Is this window quote fair?
Window quotes are hard to compare because two companies rarely quote the same thing. Before you look at the total, make sure each quote answers the same questions. Here is the checklist.
What every quote should name
- Brand and product series, not just "vinyl double-hung".
- Glass package: double or triple pane with low-e coating and gas fill. The quote should also show the U-factor and SHGC from the NFRC label. ENERGY STAR qualification for windows is based on U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) ratings only, and the NFRC label on every certified window lists both.
- Installation method for each opening: insert or full-frame.
- Rot repair: included, or priced per sill or per hour.
- Exterior capping and interior trim: included or extra.
- Lead-safe work for a house built before 1978. In Iowa, a company that does renovation in that housing must be certified as a lead-safe renovator firm, and at least one certified lead-safe renovator must be assigned to each job. DIAL runs the program.
- Permit if any opening changes size. The City of Des Moines' permit exemption policy (effective July 1, 2023) lets window replacement skip a building permit only when the rough opening keeps its size and the finished egress opening is not reduced. The window also must not be one the code requires for smoke control, fire separation distance or safety glazing.
- Disposal and cleanup.
- Warranty: the manufacturer's terms for glass and frame, and the installer's terms for labor, both in writing.
- Payment schedule: how much is due at signing, and when the rest is due.
Red flags
- A price that is only good if you sign tonight.
- No Notice of Cancellation attached to a contract you signed at home. The seller must give you two copies of a Notice of Cancellation with the contract, fill in the date you can cancel by, and tell you out loud about your right to cancel (Iowa Code 555A.4).
- No Iowa contractor registration number. You can look up any contractor's registration on the Iowa Labor Portal public search at laborportal.iwd.iowa.gov.
- Large deposits before the windows are even ordered.
- No U-factor anywhere on the paperwork.
Compare with published ranges
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement window, installed | $450 to $1,200, $800 average | Fixr, Jan 2026 |
| Single-story house, 10 to 15 windows | $8,000 to $12,000 | Fixr, Jan 2026 |
| Two-story house, 15 to 30 windows | $12,000 to $24,000 | Fixr, Jan 2026 |
The full cost guide breaks this down by material and style.
Questions Des Moines homeowners ask
How many window quotes should I get?
Two or three written quotes is common. More than that and the products stop being comparable. Make sure each one covers the same windows with the same method and glass.
Is a big deposit normal for windows?
Many companies take a deposit because windows are made to order. Ask what it covers and what happens to it if you cancel within the three-day period, and avoid paying most of the price before the windows arrive.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: Independently Tested and Certified Energy Performance (NFRC label)
- Iowa DIAL: Lead professional certification and lead-safe renovation (fetched October 29, 2026)
- City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center: Permit exemption policy for minor maintenance and repair (effective July 1, 2023)
- Iowa Code Chapter 555A, Door-to-Door Sales
- Iowa DIAL: Contractor Registration (fetched October 29, 2026)
- Fixr: Window Replacement Cost (updated January 21, 2026)