:00 pm that evening! They even cleaned up after themselves! After they took out the old window they used a shop vac to vacumn the window area before they put the new window in. We are very pleased.