Get three estimates from different companies, tell them you are shopping around for prices, do not sign no matter how much they pressure you, ask if they ever have lower price, then wait for a call back....meantime you learn a lot...

You're shopping the wrong thing if you found someone that you think will do a good job, but still won't hire them. Value is more important than price.

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Discounts are offered by retailers if a whole bunch of things line up:

1. You are a Contractor or an Installer or a Designer (someone in the biz) who will ensure a LOT of business will come their way. The retailer trades a small income for long-term sales.

2. You purchase MASSIVE amounts of the product. So much so that it makes it worth their while to do business with you. A Garden Centre with 25 Green houses is going to get a better price per window than a homeowner with 5 windows. Again, the trade off is short-term loss for moving a SHWACK of material.

3. You are BOTH a contractor AND someone who will buy HUGE amounts of product over both the short and the long term.

4. You are willing to purchase PLENTY of mismatched, clearance products that are taking up space in the warehouse and preventing more product from being brought in. Again, the retailer is trading short term pain for longer term success.

So the one thing that is clear: you need to have a LARGE order. Even as a homeowner, you can achieve a discount so long as you purchase a very substantial amount of product.

And when comparing windows, you need to understand what "level" you are purchasing. Not everyone understands that "Low-E" do NOT automatically come with high UV ratings. The "add-ons" are what will push the price up and up and up and up.

Also the thickness of the glazing and the type of the glazing also comes into play (a double glazed window can have glass that is the same thickness sandwiched together or it can have 2 different thicknesses sandwiched together for a HIGHER ACOUSTIC rating).

Then come the casings. Vinyl. Wood. Vinyl wrapped wood, etc.

When you get your two other quotes, make sure you are getting quotes on IDENTICAL options....right down to installation costs, etc.

If one company has a HIGH quote for top of the line windows, UV rating, casings and installation then you have to have the 2nd and third companies make a DIRECT comparison. Now you're cooking with fire.

Low-E is just the start. There are so many other things that drive up a quote that it is mind boggling....and yes...you can get acoustic glass. It is out there. And it is expensive. Just so you know.

Have your done your due dligence? Have you spoken to references, viewed past projects, inquired about licenses and insurance? If you are still interested after that step, speak directly with the contractor. Tell him that the quote was higher than you were expecting and ask whether there are options for changing the scope of the work, special features or scheduling which would lower the price.

Once you have raised the issue of price, see how the contractor responds. Be very wary of someone who quickly offers to drop the price when you show some resistance. That indicates that the price may have been jacked up just to be discounted. You need to decide if the premium price is buying a premium product and excellent craftsmanship.

A quality product isn't sufficient if the installation services and customer service are poor. Windows are very important to the curb appeal and interior comfort of your home so choose a supplier based on value, not just the price tag