WINDOW ESTIMATING SOFTWARE

Window Estimating Software Built From the Schedule and the Plan

Turn window schedules and PDF floor plans into detailed window estimates — counts, sizes, styles, materials, installation labor, and replacement scope — editable on the plan, start to finish.

AI-assisted schedule extraction, window counts, sizes, styles, materials, installation labor, and replacement scope — connected in one window estimating workflow.

vega · windows
B. Pantry53 sqftMudroom82 sqft1/2 Bath31 sqftOffice121 sqftKitchen193 sqftDining121 sqftLiving Room277 sqftEntry Corridor115 sqftPrimary Bed131 sqftPrimary Closet78 sqftPrimary Bath80 sqftFront Porch318 sqftBack Deck358 sqft

ROOM TAKEOFF

B. Pantry
53 sqft
Mudroom
82 sqft
1/2 Bath
31 sqft
Office
121 sqft
Kitchen
193 sqft
Dining
121 sqft
Living Room
277 sqft
Entry Corridor
115 sqft
Primary Bed
131 sqft
Primary Closet
78 sqft
Primary Bath
80 sqft
Front Porch
318 sqft
Back Deck
358 sqft
Conditioned1,282 sqft
SCHEDULE + FLOOR PLAN
Window counts, styles, sizes
Upload the plan set
Floor plans + window schedule
AI-assisted schedule extraction
Marks, sizes, styles, materials
Materials, labor & proposal
Reviewable and editable
FROM PDF TO WINDOW ESTIMATE

From PDF Plans to a Priced Window Estimate

Vega reads the window schedule when one is available, organizes windows by style and material, applies product pricing, calculates installation scope and crew labor, and produces a reviewable estimate.

STEP 01

Upload the plans

Start with the plan set — floor plans carry window markers, and a window schedule page lists every opening with its mark, size, style, and glazing.

STEP 02

Read the schedule

Vega reads the window schedule when one is available — marks, counts, sizes, styles, materials, glazing, and manufacturer notes — the richest source on the plan set.

STEP 03

Organize by spec

Each window is resolved to a spec — style, material, size, glazing, grilles — and grouped with identical windows so the estimate buys each kind once.

STEP 04

Apply product pricing

Vega matches each window to a product — a generic baseline row or a manufacturer-specific SKU sized to the opening — so the unit price is a real product, not a multiplier.

STEP 05

Calculate installation scope

Flashing tape, sill pans, shims, foam, and fasteners are measured off each opening. Removal, disposal, and reframing allowances are added when the job calls for them.

STEP 06

Calculate crew labor

Installation labor is driven by window count, style, size, and install method — priced at the crew's actual hourly rate, not a flat per-window dollar.

STEP 07

Produce the estimate

Reviewed quantities carry into a material and labor estimate and a client proposal — editable line by line, with overrides saved and defaults preserved.

AI-assisted extraction — the estimator reviews and edits every window on the canvas before pricing. Not a one-click automatic takeoff.

WINDOW SCHEDULE EXTRACTION

Read the Window Schedule When One Is Available

The window schedule is the richest source on the plan set. When Vega finds one, it reads the fields the schedule provides — and flags the ones it does not. Not every field exists on every plan.

Marks

Each window carries a unique mark (e.g. W1, W2) that keys it to the floor-plan marker.

Counts

The schedule lists every opening, so it is the count — not a sample or an estimate.

Sizes

Width and height callouts — the rough opening or the nominal unit size — drive product matching and flashing.

Styles

Single-hung, double-hung, slider, casement, awning, fixed, transom, bay, bow, garden, and more.

Materials

Vinyl, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, clad, composite — the frame material sets the price class.

Glazing

Double-pane, triple-pane, Low-E, argon — and tempered, obscure, or laminated where called out.

Manufacturer

Manufacturer and model notes help match to a specific product line where data exists.

Notes

Impact rating, egress, room use, and special conditions — the schedule's own annotations.

Vega uses what the schedule provides. Missing fields are flagged — not guessed. The estimator reviews and fills the gaps on the canvas.

SCHEDULE + FLOOR PLAN

The Schedule Wins. The Floor Plan Falls Back.

Vega prioritizes the window schedule when one is available. When a usable schedule is not present, floor-plan window markers provide the fallback — each marker typed by style and sized by width.

Schedule-first

The primary source

When a window schedule is read, every scheduled window is priced — with its stated size, style, material, and glazing. The schedule is the count, so it is the authority.

