Materials prices in Missouri-can I get some windows!?

Question

Hi all-

I'm testing the waters to see if my contractors are missing something. My partner and I are looking for windows for a duplex in South City and being told the lead time is a few months and that each window could be 1k... for 35" by 45" vinyl original construction windows? Tell me I'm missing something. I haven't been ordering materials for a few months but wow!

Are materials prices really that bad?

What are the workarounds you guys are finding for expensive materials these days?

Happ BPing, thanks for reading/replying.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

Prices are high everywhere due to two reasons.

1. Housing prices have skyrocketed, which means new construction and rehabbed properties are selling a premium. This is encouraging more building and rehab, which puts strains on supply.

2. COVID has constrained supply. Factories reduced production of everything during COVID getting ready for a recession type environment that never appeared. Some factories were shut down due to COVID itself affecting work force. Some component materials are in short supply, so raw components may be more expensive or in short supply.

Your best bet may be looking for something in stock at a big box store. That may require modifying the opening size, but that may be faster or cheaper than waiting for custom windows.

Sue Hough · Answer

@Jason Sinclair I have been a builder for 20+ years and the supply chain issues as a result of Covid have created a logistical nightmare which I have never seen, nor have any of my fellow builders.  Just a few items; lumber prices are up 325%, conduit is up 50%, any product which is produced with materials from one country and assembled in a different country is taking 3x the normal lead time, at best.  For the past month drywall mud is out of stock in many locations due to a latex shortage.

So creativity is my only ally and I hope this little tidbit can help you; If at all possible find stock windows at a local store and modify the openings at your current location to fit.  If you are only an inch or two off you can hide that with a larger interior casing and same for the outside.  Easier, less expensive and faster.

Good luck...someday we will look back on this and laugh :)

Greg Franck · Answer

@Jason Sinclair Seems excessive but also not certain what brand the windows you are looking at, the warranty, construction, tempered / non tempered, double hung vs single hung....  Point is a lot can drive the price up to that figure.  I ordered new windows for a 4 family a few weeks ago, went with a quality mid grade double hung vinyl window with a lifetime glass break warranty for about $400 installed. The catch is that it is about 6-8week to get the order. As the others have stated as well your pricing seems high so shop it. However the lead time seems right unfortunately. Look at the bright side, at least you can spread out the cash outlay for the project!

Andre Taylor · Answer

DOuble back on @Dan Stehr comment.. I as well am paying around $330 per window and the lead time has been crazy. I got the rest of my windows installed yesterday and I order them back in early April.

Dan Stehr · Answer

I am currently paying around $330 per window installed in St. Louis.  The problem is the lead time.  It is currently around 3 months where it used to only be about 2 weeks.  If you need any local referrals let me know.

Jason Sinclair · Answer

Thank you for the idea! Some things sound so obvious when you hear them but as you are too close to the trees you can't see the forest! Thanks for the response!

Joe Ruder · Answer

Just an Idea,  it might be worth checking habitat for humanity Restore.

Jason Sinclair · Answer

Wow! BP community to the rescue!! My contractor is conveniently doing the siding as well so we're modifying the window size by half inch to get some big box store windows in, now we're just waiting on the siding! :p Thanks so much everyone!

Materials prices in Missouri-can I get some windows!?

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