Same Neighborhood. Similar Homes. Very Different Projects.
Two homeowners. Same street in Coral Springs. Both replacing all their windows with impact glass. Both got multiple quotes from licensed contractors. Both ended up with Miami-Dade NOA approved products installed by licensed crews.
One project came in significantly higher than the other.
Here is what was actually going on.
The Homes Looked Similar. The Projects Were Not.
On paper the homes were comparable — similar square footage, similar age, same general neighborhood.
In the field, the scope was completely different.
The first home was single-story CBS block construction with standard rectangular single-hung windows throughout. Clean openings, no water damage, straightforward permit scope. Standard aluminum frames with Low-E glass on an ES Windows line.
The second home was two stories. It had a mix of single-hung, casement, and one arched window over the front entry that required custom fabrication. Two of the existing openings had water intrusion that needed frame repair before installation could begin. The HOA required a color-matched frame finish that was not a standard option. The homeowner selected PGT WinGuard with an upgraded glass package for the primary bedroom suite facing the water.
Same neighborhood. Two completely different projects.
The Factors That Drove the Difference
Window style mix mattered. Casement windows cost more than single-hung. The arched entry required custom fabrication. The first home had neither.
Condition of existing openings mattered. Two damaged frames needed repair work before installation could proceed. That cost was invisible from the curb.
Product selection mattered. PGT WinGuard with upgraded glass versus ES Windows standard aluminum. Both excellent. One costs more.
Multi-story access mattered. Second-floor work requires more equipment and more time.
HOA requirements mattered. Custom frame finish to match existing exterior trim is available — but it is not included in a standard quote.
What This Means When You Get Your Quote
When Independence comes to your home, we are not quoting based on your zip code or your square footage. We are quoting based on your specific openings, the condition of your existing frames, your product preferences, your county's permit requirements, and your goals.
That is why we insist on an on-site consultation before we give you a number. It is the only honest way to do it.