joey - you will not find window pricing on the internet for a couple of reasons, one of those reasons is the cost of transportation from plant to distributor,and any mark ups thereafter, cost of installation - this cost is driven by labor costs, which varies by state and region, and any overhead that the contractor must cover. The window industry is not alone in this - one that comes to mind HVAC. Try getting internet prices for a quality unit, you won't.

One word of advice - do not buy windows from the Big Blue or Big Orange!

Why would I not buy from the Big Orange? An Andersen Woodwright is an Andersen Woodwright no matter where you buy it. There are no special models made just for the big retails stores; it's the same Andersen window my installer would sell me for 250% of the Home Depot price. He'd then install it for $500+ with 2" interior casing and 3" flat exterior trim. All I would need is a different qualified installer I could trust to do a quality install, the finding of which could admittedly be the most time-consuming part of the process, unless I get a good referral. They'd have to charge $1,200 per window install (installation only) to come out at about the same price to me, so that's absolutely crazy.

Personally would not buy windows from a retailer for one reason. You just created one more party in the transaction of the project. Ideally (IMHO) it is best to have it as such - you....the contractor....and the manufacturer. Why would you want to throw a retailer into the mix?

I doubt many contractors are buying directly from Anderson. And if they are they'd have their own showroom (retail location). As you can see above, the window company has added a massive markup to a readily available window. For that kind of money I'd be looking at Marvin Ultimates or integrity's, a far better window (90% of the windows I install are Andersons, that's what most architects spec around here).

That was good advice above, ksc36. It's funny you mentioned the Marvin Ultimates because I took a trip this morning to go schedule an estimate. I've been committed to Andersen for no particular reason for a long time now, and finally decided there's no reason not to throw Marvin Ultimates into the mix and see where that price lands.

Take a look at Marvin's new double hung, they call it the Next Generation. It is a beautiful window and as I understand, it is comparably priced to the double hung they are phasing out. In my experience, it has been very competitive with the Woodwright.

I wanted to look at that, but the showroom I went to didn't have it. I asked about it, forgetting the name but mentioning the keeperless lock, and the person assisting me did not know what I was talking about, though he was very intrigued. If the Marvin Next Generation Ultimate Double-Hung is competitive with the Woodwright at the prices I'm getting that may be a no-brainer.

I just wanted to add that I did have some Marvin Ultimates Next Generation priced out and they come in lower than the Woodwrights. Of course this is not how it should be, just an indication that my original windows installer has greatly inflated charges. By the way, I got 3 Marvin quote and all were lower than the Woodwrights from my original installer.

Did you see the Next Generation? Impression?

The Next Generation was very impressive. Obviously new to the market, so hopefully no wrinkles to iron out, but that's what we decided to order. I especially like the interlocking sashes at the center rail. On the older Ultimates the seal in that area concerned me but by all appearance the Next Generations will be superior. Of course that's one of the last features they tout, mostly focusing on the automatic locking feature (window automatically locks when closed, and is capable of locking at a 4" opening (maybe 4" increments) due to the keeperless lock. There clearly must be more moving parts with this new locking system, so another minor worry, but pretty cool nonetheless and we like it because we have very young kids and even if it's not technically a WOCD I think it will serve as one. It also means that no matter how big the window you only need one locking mechanism in the center, for what that's worth. They really are more attractive than the old ones at the jambs, too, where it's now lined with more wood.

Please post pictures of the progress and the windows as I personally would love to see them.

"joeyjoey1

Why would I not buy from the Big Orange? An Andersen Woodwright is an Andersen Woodwright no matter where you buy it."

Well, because of all the times that I-as a window specialty service tech-has to go out & fix the issues that HD causes.

Like...

not including the cost of hardware & screen in the price of the door or window. Of course they're cheaper than us on the initial quote. Then after the cost of the screen & hardware, we're usually within a couple percent, if not sometimes cheaper.

not servicing the sale. Let's say you have a window you installed out of square, but are not quite sure. I can come out, diagnose it, and fix the issue within a couple days. At little charge, if any. If HD is your dealer, they have to turn it in to Andersen, then Andersen turns it over to a tech like me. Then I go out, find out the window is out of square several weeks along in the process(we're not going to make it top priority, since you're not our original customer, and will take care of ours first)-and report the problem to Andersen. They turn it back over to you as your problem(which it rightly is). Now you're further along in the process, the issue is not as easy to fix.

not going to bat for you if you are shorted product or have damaged product. If you are shorted on an order that came through us, it's suddenly our baby-and we will have a new one ordered within a day, and rushed through all appropriate channels. If you have damaged product, we will often have the right part in stock, or at least a part that will close up the house until we can get the new piece.

If you have any service issue at all, we take care of it all in-house. If it's warranty, we have all the right connections to get it addressed quickly. Guess who does HD's service, but usually after the homeowner is already irritated that it's taken so long to have someone sent out-ME.

So you'll forgive me if I scoff at your flippant attitude. I have no doubt you would be furious if your issue takes extra time to address, but would have no clue that buying through HD simply magnifies it. Your local dealer may not be the cheapest(but just might be), but you get personal service.

"bpchiil

Personally would not buy windows from a retailer for one reason. You just created one more party in the transaction of the project. Ideally (IMHO) it is best to have it as such - you....the contractor....and the manufacturer. Why would you want to throw a retailer into the mix?"

See above....

I wonder if the OP scoffs at the markup of clothing, food, medical care, or the vast majority of other things that are consumed daily that have a FAR higher margin than the meager markup found in the home improvement industry. There is a reason that this industry has one of the highest failure and complaint rates, and it is because Joe Blow thinks that since he can price out the product and assign a thoughtful but low price to what the installation labor "should" be, that his price should be pretty close to that. Double that price, and no maybe you are dealing with a company that takes the care to pay qualified installers, supports families by paying employees fair wages, has current and appropriate insurances and licensing, can afford to service the product and installation for you in the future, can market themselves to obtain future business, etc.

Those prices are not out of line at all. That is an expensive window, and a fair markup for a company that is established. If you want the bargain basement price, be prepared to add yourself to the list of VICTIMS of unscrupulous home improvement contractors when your windows are leaking water into your walls in a few years because the company used cut-rate installers to meet your desired price.

Best of luck

The OP is living in the land of oz, i dare him to buy from the big box store. The price he was quoted didnt have a screen, hardware, or energy efficient glass.

also, i hope the OP has fun ordering specific sizes from the big box stores only to be delivered window sizes that are either 6 inches too big or six inches too small. Whats he going to do then, open a window museum?

the installed prices he posted are actually very resonable, i dont know what he is complaining about. Perhaps he doesnt think he should pay for a service, is he that entitled????