Should You DIY A Garage Window Installation Or Hire The Pros? Here's What To Know

There's more than one way to fix a gloomy garage, but whether you use the space simply to park your car, for storage, or as a workshop, there's nothing quite like the natural light provided by widows. You have a huge amount of choice when it comes to window size and style, so you can handle any issues with privacy or security. The big question for many is whether to tackle a garage window installation themselves or hire a pro. To help you decide, let's look at the pros and cons and at the different ways the job could be completed.

There are two main reasons to DIY install garage windows. The first is cost. It's important to get personalized quotes for accuracy, but independent sources estimate likely labor anywhere from $100 to $400 per window. So, installing the windows yourself translates into significant savings. The second is convenience. You can do the job when it suits you instead of waiting for a contractor or changing your schedule to suit their availability.

On the other hand, the main advantages of having a pro install your garage window are speed and quality. The firm you hire should have the skills to do the job quickly and the experience to overcome hurdles that present themselves along the way, like coming across a concealed water pipe or electrical cabling. It also means you have recourse if a fault emerges down the line.

Your personal DIY skill level will make a big difference. Some hacks for improving your garage are fairly straightforward, but making a hole in the wall and installing windows can take things to a different level. How the garage is built and the type of construction you're most familiar with will certainly have a bearing. Many DIYers are confident when working with frame construction, stud walls, and siding. If this sounds like you, then you could probably handle the job on your own and save money — and, of course, vice versa. On the other hand, fewer homeowners may be comfortable with cutting through cinder blocks and the work required to successfully fit a window into that type of wall. Unless you've made penetrations in masonry walls in the past, you may belatedly wish you had called in a professional after embarking on the project. 

There are other important things to weigh up that might impact your decision. A poorly fitted window is likely to allow warm air out and cold drafts in. It might also leak when it rains. If you mess up the installation, then getting it right could cost more than having a pro take on the job in the first place. Fitting windows yourself may also void the window manufacturer's warranty, so even if you discover a fault in the glazing that you didn't cause, you may have trouble getting it fixed.

Rather than punching holes in the side of a garage, you could change the door with a new one that has windows. This kind of change can immediately let more light into the space and boost your home's curb appeal. Whatever style of garage door you currently have, there's almost certainly a version with glazing. In the unlikely event there isn't, you could have one custom made.

Prices for a new garage door range anywhere from $700 to $10,000, and the size, style, and material choices you make all have a tremendous impact. Since garage doors can weigh anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds, fitting them is definitely a 2-person job. And even though a new garage door lends itself better to DIY installation than a window — mostly since you don't have to create penetrations in the exterior walls — the job can be complex, particularly if the door is automatic. So, once again, there's a decision to be made about who fits it for you.

There's one vital ingredient we haven't yet mentioned. Confidence. If you think you can DIY install garage windows, you probably can. If you're in two minds about it, it's probably best to call in the pros.