In our window store, we sell new windows to Raleigh area homeowners. Oftentimes, homeowners may want to split their project into stages. They will plan to order and install some windows now, and will do the rest at a later date to save some money.
Often, homeowners will wonder what’s the best way to split their order. In this article, we’ll share with you our #1 tip for how to divide your order in a way that will make the most sense. We can almost guarantee it’s NOT the way you thought you’d do it!
Why Replacing all your Windows at Once may Actually be Less Expensive than Just Replacing Some of your Windows
Before we offer that tip, though, we want to be sure you’re thinking through a few facts that may actually make you reconsider your choice to split your window order.
1. Window Manufacturers Raise their Rates Annually
Window manufacturers increase their prices at least annually. At the height of COVID-related materials shortages, we saw some window lines increase their prices monthly.
Usually, though, you can count on at least one price increase in a calendar year.
So, unless you plan to order the rest of your windows later in the same calendar year, you may actually wind up spending more by splitting your order.
3. Installation Costs May be More if you Only Replace Some of your Windows
In this article we explained some of the reasons why windows are so expensive (LINK). Installation costs are a major factor into why windows may cost more than many homeowners expect. These costs include:
- Materials like trim, caulk, and insulation
- Transportation costs
- Dumpster fees (for disposing of your old windows)
- Installation crew member pay, plus insurance
Many of these costs will be per job, and will not necessarily be less even if you have fewer windows installed.
Thus, you can see that between these two factors, it may actually wind up costing you more overall to replace some of your windows, instead of replacing them all at once.
3. Available Window Options May Change
You should also consider the potential that a window color or even the make of window that you choose may be discontinued between your orders if you choose to replace your windows in batches.
It may wind up costing you more to try to match a certain profile, color, or hardware option that’s been discontinued than it would have cost to replace all your windows at once.
If you want to ensure consistency between all your windows, then ordering them all at the same time is the only way to guarantee this.
4. Installation Policies May Change
Splitting your window replacement project into phases means that you’ll be installing smaller groups of windows in each phase. While this is of course your goal, it’s important to remember that if your groups are too small, you may struggle to find installers who will take smaller jobs. That’s because many window companies have minimum amounts required for ordering and installation.
This can be another factor that make it more hassle to split your window replacement job into multiple, smaller phases.
If I Only Want to Replace Some of my Windows, How do I Choose Which Ones to do?
That being said, suppose you know that you want to only replace some of your windows now.
Many homeowners think they should just focus on the main rooms they use when choosing to only replace some of their windows.
Others think that they should do all the windows on the first floor first, and that their second project should be to replace all the windows on the second story.
What we actually usually recommend is that you separate your project by elevation.
In construction, the elevation of your home refers to the vertical depiction of your home. An elevation depicts how your home would be viewed by someone approaching it on the street, or in the backyard, etc.
An elevation is different from a plan (also known as a blueprint). A plan is a drawing on a horizontal plane showing a view from above.
Here is an Example of a Plan/Blueprint:
Whereas the Picture and Video Below are Both Examples of Elevations:
If you want to split your window replacement project into multiple phases, you should consider the elevation of your home. Most homeowners instantly see the problem inherent to taking a story-by-story approach to window replacement. From the street, their home will look haphazard with different window styles on the same face of the home.
We coach homeowners to look for elevation groupings that make sense as they decide how to break up their window replacement project.
For instance, suppose the front of your home has 12 windows, but the other three sides only have 10 windows combined. It likely makes the most sense to replace your windows on the front of your home first, and to do the other three sides as a separate project at a later date.
Summary
We hope that this tip has helped you if you’re trying to decide which windows to replace first.
When you’re ready to replace your windows, you want to work with professionals who will offer you sound advice throughout the process.
We love helping our customers find the windows they’ll love, and we’d love to help you, too!
Use the form below tell us about your project, and we’ll be in touch to schedule your free estimate appointment.
