New Window Opening Cost

Are you looking to have a new window opening added to your home?

In this complete window guide, we'll explore the costs associated with cutting a new window opening in a brick or external wall, including labour, structural work such as installing a lintel, and the price of the window itself.

Most homeowners spend around £750 on creating a new window in their wall, depending on the size of the opening, the type of window, and how much finishing work is required.

If you'd like a more accurate estimate for your property, you can get free, no-obligation quotes from local window installers through MyJobQuote.

Otherwise, read on to find out more about how much the job could cost for your specific window.

How Much Does Installing a New Window Opening Cost?

The cost to create a new window opening is based on the size and style of the window. For example, a small, double-glazed casement window, such as one found in a bathroom or utility room, can cost as little as £240. The price of double glazed windows generally rises as the openings get larger or you add more units.

Rooms with bigger windows, such as those found in living rooms or bedrooms, can cost between £460 and £700.

Where the opening is turned into a projection, the cost of changing a bay window will be higher as there’s more frame and glass involved.

If you want wooden-framed windows rather than uPVC, the cost will be higher, usually at least double the price, and prices can skyrocket if you use less common woods - individual windows can cost thousands of pounds.

New Window Opening Prices

Take a look at the table below for the new window opening installation cost. Prices include labour for cutting the opening and fitting the window, as well as the purchase price of the window itself:

Supply Cost of a New Window Opening

Window supply costs are separate from the structural work required to create the opening, but the type of window you choose will significantly impact your project's price. We've compiled some average prices for the supply of windows by material to give you an idea of the price difference you'll be looking at.

uPVC Window Costs

uPVC windows are the most common choice in the UK thanks to their low cost, starting at £180, durability, and low maintenance requirements. They are widely used for new window openings because they provide good insulation and are available in a wide range of standard sizes.

Most homeowners choose white uPVC frames, which are the most affordable option. Woodgrain-effect finishes or coloured frames can increase the price slightly.

Aluminium Window Costs

Aluminium frames are more costly than uPVC frames, starting at £540, but they will provide your home with long-lasting, durable, and aesthetically pleasing windows.

Modern aluminium windows can be very thermally efficient, especially when the frames include a thermal break. They also tend to have slimmer frames than uPVC and, like uPVC, need very little maintenance. Aluminium frames can be supplied in various colours to match the style of your home.

Timber Window Costs

Timber frames are the most expensive option, starting at £880, but they can add significant value to your home, especially if you are concerned with overall aesthetics.

Wooden windows provide a beautiful and elegant finish and are ideal if your home is from a specific era. Timber frames are available in various hardwood and softwood species and finishes.

However, it's important to remember that they require more maintenance than other window materials.

Composite Windows Costs

Composite windows are typically at the higher end of the price scale, starting at around £1,300. Timber is expensive, and the additional aluminium cladding raises the price even more.

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Labour Cost to Create New Window Opening & Timescales

Creating a new window opening usually requires a builder or window installation team, as the work involves cutting into the wall, installing a lintel for support, fitting the window frame, and making the plaster and brickwork around the opening good again at the end.

In most cases, the work is carried out by a two-person team, meaning labour rates are effectively doubled. A typical day rate for a builder or window fitter in the UK is around £250 to £350 per person per day, meaning labour for the job often costs between £500 and £700 per day in total.

For a straightforward opening in a brick wall on the ground floor, labour costs typically fall between £400 and £900, depending on the complexity of the job and the amount of finishing work required.

The table below shows typical labour and fitting costs and timescales for common scenarios when creating a new window opening:

Additional work may increase the final cost, as we will cover next.

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Factors That Impact the Cost of Creating a New Window Opening

We've discussed the base price of windows and the labour costs associated with them, but there are a few other factors that can affect the cost of new windows.

Purchasing vs Fitting

For an additional fee, your supplier may also install windows, known as a supply and fit service. However, a builder may be required to cut the opening first.

Window Size and Openings

Window openings in older homes may not be standard sizes, or they may not be square and level, necessitating a custom solution.

