Not familiar with Harvey but there are brands that sell to dealers or installers only. It does seem odd the contractor would tell you to provide Windows and send you there.

if there are no windows where the new ones are going the install would be a bit more involved than a typical one. Pricing is all in the details and you have almost none. Is there existing openings? Are they getting the permit? How and with what will the Windows be trimmed on each side? Are they providing all materials? Are they painting or capping the trim? What kind of siding is on the house? Is there lead based paint present? Asbestos on the siding or drywall/plaster? What about the things I didn't think of?

i would get some more bids and have the contractor supply everything and list all details. Pricing can vary a bit on a job. Like that or any job for that matter.

Yes, very common. many suppliers only price for their contractors.

the fact that your contractor requested you pick up the materials is rather odd.

perhaps he is just some guy you chose because he is cheap? Did you demand that the contractor tell you how much the window itself costs and he then told you to buy the windows yourself since he wouldnt be making money on the window. I can sort of understand that frustration.

how about choosing a guy based on his level of expertise.

Most contractors dont give a per window only cost, they give a total cost based on the scope of the work. Asking for a total breakdown is basically asking the contractot how much money he is making which isnt something most reputable contractors would ever do; i certainly wouldnt.

its the same as asking you to show the contractor your paycheck or tax return.

by having a few guys stop by, you can get an idea of how much it will cost. Thats the best way.

Would you go to a car dealership and ask how much each part cost and how much GM paid each employee in labor? Its an extreeme example but asking a contrcator how much he will make is kind of invasive.

All should give upfront pricing unless they are not understanding the scope of work or clear details are not being provided.

I do not see a problem with not breaking down labor from material. I typically don't do it and when I do it is not accurate anyways.

All the box stores would use subcontractors, I'd say the majority of window companies use subcontractors and a lot of contractors do as well.

I agree Todd, most guys i know never do it.

We are hiding the profit margin.

In my experience it is best not to separate. This can lead to problems where home owners wanting to buy materials to cut cost or feeling they are being overcharged. bidding jobs involve a bit of guess work, nothing really good usually comes from breaking down prices. I'd be more worried about not having complete details on product and install details.

Here was the description for the $2000 labor:
"new windows approx.. 24”x30” the owners will
provide and we will install including open up the walls and frame in for new
windows, provide and install new exterior trimwork to match the existing. Seal the new windows and secure. Provide and install new trim work on the
interior of the windows to match the existing as close as possible"

The quote includes a separate $600 fee for obtaining permits (I looked up my town permit costs and it is $200 for electrical permit which is all we need; heck I will apply for the permit if it saves me $400); AND another separate $650 fee/allowance for a dumpster.

This is one of the reasons breakdowns are not given. I do not understand why you would only need an electrical permit or why one would be need at all. To create a new opening a building permit would be required here.It would require detailed drawings of the work, site plan with setbacks ect. . You are already trying to cut things or do things yourself which would be a headache for me and most contractors.

I agree with the others that specific breakdowns muddy the waters. The reason most guys don't do it is NOT because they are making a ton of money and they don't want you to know that, it's really that it can LOOK like they may be when they really aren't, and because more than almost any other industry, there can be significant differences in overhead expenses from one contractor to the next. The one man show working out of the back of his pickup may have a "tail light warranty" and profit twice as much as a reputable company with staff, location, etc, yet that reputable company's end price could be twice as high even at that lower margin... Nothing dishonest about it in most cases.

The best thing you can do as mentioned above, and the way to make sure that your are keeping them honest, is getting multiple quotes from apples to apples type companies. Don't call the big company with TV commercials and a grand showroom and expect them to be anywhere close in price to the "guy" that your neighbors knows. Determine your level of comfort with risk, and compare similar companies. If your attitude is that you want the lowest cost and you are not worried about the installer being around for future service, then get a couple quotes from those guys. If maybe you have been burned in the past by situations like that and are willing to pay more for peace of mind, then compare like companies that way.

My observations on the quote that you received: 1) The price is definitely not high, sounds like maybe the lower end of the normal range for that type of work. That said, that is referring to a reputable company. 2) The fact that the guy told you to source the windows is a red flag to me. As a consumer, you want as much accountability as possible for when things go wrong, and that means the fewer people that you write checks to the better. It never fails, when there is a problem that arises, the installer blames the product and the supplier blames the install. When you source from one party that mitigates that concern a bit. I'd also be cautious about this guy's aptitude for installing windows if he does not even sell them. That is pretty odd, and another red flag.

Thanks for all the input! Re building permit the language on our town's website does not mention adding windows as something that needs a permit. Of course will double check, though setbacks aren't an issue. Will be interested to see how 2nd bid comes in.

It will be a structural alteration, so almost certainly necessary. It will likely require a drawing/plans on exactly how it will be constructed as well. On top of that, I've had these types of projects need to go before an architectural review board for approval as well, but that is typically when it is on a street facing side of the home... Almost certainly more than the simple permit charge either way, which is likely reflected in the additional $$ that he allotted to that.

You could have problems with it even on the side depending on how close to property line you are.

I would have to go through the zoning department, then plan review and then I could pull the permit. If it wAs on a historical list it gets a bit more complicated.