ROI on New Residential Windows before Move

[notforsale]

Does anyone have good data for the short-term ROI on replacing windows in a home? I'm seeing about 70% (https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2023/east-south-central/).  We will likely change homes in the next 2-3 years (at least 2 winters and 1 summer.  It can get cold where I live.), but would like to change the windows in our current home.  5 of 17 of the windows have visible seal damage that would show up on a home inspection report.  Another window has a large gap and leak.  The family room where we normally hang out also has a noticeable amount of heat loss.  The windows are currently 26 years old.

I'm thinking that due to the existing damage of the windows it would be worth it to replace them. 

Any feedback is appreciated.

[thedigitalone]

No idea on that math for the ROI, but thought I would mention IGU replacement as an option.

They can replace the sealed glass units in the existing window frames in many cases, depending on the style and installation method. 
They did our house in 2 days for about 1/5th the cost of full replacement.  No more foggy 1980's windows, new modern low-e glass all around that looks great.

[seattlecyclone]

Most improvements will not be profitable in terms of (resale value - cost of improvement). That cost/value report you linked shows this tends to be true. Quite simply: the next purchaser may be perfectly satisfied with windows that show minor damage, and getting undamaged windows would not cause them to increase their bid on the house by anywhere near the replacement cost. If that 30% difference (or whatever it ends up being in your case) is worth spending for the enjoyment you'll get out of the house before you sell, then do it. But in general the most cost-effective way to sell your house is to sell it as is. Let the next person apply their limited budget to the repairs/improvements they value most, instead of making that decision for them.

[Dicey]

No idea on that math for the ROI, but thought I would mention IGU replacement as an option.

They can replace the sealed glass units in the existing window frames in many cases, depending on the style and installation method. 
They did our house in 2 days for about 1/5th the cost of full replacement.  No more foggy 1980's windows, new modern low-e glass all around that looks great.

+1 to this. Faster, cheaper, easier than replacing entire windows. Don't call someone who only sells replacement windows. Talk to a couple of glass shops.

Our house was built in 2006. Several windows are blown, but we haven't gotten around to fixing them yet. We bought the house "as-is". We know we'll have to fix them before we sell, so we're kind of in the same boat as you.

[nereo]

Does anyone have good data for the short-term ROI on replacing windows in a home? I'm seeing about 70% (https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2023/east-south-central/).  We will likely change homes in the next 2-3 years (at least 2 winters and 1 summer.  It can get cold where I live.), but would like to change the windows in our current home.  5 of 17 of the windows have visible seal damage that would show up on a home inspection report.  Another window has a large gap and leak.  The family room where we normally hang out also has a noticeable amount of heat loss.  The windows are currently 26 years old.

I'm thinking that due to the existing damage of the windows it would be worth it to replace them. 

Any feedback is appreciated.

You did it mention what it would cost to fix them.  Typically this can be done by the homeowner for $25-50 per window if you are replacing exterior seals or adding weather stripping. Refurbishing windows  can run the gamut from about $100 to “not feasible”. Given that a decent replacement window plus installation can be around $1k per window this is the first option to explore. Window inserts or fitted storm windows are also a good option for cost-benefit.

But to address your broader question, replacing functional windows seldom have a ROI of less than a decade, and often it can be over 20 years. Replacing 17 windows will likely run between $15k-20k unless you install all of them yourself, and you might gain back a few hundred dollars annually in heating and cooling gains. How much depends on your individual home, region, and how efficient your home is elsewhere, starting with air sealing.

[Goldendog777]

I think it also depends on how easily you want the sale to go on your home. We just purchased a new home and the inspector pointed out several really bad windows. We got an estimate of $10,500 to replace them. We negotiated a credit at close and we’re ready to walk if they didn’t want to give us a concession since there were several other semi-expensive things that needed to be done to the house.

On the flip side, we had condensation on two of the windows on our old house that we replaced before we listed it because we knew the inspector would point them out. We didn’t want to deal with giving a credit or having to fix them last minute. It was taking three months from the time of order to get them installed. I find the less things you have to deal with on an inspection report, the better.

[ChpBstrd]

Two inspectors and a termite guy failed to observe that my house was completely rotted out underneath one of the bedrooms. On another house the inspector failed to notice a thumb-sized hole that was poked through the roof by a falling limb.

So I wouldn't assume the windows will cause you trouble selling the house.

[SweatingInAR]

Two inspectors and a termite guy failed to observe that my house was completely rotted out underneath one of the bedrooms. On another house the inspector failed to notice a thumb-sized hole that was poked through the roof by a falling limb.

So I wouldn't assume the windows will cause you trouble selling the house.

Agreed! Inspectors can miss all sorts of stuff. I had an inspector say "sliding glass door is stuck. Needs lubrication or roller replacement" and left it at that. If they had pulled back the curtain from the wall, they would have seen a massive crack in the drywall suggesting that the ceiling joist had sagged and was now being supported by the door!



