Vinyl
$450–$900 / window
- Lowest cost, and the choice for about 70% of U.S. replacements
- No painting or sealing to keep up with
- Good energy efficiency with Low-E glass
- Fewer color choices; can warp in extreme heat
Build your estimate
Pick how many windows, the type, the size, and extras first. Then add your details below and your rough range — with the math behind it — appears right here. The per-window rates are installed prices, labor and materials together, from national 2026 cost guides.
Get real bids on these windows →
Already have a quote? Get a $19 Bid Review — a written verdict before you sign.
Please read this before budgeting: this is a rough planning estimate, not a quote, bid, or promise of price. No contractor has seen your windows, and Lakeshore Bid Check does not install windows. The only number that counts is a written bid from an installer who priced your project — which is exactly what the next section helps you get, fairly.
Vinyl, wood, or fiberglass? The honest trade-off
Frame material is the single biggest lever in the estimate above — more than the style of window. Here is how the three most common frames compare.
Wood
$900–$1,800 / window
- Classic look, best natural insulator of the three
- The pick for historic homes and HOAs that require it
- Needs repainting or resealing over time
- Highest material cost of the common frames
Fiberglass
$800–$1,600 / window
- Expands with temperature almost like glass, so seals last longer
- Strongest frame, very low maintenance
- Excellent energy performance in cold climates
- Premium price, fewer style options than vinyl
Why real bids for the “same” windows come in thousands apart
Here is the trap this estimate cannot save you from: you get three bids for five vinyl double-hung windows, they are $1,000+ apart, and they look like they are for the same job. Usually they are not. Each installer quietly assumed different things:
| Line item | Bid A — $4,800 | Bid B — $3,900 |
|---|---|---|
| Install method | Full-frame replacement | Insert (pocket) install |
| Old window disposal | Included | Not mentioned |
| Glass package | Low-E, argon-filled | Standard double-pane |
| Trim | New interior + exterior trim | Reuse existing trim |
| Warranty | 20-year manufacturer + 5-year labor | 1-year labor only |
Illustrative example. Bid B is not necessarily a bad bid — it is a different job. You cannot tell which one you would actually get until both installers price the identical written scope.
From ballpark to bids you can actually compare
Lakeshore Bid Check’s same-scope method fixes the problem above before the bids ever come in.
1
You share your project
Your window count, type, size, and extras — the same details you just entered — plus photos of your current windows.
2
One written scope
Lakeshore writes up one clear scope sheet and sends the identical sheet to every bidder. Same windows, same glass, same extras.
3
Bids come back apples-to-apples
Every installer prices the same job, so a lower number actually means a lower price — not missing work.
4
Side-by-side comparison
You get the bids lined up side by side with the differences and red flags flagged, so you can choose with confidence.
Get real, comparable window bids
Starting at $99 — one flat service, paid by you, the homeowner
- Scope sheet preparation, sent identically to every bidder
- Side-by-side bid comparison with red-flag check
- You hire and pay the contractor directly — Lakeshore adds nothing to the contractor’s price and takes no fee from the contractor
- Serving West Michigan: Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Zeeland, Muskegon, Grand Rapids & nearby
Start an inquiry — 2 minutes →
Email lakeshorebidcheck@gmail.com
Tell us your town, how many windows, and the type — we’ll take it from there. Not sure yet? Send the email anyway; questions are free.
Quick questions
Is this estimate a quote?
No. It is a planning range built from national average installed rates for 2026 (vinyl double-hung $450–$900 per window, wood $900–$1,800, fiberglass $800–$1,600) plus the options you picked. A quote only exists when an installer prices your specific windows, in writing.
Why is the range so wide?
Because real window jobs are. Within one type, price moves with brand and glass package, whether the install is insert or full-frame, the condition of your existing frames, and how many windows you do at once. A wide honest range is more useful than a fake-precise number — and it is exactly why comparing bids on one shared scope matters.
Insert install or full-frame replacement — what is the difference?
An insert (pocket) install fits the new window into your existing frame — cheaper and faster, but only if the frame is sound. A full-frame replacement removes everything down to the studs and costs 40–100% more, but it is the right call when frames are rotted or out of square. It is one of the line items the same-scope sheet pins down so every bidder handles it the same way.
Does the estimate include rotted frame repair?
No. Rot is found once the old window comes out, and repair is priced separately — which makes it a classic reason two bids split. The scope sheet asks bidders to state how they price rot repair up front, so it does not become a surprise change order.
Who installs the windows?
Not Lakeshore Bid Check. Lakeshore is an independent, homeowner-paid bid-comparison service — not a licensed contractor. It prepares the scope, lines up the bids side by side, and flags problems. You choose the installer, hire them directly, and pay them directly.
What if I already have a quote?
Use the $19 Bid Review — send the quote you already have and get a short written verdict within a day: is the price fair, what is missing, and what to ask before you sign.