Window Shopping

I'm looking for new windows for my house. My current windows are aluminum-framed single-pane windows. They leak heat like a sieve. All the screens are missing, too, so if I want to open the windows, I'm opening my home to everything that flies through the air.

Over the last couple of months, I've been gathering estimates from different companies. Here's what I've got so far:

New Transitions, LLC, St. Charles, MO - $3,838 for seven CertainTeed windows, including installation and removal and replacement of awnings outside. The company's owner, Bryan, came by my house when he was in the neighborhood, and gave me a free estimate. Very professional and extremely friendly, and I may be willing to pay more to support a locally-owned company.

Champion Windows - $4,200 for seven Champion Comfort 365 windows, plus an extra $279 for removing and replacing the awnings. Of all the products I've seen, this was my favorite, but I'm not totally convinced the extra cost is worth it. Additionally, the salesman respected my intelligence and was totally on the ball -- every question I asked, he answered without hesitation. And I asked lots of questions (I was at their showroom for two hours). He almost gave me too much information on their company and their product.

Drunk contractor at a bar - $1,900 for seven Cardinal windows. However, this guy didn't even take a look at my house, much less measure the windows, so I'm sure this would end up in court. I won't be using him.

Lowes - $1,650 for Wellcraft windows plus $139 per window for installation. Total job cost: about $2,800. The Lowes price was originally $1,900 plus installation, but the guy at the millworks desk made some money-saving adjustments on my large living room window (it's 96" wide and 48" high) and called me back later with the adjusted price. I really appreciated that he kept working on my estimate for a couple of hours after I left the store. However, I am concerned about the quality of the windows. Are windows from Lowes as good as windows from other sources?

Thomas Construction - this one was downright funny. The guy spent all of ten minutes at my house because Doc, my senile and normally docile dog, would not let him come inside. So the guy measured a couple of windows (not all of them) and came back to the door with a number scribbled on his business card. $11,394. However, he said that if I signed a contract before he left, they could do the job for $6,800. I told him that wouldn't be necessary, and I wouldn't waste any more of his time.

I can't believe that people really fall for the high-pressure sales tactics of Thomas Construction. They must, otherwise, Thomas wouldn't be able to stay in business. I guess St. Louis is full of suckers who will pay over $1,000 per window without considering alternatives. Obviously, I'm not one of those people.

I've received four estimates already, and plan to get at least two more, from Dalco and Window World. I may even get a few more after that.