[graciegirl]

Has anyone had a window added to their home here? We have a Camellia with what would be a great side view of the golf course. We would like to know if anyone has added a same size window to the side of their master bedroom, or any other room for that matter? We realize we have to have the blessing of the architectural committee, but wonder how much it would cost?

Also who did it for you?

[Villages Kahuna]

As long as there ar no structural issues, it's a matter of buying the window, having a contractor cut the proper sized hole in the wall, installing the necessary framing, then popping in the window, caulking and trimming it out.

A much better quality window than are used in The Villages houses (standard size 32 by xx) costs about $500. But as I suggest, the vinyl windows used here would be much less expensive -- maybe $200-250. Then it's a matter of the cost of installation. I can't imagine that would cost more than a few man hours of labor, maybe another $200-300.

I'm guessing a total installed cost of somewhere in the range of $500-750. If anyone has experience where they cost a lot more, let us all know.

As far as who to do it -- I'd start with a call to The Villages Sunset Warranty department. They keep a list of constractors who they feel are qualified.

[Ooper]

You've got to remember that any window within 24" of a swing door has to be made of tempered glass per Florida Building Codes. That will more than double the cost of the window.

[swrinfla]

And, don't forget that that'll be an architectural change to your home, requiring TV approval. See page 6 in the phone book.

Your contractor, if he's any good, will of course do the necessary paper work for you.

SWR

[l2ridehd]

Also consider that you may have to move electrical wires if there are outlets close to where the new window would be located. I think VK's estimate is a little low, but not a lot. Probably closer to $1000 by the time everything is completed. You need to cut the hole a lot larger then the window to add a 2X8 header above the window supported by double 2X4's for each side and another across the bottom for sill reinforcement. Hole needs to be 4 inches wider than the window rough opening on each side and bottom and 10 inches wider at the top. The larger cut can be done on the inside so repairs to drywall and paint are also required, but that should avoid the need to repair siding on the outside. Go to place where they are building new homes and look at how they frame a window area to see what I mean about headers and side framing vs a standard wall frame.

[Villages Kahuna]

Good catch on what will be necessary inside the house. Cutting the hole, framing and popping in window is a pretty easy job. But a good, experienced contractor will be able to minimize the area surrounding the new window that will need to be re-drywalled and trimmed with window casing. Here in TV they use that knock-down surface on the walls. A good contractor will be able to replicate that finish. Then you'll have to have a pint or so of your original wall paint to paint the new drywall and a similar amount for the new interior window framing.

We're making this sound extremely complicated. It's really not. But a good contractor can make the job "look like it was always there" when finished.