Because it's not as simple as some modern fittings, your fitter may need to make more changes including structural work during installation, or do additional repairs around the area afterwards, which may increase the cost.

Making Good, Rendering and Painting

Cutting a new opening isn’t just about fitting a frame. Once the window’s in, the wall needs tidying up inside and out. Sometimes it’s only a bit of plastering. Other times you’re into patching render or repainting a whole run of wall so it all looks even again.

Home rendering costs sit somewhere between £2,200 and £8,500, depending on the property size, access and the finish you choose. You won’t need a full-house render just for one window. But if the existing coating is cracked or dated, many people use the moment to sort the whole elevation.

The same happens with paintwork. Once you start patching render or brickwork, you may need to repaint that side of the house so everything blends. The cost of painting a typical two-storey, three-bedroom house tends to fall between £950 and £1,150, though the price changes with house size, condition and how easy it is to get to the walls.

Resealing Windows and Doors

After the new window’s in, it’s worth checking the rest of your windows and doors for draughts. There’s no point investing in a new opening if cold air is still creeping in elsewhere. Fresh sealant makes a real difference to heat loss.

The cost of resealing windows and doors depends on how many you have. The sealant itself is cheap at around £6 to £12, but the labour is what you’re really paying for. Most people spend somewhere between £30 and £75 per window or door to have the job done properly.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding may be needed if the new opening will be high up. It adds to the overall cost, and the price climbs with height and how long the scaffolding stays up.

Permits and Regulations in Planning

There can be extra costs if you need planning permission or if your home has design rules you need to follow. Some styles or colours cost more, so it’s good to know your options early on.

What's Involved in Installing a New Window Opening?

Cutting a brand new opening into an external wall is a big job, involving the structure of the house, weatherproofing and a lot of heavy kit.

If it’s not done properly, you can end up with damp, draughts and, in the worst case, a weakened wall. That’s why bringing in a qualified builder or window installer is better than trying to cut the opening yourself.

With MyJobQuote, you can get free, no-obligation quotes from local window installers and builders who do this kind of work all the time. Once you’ve found someone you’re happy with, here’s a simple overview of what’s involved when a professional creates a new window opening:

Before the Job Starts

• Finding the spot — Your local window fitter has a quick look at the wall first to check for pipes, wires, or odd bits of timber that could cause problems or need to be rerouted.
• Getting things straight — Once they know the window can go there, they measure up properly and sort out what support the wall will need. Any paperwork gets sorted at this stage too so the job isn’t held up later.

During the Job

• Clearing the area — Anything in the way gets taken off. Sometimes it’s just trim or plasterboard. Sometimes it’s a run of cladding that needs lifting so it doesn’t crack.
• Opening the wall — The support goes in first so the wall stays put. After that, the opening is cut out bit by bit, and they shaped so the new window will sit right.

After the Job

• Getting it all back together — The window goes in, gets levelled, and then everything around it is patched up. Inside, that means plasterboard. Outside, whatever finish was there before gets made good again.
• Final checks — They’ll open and close everything a few times and make sure the seal is tight. If the sill took a knock along the way, the cost of a window sill replacement is just a small extra.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Installing A New Window Opening

In most cases, replacing or adding windows to your home's original walls is possible without planning permission, as it's usually included in your permitted development rights (PDR).

For new windows on an upper-floor side elevation, planning permission usually isn’t needed if the glass is obscure and either the window is fixed shut or any opening parts are at least 1.7 m above the internal floor level.

Even if planning permission isn't needed for your new window opening, you can't ignore Building Regulations. Cutting a new opening and fitting a lintel counts as structural work, so Building Control still needs to approve the opening and how it’s supported. A FENSA or CERTASS installer can self-certify the window installation itself, but that doesn’t cover the structural alterations to the wall.

However, rules have exceptions, and in some cases, you will need to gain planning permission to add a new window opening to your property. If your property's original permission came with conditions, you'd need approval. Contact your local council to find out if this is the case.

