It’s a pane in the glass if you hire the wrong person for your window repairs
Drafts, leaks, gathering condensation, and unsightly cracked panes are all common window problems. When the budget is tight and your window still works, it’s tempting to hold off on repairs. But this can lead to more “pane-ful” problems, including security issues, higher energy bills, mold ingress, and increased window repair costs.
But is it appropriate to hire a budget-friendly handyperson for window repairs? Read on to find out why the answer isn’t always clear cut.
A handyperson near you can confidently tackle minor drafty window repairs such as weather stripping or recaulking, adjusting hinges, replacing a single cracked pane, or other straightforward jobs. It saves you the time and hassle of doing it yourself and will cost less than hiring a general contractor or window specialist. The average cost to hire a handyperson is $50 to $150 per hour.
These jacks-of-all-trades could also tackle other odd jobs you’ve been putting off, offering you a discount for doing them all at once. It’s common to call a handyperson to paint window frames, clean gutters, install a washing machine, or pressure wash your driveway.
Not sure whether you need a handyperson or a contractor to fix your window? General contractors might have the skill to tackle more in-depth window repairs, but they typically manage large-scale renovation or home-build projects involving various subcontractors. They might not be keen to take on a one-off window repair, and if they do, you could end up paying more than a handyperson. While general contractors charge an average daily rate of $300 to $500, this is for longer-term projects. Their hourly rates for smaller projects will be higher.
Hiring a window repair professional near you is the best option for more complex window repairs like replacing rotting frames, reglazing windows, or working with large, unusually shaped, or specialist glass or frames.
Window repair specialists can also spot if the issue is more complex than you think and will advise when window replacement is a better long-term investment rather than a patch-up job. Sometimes, window warranties only remain valid if you hire an approved specialist to complete any repairs—you risk invalidating it by hiring a handyperson.
How a handyperson or window repair specialist tackles the job depends on the type of window repair required. They’ll need to inspect the damage and possibly order parts. The repair itself could take an hour to a full day, depending on the complexity of the problem and the window's size and style. Some common window repairs include:
Replacing or fixing cracked window glass
Fitting new weatherproofing to prevent moisture and air ingress
Fixing or replacing window tracks
Replacing hardware
Rebuilding rotting or warping window frames
Replacing exterior window flashing
The average cost of window repairs ranges from $175 to $635. How much you pay depends on the window size, frame material, accessibility, type of repair, extent of the damage, and who completes the work. You might pay $75 to have a handyperson handle a basic cosmetic window frame repair or $800 for a window repair specialist to replace a large rotted frame.
When old window repairs are extensive, replacing them might be a better long-term investment. The average cost to replace a single window is $750.
If the frame just needs fine-tuning and you’re a handy homeowner with the right tools, you might not need to hire anyone for window repairs. Simple jobs like caulking a window to reduce drafts, repairing a double-hung window that won’t stay up, or adding weather stripping to fix window condensation are DIY-friendly projects that cost less than $50.
If you can’t identify the issue causing your leaking window, you need a ladder to reach it, or the repair is more technical, calling the pros is safer. Changing glass panes is delicate and potentially dangerous work. If you fit windows incorrectly, they can move, let in drafts, and compromise the frame, leading to more expensive repairs.