The utility savings in the short term are likely minimal. I typically assume that no single home energy upgrade will save me more than 10% of my utility bill. That may not be the case depending on the condition of your building, the climate, and the upgrade... but seems to be a reasonable assumption for a house with average bills and nothing obviously broken.

If my average monthly bill is $100, I figure that upgrading windows will save me $10 or less per month. $120 per year, $1200 per decade. 3 years is too short of a horizon to justify the cost from this angle alone. Very few upgrades would pass this test, perhaps only going from a traditional electric to heat pump water heater.

It is not reasonable to predict if you will get the money back when you sell that far out either. If the supply of homes exceeds demand in your area, your house might be able to sell quicker than the house down the street with 26 year old windows. If demand exceeds supply and you can get multiple offers on opening weekend, then the windows may not matter at all. Trying to predict which upgrades matter 3 years from now is too hard. Its a lot like trying to time the stock market!

All that being said, I have replaced windows on a house! The other benefits that I noticed were: temperature stability in the room, reduced noise from outside (that house was near a busy road), reduced dust, and an increased willingness to open the windows when the weather was nice. Prior to window replacement I had to fight the windows open and closed so they would sometimes get stuck. Most were standard size windows that I could get off the shelf at the home improvement store so my DIY replacement cost was a couple of thousand dollars.

[notforsale]

No idea on that math for the ROI, but thought I would mention IGU replacement as an option.

They can replace the sealed glass units in the existing window frames in many cases, depending on the style and installation method. 
They did our house in 2 days for about 1/5th the cost of full replacement.  No more foggy 1980's windows, new modern low-e glass all around that looks great.

Excellent idea.  Not sure we'll go this route, but a great consideration.  It's hard to believe the window salesman didn't mention this option, haha.

[notforsale]

Most improvements will not be profitable in terms of (resale value - cost of improvement). That cost/value report you linked shows this tends to be true. Quite simply: the next purchaser may be perfectly satisfied with windows that show minor damage, and getting undamaged windows would not cause them to increase their bid on the house by anywhere near the replacement cost. If that 30% difference (or whatever it ends up being in your case) is worth spending for the enjoyment you'll get out of the house before you sell, then do it. But in general the most cost-effective way to sell your house is to sell it as is. Let the next person apply their limited budget to the repairs/improvements they value most, instead of making that decision for them.

That's a really good point.  If we end up replacing the windows, it should ultimately be for our enjoyment.  Different people have different priorities when it comes to anything, including home renovations.

[notforsale]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!  It's priceless to get another perspective.  I'm not completely sold yet, but we are leaning toward replacing the windows.

[Cranky]

We have replaced the windows in two previous houses. In both cases they were 60 year old leaky single paned sash windows.

In neither case did we see noticeable energy savings, though the house was less drafty. The windows looked better and were easier to clean.

So I’d say that replacing windows is expensive and a nice upgrade, but you’re not going to get that money back.

[GuitarStv]

The thing that we noticed most after replacing old/leaky windows was a reduction in sound from outside.

[simonsez]

Echoing others - glad we replaced a few windows for the noise reduction, the improved look, the temp stability/increased efficiency, and ease to open/close them.  Sounds pretty stupid and I don't know how to quantify it in terms of $ (for the purposes of a ROI calculation) but we did use the windows more after they were replaced.  The old ones were a PITA to open and close.  In the fall and spring we wouldn't open windows up for the free breeze and pleasant temperatures nearly as often compared to now.  Granted this was only two windows and a mid 3 figure outlay.

[yachi]

So I’d say that replacing windows is expensive and a nice upgrade, but you’re not going to get that money back.

Our neighbors replaced their windows.  Likely with ones sold by a door to door salesman (I was complaining about the salesman when they told us).  They recently moved out and sold the house to a flipper for at least $45K under value.  I'm not sure why it wasn't sold conventionally, but it would mess up the data on windows because of the low sales price.

Sounds pretty stupid and I don't know how to quantify it in terms of $ (for the purposes of a ROI calculation) but we did use the windows more after they were replaced.

We would likely do this too.  As it is some of the windows need supported because the balances broke, and others rub a lot.  Sometimes I worry about lead paint when we open ones that grind paint on surfaces, but we've never had blood work come back with any lead concerns, so that's likely an overblown worry.

I used to work for a home improvement store, and I've done light residential construction.  I should be badass enough to replace the windows myself with good ones, but I havent.

[sonofsven]

I have installed a lot of windows, and rebuilt old sash, but I have no idea of the ROI.
I have generally replaced/repaired them when they need replacement or repairs.
Be wary of who you buy them from. I get mailers all the time urging me to replace all my windows for a fabulous deal that I'm sure is a complete rip off.
Quality carpenters don't resort to slimy sales tactics.
I have not been impressed by some of the replacement jobs I have seen.
Get references and go look at them.