New Windows!
As part of our ongoing home renovation, one of the key updates we've been looking forward to is replacing the windows. The existing windows were old and energy-inefficient. After some careful research, we decided to purchase new windows through Paso Robles Glass, a local company known for its quality products and excellent customer service.
The decision to replace the windows wasn’t just about aesthetics. The original windows were single-paned, not energy efficient, and didn’t meet current fire code requirements. This was a serious concern, especially with rising energy costs and the heightened awareness of fire safety in California.
Looking into Rebate Programs
While researching the project, I tried to find rebates or programs that could help offset the cost of the new windows, but unfortunately, no such rebates were available in California at the time. I did, however, discover that there are rebates for upgrading other systems in the home, like water heaters, furnaces, and converting fireplaces to gas. The catch? You need to be very specific with the brand and model of these appliances to qualify for the rebates.
Choosing Paso Robles Glass
We received two bids for the window replacement, both offering similar pricing and products. However, we ultimately chose Paso Robles Glass after a glowing recommendation from a fellow realtor who described their work as “outstanding.” Their customer service has lived up to the hype—they’ve been easy to work with and kept us informed throughout the process. We also decided to go with them because they were full-service and would install and discard of the original windows.
Wait times for custom windows are long! We placed our order in September, and the windows are set to be installed in November. When thinking about replacing windows, have the conversation earlier than later!
Reimagining Our Backyard and Adding a Sliding Glass Door
One unique quirk of our home when we purchased it was that there was no direct access to the backyard from inside the house—you had to go through the garage. Originally, the backyard was positioned behind the house, but the fence was in poor condition and completely missing on one side. This led us to rethink the layout, and we decided to relocate the backyard to the side of the house, making it more functional and accessible.
To create this new flow, we decided to replace the window to the left of the fireplace with a sliding glass door, providing direct access from the house to the soon-to-be new yard. We ordered the sliding door from Paso Robles Glass along with the windows, but the company doesn’t handle the framing work for the door, so we needed a contractor for that.
The first bid we received to frame out the door was $2,500, with the potential for additional unknown expenses since the contractor couldn't be sure what was behind the drywall. Not wanting to risk unexpected costs, we called in a favor with our neighbor, who happens to be a skilled handyman. He had an afternoon off, and together we completed the project for just $100 in materials and $300 in labor—a huge savings compared to the original bid.
Lesson Learned: Find a Great Handyman!
This was one of the best decisions we’ve made in our remodel so far. It goes to show how helpful it can be to have a neighbor with the right skills—sometimes the simplest solutions can save you a lot of time and money!
Cost Summary:
Deposit for Windows: $6,800
Final install bill for Windows: $4,290
Total cost for new windows & door: $11,090
