Cost to Enlarge Windows in Your Home [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to enlarge a window is $3,000. Most projects fall between $1,200 and $5,000, depending on window size, structural complexity, and materials. Costs can range from $500 for a simple conversion to $10,000 for more involved work.

Window Size: How Does It Affect Price?

The size difference between your existing window and the new one is one of the biggest cost drivers in any enlargement project, with most homeowners spending an average of $3,000 to convert a single window to a side-by-side, picture, or bay window. The larger the opening you need to create, the more you'll pay for both the new window itself and the labor to make room for it. 

The table below shows costs by the specific window types involved:

Window Specialist Costs: What Does Labor Include?

Hiring a window specialist costs $500 to $1,500 in labor alone to expand a wall opening for a larger window. That fee covers widening the wall opening, removing the old window, and installing the new one.

Structural Engineer Costs: How Much Do They Charge?

Structural engineers cost an average of $550, with prices ranging from $200 to $1,200 or more, depending on the scale and complexity of your project. A structural engineer is often necessary when enlarging a window because most exterior walls are load-bearing, and widening an opening requires structural changes to keep your home safe. You'll specifically need one if you're widening a skylight through existing rafters, reframing an exterior wall to support a larger window, or cutting a bigger hole in a foundation wall for a basement window. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Some smaller window enlargement projects only require a window specialist, and some require a window specialist and a structural engineer. Still, you might also need to hire other professionals for buildback to refinish your interior and exterior walls after the main work is done. 

Below are some other pros you may need to consider, along with average labor costs:

• Cost to hire an electrician: $50–$130 per hour

• Cost to hire a general contractor: $300–$600

• Cost to hire a drywall specialist: $200–$800

• Cost to hire an interior painter: $200–$800

• Cost to hire a roofer: $300–$1,000

Window Costs by Location: Where Are They Highest?

Labor accounts for 50% to 70% of your total project cost, so where you live has a significant effect on what you'll pay to enlarge a window. Homeowners in major cities or high-cost-of-living states will pay noticeably more.

The following table shows the average project costs by state:

Window Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Window size and labor drive the largest price swings in any enlargement project, but several additional factors can meaningfully shift your final budget. Understanding these variables before you start will help you plan more accurately and avoid surprises.

Structural Changes

Structural changes are almost always required when expanding a window horizontally or cutting a larger opening in a basement wall, and hiring a structural engineer to plan those changes adds $200 to $1,200 to your total, depending on the complexity of the work. Expanding a window vertically, however, rarely requires structural reinforcement because the load-bearing header above can remain intact, making taller windows a more budget-friendly option than wider ones.

Window Location

Where your window sits in your home affects the total cost of enlargement, with second-floor windows and roof skylights costing up to 10% more to resize because of the additional time required to move materials and work safely at height.

New Window Cost

The type of window you choose directly impacts your total cost, with options ranging from $150 to $7,100. Since window prices vary widely by style, bay window material costs alone run roughly three times what you'd pay for a double-hung. 

The figures below cover the new window price and installation, so budget separately for the wall opening resizing work on top of these costs:

Buildback

Buildback costs run $200 to $1,000 or more, with an average of $800 depending on the scope and materials involved. Buildback is the work required after your new window is installed, covering tasks like repairing siding, hanging and spackling drywall, painting, and installing interior and exterior trim, and for skylights, new roofing, caulking, and sealing as well. 

You'll pay toward the higher end if your project requires the cost of wood siding and custom window trim, while vinyl siding and standard trim keep costs closer to the lower end.

Hauling Away the Old Window

Hauling away the old window and construction debris costs $60 to $500, with $60 being typical for a small hopper window and up to $500 for a larger bay or bow window. Some window specialists include this in their initial estimate, so confirm with your pro before budgeting for it separately.

Permits

Most municipalities require a permit for window enlargement, and those permits typically cost $100 to $300 on average, though prices vary by local building department. Projects that involve structural changes can push permit costs to $500 or more on their own.

Why You Should Hire a Window Specialist

You should always hire a pro, and your building department likely requires that you do,if your project requires structural changes, such as enlarging a window in a foundation wall or widening a window in a standard exterior wall. Mistakes are easy to make when it comes to structural work, and they could lead to severe structural damage that costs thousands to fix.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a window specialist

For the best results and the safest project possible, hire a window specialist near you. Here are some of the top reasons to work with a pro:

• Pros ensure the project remains up to code and energy-efficient, adding peace of mind and durability to your new windows.

• They have the tools and materials needed to remove the old windows and install new windows, often bundling the work together.

• Working with a pro ensures your project is done accurately and without the need for costly repairs in the future.

• Bundling window enlargement with other window services, such as reframing or replacing existing windows, can save on overall costs.

Window Enlargement vs. Replacement

Window enlargement costs an average of $3,000, while window replacement costs $750 per window. In all cases, sticking with your current window size and simply removing the old window and installing a new one will be more affordable.

You should consider the importance of window size before opting for an enlargement. If your space lacks natural light, has poor curb appeal, or feels too claustrophobic, paying more for an enlargement may be worthwhile. However, on average, you'll pay more than three times as much to replace the existing window with one of equal size.

How to Save Money When Enlarging Your Windows

Enlarging a window can cost as much as $10,000, so most homeowners will look for ways to save money while still getting the look they dream of. Here are some tips to save money on your project.

• Expand windows vertically: Making window openings wider will almost always require structural changes and bump up your total by an average of $550. Making windows taller rarely requires the same changes and will be much more affordable.

• Consider a replacement instead: Keeping your window the same size and replacing it will cost 30% of what you'd pay if you install a larger one. You can add a bit more natural light to your living space with a replacement by choosing a picture or casement window with no dividers and thinner frames.

• Tackle some of the work yourself: Widening a wall opening and installing a new window is a job for professionals, but you can save between $200 and $1,000 on your total by doing portions of the work yourself. Consider tackling the drywall repair, interior painting, and trim installation to keep costs as low as possible.

• Choose your new window carefully: New window prices vary widely depending on the type of window, as well as the frame and glass materials. Choose more affordable styles, vinyl frames over fiberglass and double-pane glass over triple-pane to save up front, or consider energy-efficient windows with window tinting for long-term savings on utility bills.

Do Larger Windows Increase Home Value?

New windows increase home value, but installing larger windows can increase property value even more. Larger windows increase curb appeal, provide better views of the outdoors, and bring more natural light into your living space. Expect a return on investment (ROI) of between 80% and 90% when installing larger windows in your home.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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