Windows, Where do you buy them?
I usually do my own rentals and traditionally have bought American Craftsman Series 70 (Home Depot) or Lowe's ThermaStar by Pella. Typically windows run me $200-$300 for these entry level double-hung, low-e, with half screens. Reading J Scott's book on estimating rehab costs I see his "high" costs of replacement windows at $420 ($110 labor, $300 materials) per window tends to fall in line with what I see from Window World or Windows R Us quotes when I have gotten them. What I am astonished by is his $175 "low" cost ($75 labor, $100 materials). My question is, where are people getting $100 vinyl windows? Is there a magic window genie out there I don't know about? Do I need to take my contractor's license to ABC Supply or similar place to get wholesale pricing?