How to Quote Window Replacement in Australia
A window swap sounds like a two-hour job until the old frame is set in brickwork and the flashing's shot. Here's how to quote window replacement so removal, glass and the extras are all priced in.
A window replacement looks like a straight swap — pull the old one, drop the new one in. Then the frame turns out to be steel set in brick, the lintel's sagging, and the reveals need rebuilding. The quotes that lose money price the window and forget the removal, the flashing and the skip. This guide covers measuring, frame and glass costs in 2026, labour, and the extras that quietly catch tradies out.
Start with the measure and the opening
A solid window quote starts on site, not on the phone. Don't just measure the glass — measure the full opening and read the surrounding structure, because that's what sets the removal cost:
- Measure the full opening — height and width in at least three spots, and order to the smallest to catch an out-of-square opening.
- Existing frame material — timber, aluminium or steel, which dictates how hard the old unit is to remove.
- Wall construction — brick veneer, cavity brick or weatherboard, each with different flashing and fixing needs.
- Lintel condition — any sag or damage above the window is structural work to flag or price.
- Site access — a second-storey opening needing scaffolding is a different job to a ground-floor swap.
Allow $80–$120 per window in time for the initial site visit and measure. Getting within 5mm on a custom order depends on it — a rushed measure guarantees headaches and lost margin down the track.
Frame and glass costs in 2026
Frame material and opening style drive the supply cost. Aluminium is the affordable, durable default in Australia; uPVC costs more but performs far better thermally; timber looks the part but needs maintenance. As a supply-only guide for a standard 1200 x 900mm window:
| Window | Supply cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium sliding | $350–$500 | Affordable, less thermally efficient |
| uPVC awning | $600–$900 | Best thermal performance |
| Custom size or colour | +20–30% | Longer lead time on top of frame price |
Glass is the other big lever, and some of it isn't optional. Toughened safety glass is mandatory for wet areas, doors and low-level windows (AS/NZS 2208), and Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings can force specific glass and frames too:
| Glass | Cost | When it's needed |
|---|---|---|
| Float glass | ~$100 | General use, where permitted |
| Toughened safety | $250–$300 | Wet areas, doors, low windows (AS/NZS 2208) |
| Double glazing | +20–40% | Thermal and acoustic performance |
Working out the labour
Labour hangs on how hard the old window is to get out and how much rectification the opening needs afterwards. A like-for-like swap in a sound timber frame might take two tradies 2–4 hours; a steel or aluminium frame set in brickwork that needs cutting or grinding can easily double that. At $90/hour each, a simple install is $360–$720 in labour before any surprises. Factor in:
- Removing and disposing of the old window and any damaged flashing.
- Flashing, sealing and weatherproofing the new unit.
- Internal rectification — adjusting plaster reveals and architraves where frame depths change.
- Site access — scaffolding or a tricky second-storey opening adds real hours.
- Clean-up and a final quality check on every unit.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Quoting off outdated prices. Glass and aluminium prices fluctuate. Pull current supplier pricing before you finalise anything — last month's figure can cost you the job's profit.
- Underestimating removal. Getting an old frame out without wrecking the surrounding brickwork can turn into an hour of careful cutting and chiselling. Price the removal, not just the install.
- Missing hidden structural issues. Rot, rust, termite damage or water ingress hide until the window's out. Inspect thoroughly and flag anything you find before you commit to a price.
- Leaving out waste disposal. Old frames and debris need a skip. Absorb it into your hourly rate and you're paying to take away the customer's old windows.
- Skipping the contingency. Add 10–15% for unknowns. Deteriorated flashing or a rotten stud can add $200–$500 in materials and labour — the contingency covers it.
Pro tips for a window quote that holds
- Measure the opening in three places and order to the smallest dimension.
- Confirm glass requirements against AS/NZS 2208, especially for wet areas and low windows.
- Get current lead times for custom windows so the schedule doesn't blow out.
- List waste disposal as its own line rather than absorbing it.
- Take clear before photos of existing conditions for your records.
- Verify site access — tight or multi-storey work always takes longer.
- Add a 10–15% contingency for anything you find once the window's out.
ServiceYak keeps your window, glass and labour rates in a reusable kit, so you can itemise removal, supply, flashing and waste on site and send a clean, professional PDF the same day you measure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does window replacement cost in Australia?
For a standard 1200 x 900mm window, supply runs about $350–$500 for aluminium sliding or $600–$900 for uPVC awning, with two tradies at $90/hour adding $360–$720 in labour for a simple install. Custom sizes and toughened or double glazing push it higher.
When is toughened safety glass required?
Toughened safety glass is mandatory for wet areas, doors and low-level windows under AS/NZS 2208, and bushfire (BAL) ratings can dictate specific glass and frames. A toughened panel costs around $250–$300 versus about $100 for float — confirm the requirement with your supplier before quoting.
What costs do tradies most often forget on a window job?
Removal time, waste disposal and rectification. Getting an old frame out of brickwork is slow, skip hire runs $150–$600, and new reveals, architraves and sealing all add up. Itemise them and carry a 10–15% contingency for hidden rot or rust.