To DIY or Not to DIY: The Pros and Cons of Professional

11:45AM / Friday, July 05, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Window Installation

Replacement windows are a considerable investment for homeowners. However, the upgrade process doesn’t end with ordering new frames; it also involves installing them. Should you take the DIY approach to save money, or go with the pro? Let's explore the factors to consider.

The Window Replacement Process

Before weighing DIY vs. hiring a window company like Rite Window, it's helpful to understand the

typical window installation process. Here are the major steps:

1. Removal of existing windows, interior trim, and exterior trim or siding to expose rough opening

2. Repairing any rot or deterioration of the rough frame

3. Properly sealing and flashing the opening for water resistance

4. Inserting the new window unit and shim/level as needed

5. Insulating around the window

6. Reinstalling interior and exterior trim

Replacing even a single window involves meticulous preparation, expert construction knowledge, and very precise measurements and cuts on your home's openings. It's a multistep process that requires specialized tools and materials like flashing, sealants, insulation, and more. So should you DIY or not?

Trying the DIY Route

Let's start with the potential advantages of doing it yourself if you have some home renovation

experience:

Major cost savings on labor
Learning experience and sense of accomplishment
Freedom to work at your own pace
Customization to get exactly the window styles and options you prefer.

However, there are some serious potential downsides and risks to consider:

Precise measurement and proper flashing are critical to prevent leaks, drafts, and air/moisture infiltration
Disposal requirements for old windows containing lead paint
Ladders and heights pose fall hazards, especially for multi-story homes
Very heavy window units require two people to lift and maneuver
Potential to make costly mistakes from inexperience in construction techniques.

Even for relatively skilled DIYers, window installation novices frequently underestimate the challenges involved. Issues like improperly sealing and flashing windows can lead to water damage, air leaks, and major headaches down the road. One miscalculation in measuring or cutting the rough opening can mean an entire new window unit is wasted.

Here's a quick checklist to assess if you're truly ready to DIY:

Prior hands-on experience with other construction projects
Full set of tools like ladders, pry bars, sealant guns, flashing, etc.
Ability to accurately measure and make precise cuts
At least one stout helper to assist in lifting heavy window units
Understanding of any local permits and disposal regulations
Patience, attention to detail, and careful observance of installation instructions! If you don't feel you can confidently check all those boxes, hiring professionals is likely the wiser choice for an investment as significant as new windows.

The Benefits of Window Installation Professionals

Replacement window companies employ crews with specialized training, tools, and years of specific installation experience. While their labor costs represent the premium over DIY, there are some great reasons to go this insured, certified route:

Expertise: They eat, sleep, and breathe window installation best practices. Professionals handle every aspect of the job with skilled precision — from preparing the rough opening to flashing and sealing to insulation and trim. This maximizes energy efficiency and prevents moisture issues. Their proven techniques ensure an airtight, leak-free installation with perfect operation.
Proper equipment: Window companies have all equipment from pry tools and ladders to sealants, flashing, insulating materials, and more to do it right per code. They also responsibly handle the disposal of the old windows if they contain lead or other hazards.
Warranty protection: While individual components have manufacturer warranties, most window installers guarantee their workmanship for several years too. Any leaks, drafts, or operational installation issues can be quickly remedied at no cost.
Speed and convenience: While you may take weeks juggling the window project around other priorities, their efficient window crews can install an entire home's worth of new windows in just a day or two with minimal disruption to your life.

When evaluating potential window installation companies, look for ones that:

Employ properly certified, insured, and experienced installers
Use high-quality, energy-efficient window products from name brands
Provide robust, transferable warranties on materials and labor
Have an established reputation for quality service in your area
Offer financing options if you can't pay full price upfront.

Getting multiple estimates is wise, but avoid simply going with the lowest bidder. Cheap materials and inexperienced crews can nullify any upfront savings when problems and issues inevitably arise.

The Verdict

While DIYing window replacement may be tempting to save money, it represents major challenges and risks — even for homeowners with some remodeling experience under their belt. Missing critical steps like properly preparing the rough openings, flashing, and sealing can cause water leaks, drafts, and costly damage. There's also the potential for injury from working at heights, lifting heavy window units, and dealing with hazardous materials.

The investment in professional window installation helps ensure your new windows look great, operate smoothly, and provide maximum energy efficiency and value for years to come. It prevents the dangers, hassles, mistakes, and headaches of trying to do it yourself. It is safe to conclude that hiring qualified window installation professionals is generally the wisest choice for this major home upgrade.

Lanesborough Town Election Sees Expanded Select Board

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:13PM / Tuesday, June 16, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board will now have five people serving with the addition of two more board members elected on Tuesday.

Juli Baker, Jeffery Walters and incumbent Michael Murphy took the three seats up for election in a five-way race, winning a three-year, two-year and one-year seat respectively based on the number of votes received. Out of the running were Scott Graves and Christian Halley.

Out of the more than 2,600 registered voters, 328 cast ballots Tuesday in the annual town election, or about a 12 percent turnout.

The current board consists of Chair Deborah Maynard, Jason Breault, and Murphy. The new board was voted to have five members back in 2024 at the annual town meeting after resident Kristen Tool filed a citizens petition to expand it. The home-rule petition was sent to the Legislature and was approved late last year.

Murphy was running for a third term. He said he is not done with his work on the board and wants to see more projects done like the mall. He was voted back on with 168 votes for a one-year term.

"I feel like I've put in a good six years, but I do feel like there's a couple things that I'd like to see through that are still, you know, somewhere either on the front burner or the back burner," he said. "I'll talk about the mall, I'd love to play a role in seeing how that plays out. What's moved to the back burner after being on the front burner for a couple years is the need for a new police station. I still believe there's a need for that."

He is proud to be a part of the board that will expand its members and to have helped the town have a better atmosphere and attitude toward its residents.

"My proudest accomplishment is getting a better home for our Police Department, one that they need very well," Murphy said. "Some of the things that surprised me a little bit, but that I think I had an impact on, is improving the atmosphere within the Town Hall building. I think that's the best way to put it. There was a time, and I heard from many, many people in the community when I ran that I was surprised to hear how they didn't feel welcomed, they didn't feel comfortable, and I think that that attitude and that atmosphere has changed, and I've had something to do that."

Baker won the three-year term with 258 votes. Baker has been in Lanesborough since 2021 and has been participating on the Finance Committee, which she will now leave to be on the Select Board.

She ran because she felt she could help with her experience on many other boards and her ability to be a leader and see both sides of every story.

"I've had a lot of input into other groups like the planning board and the zoning board, and a lot of the issues that have been happening in town, and I feel like I have a very level head about very contentious issues, I look at all sides of every issue and cut through the emotions and get to the bottom of what the issue is and what's best for Lanesborough," she said.

Key issues she plans to address include managing tax increases that she has done with the finance board, addressing the short-term rental bylaw, and resolving the stalemate over the mall property to find the best way to get real value from the property.

Walters took the two-year term with 215 votes. Walters has been a resident for 26 years and owns Snap-On Tools dealership. He said he looks forward to working with the board and says one of the key issues he has heard is the taxes and wants to help maintain the residents taxes. He said he has been talking about running for about eight years and the bigger board helped push him to put his name on the ballot.

"I said I would like to run for a selectman. We're going to a five person select board, so I thought it'd be a good time. Being a small business owner, I feel I have something to contribute to add to the people that we have already in the Select Board," he said.

Graves said he wanted to be on the board to help others in the community feel welcome as he did not when he first came.

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