ᐅ Additional Costs / Extra Charge for Taller Windows

Hello dear forum members,

In the scope of work description of my GÜs, it states that windows up to a maximum size of 2 x 2.25 meters (7 x 7.4 feet) are included as standard. The number of windows does not matter, as long as the structural engineering allows it.

Setting aside the economic practicality of this rule, some questions have arisen during the planning phase:
It now looks like we will have a clear ceiling height of 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) (depending on cost calculations). The architect recommended opting for window heights of about 2.32 meters (7.6 feet).

1. Question: Does that really make such a big difference?
2. Question: What would be a reasonable surcharge for 4 floor-to-ceiling windows?

Thank you and best regards,

Tolentino

P.S.: If interested, here is the house planning thread; from the linked post onward it becomes interesting due to current updates.

If you increase the height, make sure to adjust all the windows accordingly, especially if roller shutters are installed.

Tolentino schrieb:

Starting from the linked post, it becomes interesting due to the updated information.

... but also confusing and raises the question of which house (design post number) is being referred to.

Tolentino schrieb:

1. Question: Does it really make that much difference?
2. Question: What kind of price increase would be justified for 4 floor-to-ceiling windows?

1. Yes, a 7 cm (2.8 inch) difference is visible to the naked eye.
2. Changing from 225 to 232 does not affect the structural design, so only the frame lengths and glass surface areas increase. Therefore, a reasonable increase would practically be 232/225 = 3.1%.

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11ant schrieb:

... but it’s also confusing and raises the question of which house (design post number) is actually being referred to.

hmm, yes. It’s not finalized yet either. I’ll post an update with the architect’s design as soon as it’s available.

11ant schrieb:

A reasonable figure here would probably be 232/225 = 3.1%.

Okay, it’s just difficult to calculate when the windows are not listed individually by value. They are included in the fixed price of the house.
I’d have to ask the general contractor what he would quote me for the windows if I were to do them myself. It seems somewhat plausible, since I won’t be having the roller shutters done by him either (Schieva is a window manufacturer and the GC wanted an extra 800 EUR for each roller shutter).

Okay, let’s see.

We also have a room height of 2.70m (8 ft 10 in) and windows about 2.35m (7 ft 9 in) high. Reducing the height by 10cm (4 inches) wouldn’t look good anymore, as there would be too much wall space above the window. I would rather make the windows taller; that usually shouldn’t increase the cost by much.

Best regards,
Sabine

You will probably want to raise the standard-height windows by about 7 cm (3 inches) as well; changing the sill height wouldn’t be ideal. My response referred to your question—specifically about the floor-to-ceiling windows and a fair additional cost. For all the windows, you’re looking at roughly five to six percent extra, and fairness is more of a theoretical concept here. If your general contractor tried to overcharge you, they’d probably do the same when deducting costs. So either bite the bullet or skip both the window height and room height increases. Building is only a dream for private clients: if you want unconditional love, get a dog—not a general contractor.

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