Here are some situations you may need to consider:

• If you're adding a new bay window, it’s treated as an extension, so you may need planning permission depending on how far it projects and whether it still falls within your permitted development limits.
• If you live in a listed building, you need listed building consent before carrying out any major work on your home, whether external or internal.
• If you live in a designated area, including a national park, conservation area, or AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), you may encounter additional restrictions regarding having a new window opening created.
• If you live in a rented property, you may not have to obtain planning permission from your local council for your new window openings, but you may need permission from your landlord.

Types of New Window Openings

Frame materials, glazing choices, and energy efficiency are all considerations when choosing new windows.

Let's discuss the various types of new window openings and their benefits and drawbacks.

Tilt and Turn Windows

Tilt and turn windows became popular in the UK from the 1980s onwards, especially as uPVC double glazing took off. The tilt and turn's main advantage is its ability to open in multiple directions and be safely left open on a tilt for ventilation.

Unlike casements, which open outwards, tilt, and turn windows open inwards and can be fully opened to allow cleaning of the external glass from inside a home, which is ideal for upper-storey windows.

Tilt and turn windows have an extremely tight seal when closed, making them one of the most energy-efficient frame options. However, tilt and turn windows have a thick frame and are less appropriate for period properties, where they may appear out of place.

Pros

• ✔ Tight seal giving good energy-efficiency
• ✔ Multiple opening options

Cons

• ✖ Expensive due to the complex opening/closing mechanism
• ✖ Not suitable for period properties

Single-Hung Windows

Single-hung windows open vertically, with the lower window panel or sash moving up and down and the upper sash remaining stationary.

The top sash is covered from the inside when you open a window. The movement of these sections is the primary distinction between single and double-hung windows.

Pros

• ✔ Affordable
• ✔ Simple design that suits most home aesthetics

Cons

• ✖ Less interesting style than other window options
• ✖ Can be tricky to clean

Sliding or Slider Windows

Unlike a traditional sash window, a sliding window opens to the side, sliding horizontally. For example, consider a small patio door. Sliding windows are typically made with a slimmer aluminium frame that allows maximum glass area for a bright window.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to open
• ✔ Lots of natural light due to the slim frame design

Cons

• ✖ Less ventilation than other window styles
• ✖ Can be hard to clean

Windows with Awnings

Awning windows are ideal for rainy climates because the window creates a sort of water-resistant "umbrella" when it’s open.

They swing open on the outside by pushing the latch or handle outward, which makes them weatherproof and easy to clean.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to clean and accessible from inside
• ✔ Waterproof design

Cons

• ✖ More expensive than simpler styles
• ✖ Not suitable for all buildings (especially those with listed status)

Pivoting Windows

Pivoting windows have sashes that can rotate 90° to 180° around a horizontal or vertical axis, usually located on or near the centre of the sash. A pivoting window allows for full ventilation.

Pros

• ✔ Versatile opening design options
• ✔ Great ventilation

Cons

• ✖ High cost compared to standard window types
• ✖ Limited security and safety concerns around young children/pets

Checklist: Hiring a Contractor to Install a New Window Opening

Someone’s about to cut into your house, so ask these first:

• Are they FENSA or CERTASS registered? That way they can sign off the window installation properly and hand you the paperwork.
• Will they handle building control? A new opening needs sign-off, so check if they sort it or tell you exactly what to send in.
• Do they have public liability insurance? If something gets damaged, you want them covered, not you.
• Is making good included? Ask if plastering, trims and sealing round the window are part of the job, not an extra. If the glass has misted up or the seal has gone on an old window, research blown window replacement costs to get a good idea of what people pay.
• Is access or scaffolding in the quote? Upper floors need a tower. Make sure it’s priced in now, not added on later.
• Have they done this type of cut-in before? Get them to show you a window they put into a solid wall, not just a like-for-like swap.
• Can they itemise the quote? You should be able to see the cutting and window fitting cost, the new window itself, lintel and disposal as separate costs so you know what you are paying for.