Need some help/advice, have considerations to make.

[TheOriginalJames]

So I'm installing this phone system at this windows, doors, garage doors/openers place and I got to talkin with one of the sales guys... yeah i know...

We started talking about windows and garage doors and how mine is off center, turns out it's not really that uncommon and I mentioned that when I first bought the house it would go up and down on it's own. I don't want to fuck with it and it's old. Hell the remote fell apart.

I know they can put in openers for 310 installed, but the problem is that the doors themselves need replaced.

hmmm....

So then we start talking about windows. I have 14 windows in the house and at least 3 of them desperately need replaced. He off the top of his head quoted me 7 grand, at 7% interest on a loan, it's like 7500ish at 60 months thats around 125 a month.

My brother got a quote from another place for 7 windows at 3500. So they're about on par with each other.

Considering my gas bill was 150 bucks in march because of the furnace, would it be a wise investment to try for a loan to get these windows replaced? I can put glass screen in my screen door (which has nothing in it) from home depot.

I've already talked with Brian about this and barring that I get a second part time job to cover my ass with other bills, I think he's willing to take on a little extra (like the tv bill persay) to help me make things end meet so we aren't spending both arms and 8 toes on the heating bill. On top of that, my insurance dropped 40% for August.

I don't think I can do anything like pulling equity from the house or refinancing until the end of August.

However, if and when I can I could always do so and pay off the personal loan in the process.

So anyway, what I'm wondering is if any of you have replaced windows (preferably you who live where it gets between 0-32 in the winters and have seen large amounts of snowfall), how much did your savings on your heating and cooling bill net you?

 

[TheLightedPath]

Can't help you when it comes to the difference on the heating bill, but the cooling I can tell you helps alot. It gets 100-115 here easy right now and the difference between the cooling between our old windows and new are huge. Then again our windows were like 20 years old compared to the ones we have now. As for the cost difference I can't really say that either because we changed the air conditioner at the same time because the one we used before was using too much power. I do know that the a/c isn't on nearly as much this summer as it was the last summer though.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

yeah, the AC I have is central so it uses a lot of energy too. If anything I'd love to get the upstairs windows redone first. That'll help in the summer quite a bit, if I do them all at once it'll help year round.

 

[Tim]

What type of windows are you planning on getting? Vinyl replacement windows? If so, then you should only be paying about $140-$200 per window depending on type and size. 7 windows for less than $1,400 total. As far as installation goes... since you've never done it before, it will take about an hour for the first window, then the rest should be about 30 minutes each. It really is a waste of money to have them installed when you are handy with a hammer, screw gun and caulk gun. That's all you really need to replace a window. Trust me, you will kick yourself in the ass if you pay $1,000 per window once you see how fucking simple it is to replace them yourself. You can start with 1 or 2 windows and replace them as you get the money... it will save you from another loan.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

I don't know what type they are, I didn't get that far into the conversation. But according to the estimation they're about 500 each. Less if installation is added into that 7k.

actually he showed me a quote for someone else at 12 windows for around 6500, so they're about 3-400 per window.

I have looked into simple 200 dollar replacement windows which bring the efficiency up to par, but don't insulate against UVs and actually help to save more money on top of it. I'm really not that handy either. lol I would love to do it, but professional installation from a client of ours sounds good to me.

I also didn't inquire into payment plans if they can do that.

 

[dt3]

I think everybody should have windows. Can I have some change for my 2 cents?

 

[Tim]

The price I was quoting was for 7/8" insulated low-e glass, anything else is wasting your money. You won't get any savings with UV coated glass unless you live in a very hot environment like AZ. The lumber yards get these windows from anywhere between $70 - $140 for a typical window size, places that are charging more than $250 are raping you.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

That's the cost of doing business, everyone marks things up. They just paid us 7 grand for a used phone system and 350 for a 13th phone... lol

I dunno I'll get more information.

 

[Tim]

It's easier to replace a window than it is to replace your brakes. The window units come completely assembled, you remove the old sash's and slip the whole unit in. It goes in with 4 screws total.

 

[Tim]

Hell, 7 grand for 7 windows installed... I'll drive up there and do it in an afternoon for a quick $5,000 profit.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

They quoted 7k for 14 windows, disincluding my giant ass picture window.