Inexpensive doors and windows

[Calvin Thomas]

Need some recs on what to do with a building I have which needs a 30 + windows and 6 doors.  The doors at Home Depot are pretty reasonable.  However, the windows I price out just about anywhere are near 400.00 a window (installed).  Any suggestions on where I can seek out less expensive windows?

[James Wheeler]

If you are working with a contractor my advice is to negotiate. Everything is negotiable. I would say something like you can understand their rates and if there were only one or two windows that might be reasonable however this job is a larger operation and as they are effectively sub-contracting this you expect a discounted rate. Then I would see what they say. Whatever they offer, thank them and let them know that you will get back to them in 48 hours. Make them sweat a bit... when you call them, explain that you have had a couple of offers on the job and were wondering if they are flexible on their pricing... or offer them a rate you think is fair for the job, let's say $280 / window installed (arbitrary number), $8400 for the job. If they come back, let's say at $300 you would counter with, "alright, that could work... IF you can start tomorrow and be done by the end of the week..." Remember time is money and they need to see the need to hurry, heck if they take your offer you could "sweeten" it when negotiating start and end times by offering a "bonus" for early completion. 

There are only three ways to get what you want in life... Negotiate, Negotiate and Negotiate...

Also... you might want to let them know that as an investor you frequently need contractors for jobs and that if they are doing great work (and price is insinuated) then you would call on them in the future... oh, and they will also understand that investors have friends who are also investors...