The short answer
Fixr puts the average replacement window at about $800 installed, with a typical range of $450–$1,200 and an extended range of $300–$3,000 per window. Labor alone runs about $150–$300 for smaller windows and up to $800 for large bay or bow units.
Multiply by your window count and you have a rough budget. Twelve windows at Fixr's typical range works out to about $5,400–$14,400, but frame material and window type swing it a lot, as the tables below show.
Cost by frame material
Installed, per window. The second column comes from search summaries of other national guides and is less certain about which guide said what.
| Material | Fixr range | Other national guides |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $200–$800 | $175–$1,000 |
| Vinyl | $350–$800 | $200–$1,500 |
| Composite | $300–$2,500 | n/a |
| Fiberglass | $400–$1,500 | $400–$2,000 |
| Wood | $600–$2,000 | $800–$3,800 |
Manufacturer pricing can run higher. Pella's own by-material figures put vinyl at $800–$1,600 and fiberglass and wood at $1,100–$2,200+ per window, likely reflecting full-service pricing. For how frame materials compare in use, start with vinyl windows.
Cost by window type
| Window type | Fixr range per window, installed |
|---|---|
| Single-hung | $250–$700 |
| Double-hung | $300–$1,000 |
| Awning | $300–$800 |
| Picture | $300–$1,600 |
| Casement | $400–$1,200 |
| Sliding | $700–$1,500 |
| Bay | $900–$4,500 |
| Garden | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Bow | $1,500–$8,000 |
Projecting units like bay, bow and garden windows cost more because they involve more glass, a roof or seat board, and more labor.
Retrofit vs full-frame installation
How the window goes in matters as much as what you buy. A retrofit sets the new window into the existing opening and leaves the stucco alone. Full-frame removes the old frame entirely, which means cutting and patching stucco.
| Method | Rough range per window (low confidence) |
|---|---|
| Retrofit / insert | About $300–$700, or $350–$1,100 for mid-tier vinyl |
| Full-frame | About $500–$1,500, or $550–$1,700 |
These come from calculator and contractor sites, not the major guides, so treat them loosely. Those sources put full-frame at roughly 1.5 to 2 times an insert. More on the choice in retrofit windows.
Sliding doors and glass-only repairs
Sliding glass doors
National guides put sliding glass door replacement at $1,000–$7,500, about $2,510 on average. By frame for double-pane sliders: vinyl $1,500–$3,000, aluminum $2,000–$4,000, wood $2,500–$5,000, fiberglass $3,000–$6,000. See sliding glass door replacement.
Glass only
If the frame is fine and only the sealed glass unit has failed (fogging between panes, a crack), glass replacement averages about $250–$1,000, with standard double-pane glass at roughly $150–$400 per panel. These figures come from a search summary and should be re-checked against a quote. Title 24 treats glass-only work as a repair, so the new-window energy limits don't apply. See window glass replacement.
Permit and planning fees
Permit fees depend on the jurisdiction and the job, and most aren't published as a flat window fee. Here's what's known:
- City of Sacramento planning exemption (form CDD-0187): $132.00, submitted through the Public Permit Portal, for qualifying window and door changes. It needs a floor plan, a window schedule and photos, and it can't be used in historic districts. This is separate from the building permit.
- City of Sacramento building permit: the city's window guidelines (CDD-0327) expect a permit application with a scope-of-work statement. The fee isn't listed on those forms.
- Sacramento County (unincorporated areas): a permit has been required to replace windows, including retrofits, since January 1, 2010. Permits are filed through the county's Accela portal.
- Other cities: check with the local building division; local building departments generally expect a permit for this work.
Ask each installer whether the permit fee is included in the quote or billed separately.
What drives the price
- Frame material: aluminum and vinyl at the low end, wood at the high end.
- Window type and size: operable and projecting windows cost more than fixed picture units of similar size.
- Install method: full-frame adds labor and stucco repair.
- Glass package: a 2026 replacement in the Sacramento area must meet U-0.27 and SHGC-0.23 under Title 24, unless the job is 75 sq ft of glass or less (U-0.40 / SHGC-0.35).
- Hidden repairs: rot or water damage found when the old window comes out.
- Lead-safe work: homes built before 1978 require EPA RRP lead-safe practices for window replacement, which adds setup and cleanup.
- Egress changes: enlarging a bedroom window means cutting the wall and possibly a header.
Incentives won't offset much right now. The federal 25C tax credit ended for windows installed after December 31, 2025, and SMUD lists rebates for heat pumps and insulation but none for windows at the moment.
Paying for the job: California contract rules
- California law allows a deposit capped at the lower of $1,000 or one-tenth of the job price (finance charges excluded).
- You have three business days to cancel a home improvement contract. If you're 65 or older, the right to cancel is five days on contracts entered since January 1, 2021.
- Check the contractor's license (C-17 Glazing, or B General Building on a multi-trade job) at cslb.ca.gov before signing.
For what happens after you sign, read our window installation guide, or go back to window replacement in Sacramento.
Main guide: window replacement in Sacramento.