How to Calculate Window Price: The Professional's Guide

Step-by-step guide to pricing windows accurately. Learn the formula, the variables, and the pitfalls that separate professional estimators from guesswork.

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The Real Window Pricing Formula

Four cost blocks make up every window price. Miss one and you either lose the job or lose the margin.

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1. Frame Material Cost

Calculate profile length (perimeter + mullions + transoms) × price per metre for your chosen system. Different profile systems have different prices — a Rehau frame costs more than a budget profile but carries better warranty.

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2. Glass Cost

Glass area (width × height − frame coverage) × price per m² for your glass specification. Double-glazed argon Low-E runs 2-3× the price of basic float glass. Spacer choice (warm-edge vs aluminium) adds further cost.

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3. Hardware & Consumables

Locks, hinges, handles, gaskets, seals, and fixings. Often underestimated at the quote stage — a single handle can cost £15-60 depending on brand and finish. Multiply across all windows.

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4. Labour + Overhead + Margin

Fabrication hours × hourly rate + install hours × field rate + your overhead allocation + target margin. Most underpricing happens here — contractors forget to include workshop overhead or set margin too low for project risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the simple formula for window price?
Window price = (frame material + glass + hardware) × 1 + (labour hours × rate) + overhead allocation + margin. Rule of thumb: materials are ~50-60% of sell price, labour ~20-25%, overhead ~10%, margin ~15-20%. If your quote doesn't hit these ratios, something is wrong.
How do I price a non-standard window size?
Scale the formula proportionally but add a complexity uplift. Non-standard sizes take longer to fabricate (more setup time per unit) and often have higher material waste. A 5-10% complexity premium on sizes outside your standard tooling is normal in the industry.
Should I include VAT in the quoted price?
Depends on your market. UK trade quotes exclude VAT (net pricing); UK retail quotes include VAT. EU retail generally includes VAT. Be explicit on the quote document — ambiguity costs sales and creates invoice disputes. Doorwin lets you toggle both formats per quote.
How often should I update my pricing?
Raw material prices (PVC, aluminium, glass) can move 5-15% in a quarter. Review base costs monthly, adjust your sell prices at least quarterly. Automated software like Doorwin re-runs every open quote when you update a base cost — manual spreadsheet methods rarely catch up in time.

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