Marks, sizes, styles, materials
Glazing and grille information
Manufacturer and model notes
Impact, egress, and special conditions

Floor-plan fallback

When no schedule is available

Without a schedule, each floor-plan marker is a window — typed by style from the marker, sized by its width. The frame material is the survey\'s assumption, priced on a step of its own.

Style from the marker type
Width from the marker
Material assumed from the survey
Standard size when width is unreadable

The two sources are not merged. When both exist and the counts differ, the schedule is priced and the difference is flagged for the estimator to resolve.

WINDOW TYPES

Residential Window Styles, Organized and Priced

Vega supports the residential window styles a plan set calls out — from single-hung to garden windows. Each style is priced as its own product, not a multiplier on a single base.

Single-Hung

Bottom sash slides up; top sash fixed.

Double-Hung

Both sashes slide; the common replacement unit.

Slider

Horizontal sash — left/right or XO operation.

Casement

Hinged on the side; cranks outward.

Awning

Hinged at the top; pushes out from the bottom.

Hopper

Hinged at the bottom; pulls inward from the top.

Fixed / Picture

Non-operable; the largest light area.

Transom

A fixed lite above a door or window.

Specialty

Half-round, arched, and custom shapes.

Bay

A three-sided projection from the wall.

Bow

A curved projection of four or more units.

Garden

A three-sided box window with shelves.

Storefront and curtain-wall glazing are not residential window scope — they are not priced in this trade.

MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS

Frame Materials and Manufacturer-Specific Products

Vega supports six frame materials and matches each window to a product — a generic baseline row or a manufacturer-specific SKU sized to the opening.

Vinyl

The most common residential frame — budget to standard tiers.

Wood

Solid wood frames — the premium interior finish.

Aluminum

Lightweight, durable, low-maintenance frames.

Fiberglass

Strong, energy-efficient, paintable composite.

Clad

Wood interior with aluminum or vinyl exterior.

Composite

Engineered frames — Fibrex and similar materials.

Manufacturer-specific product options

Where matching data exists, the estimator can choose a manufacturer-specific product line — and each window is matched to the nearest-size SKU in that line. Examples include Milgard, JELD-WEN, Pella, and Andersen.

MilgardJELD-WENPellaAndersen

Product prices come from the supplier workbook — not live manufacturer pricing, real-time supplier feeds, or ZIP-code dealer quotes. Confirm prices in the estimate before relying on them.

GLASS AND WINDOW OPTIONS

Glazing, Grilles, and Specialty Glass

Vega estimates the glass and grille options a residential job calls for — from triple-pane upgrades to impact units and egress windows.

Triple-pane upgrade

A third pane of glass with an additional insulating airspace — added where the schedule does not already specify it.

Low-E coating

Low-emissivity glass reflects heat while letting light through — added to units that do not already include it.

Argon gas fill

An inert gas between the panes improves insulation beyond air — added where not already standard.

Tempered glass

Safety glass for hazardous locations — bathroom windows default to tempered where the schedule does not rate them.

Obscure glass

Privacy glass for bathrooms — patterned so light passes but shapes do not. Defaulted on for bathroom windows.

Laminated glass

A plastic interlayer for security and sound — added where the schedule calls for it or the job asks.

Impact windows

Wind-borne-debris-rated units for coastal regions — impact hung windows replace the standard unit; others take an impact glass upgrade.

Egress windows

Bedroom and basement openings sized to IRC R310 escape requirements — priced as their own unit, not a style variant.

Grille options

Colonial, prairie, and surface-applied grilles — between-the-glass or surface-mounted, from the schedule or the survey.

Vega does not make energy-code certification claims. Confirm U-factor, SHGC, and code compliance with the product manufacturer and your local building code.

INSTALLATION MATERIALS

Opening-Installation Materials, Measured Per Opening

Vega estimates the consumables that turn a window count into an installation — flashing tape, sill pans, shims, foam, and fasteners — measured off each opening, not an assumed per-window allowance.

Flashing tape

Self-adhered flashing tape around the sill and both jambs of every opening — measured off each window's width and height, not an assumed per-window length.

Sill pans

One pre-formed or site-built sill pan per opening — the first line of defense against water at the sill.

Shims

Packs of shims — one pack per group of windows, for leveling and squaring the unit in the rough opening.

Low-expansion foam

Cans of window-and-door foam — one can per group of windows, for air-sealing the gap between the unit and the rough opening.

Fasteners

One pack of fasteners per window — the screws that secure the unit to the framing.

Liquid flashing (alternative)

Liquid-applied flashing membrane is an alternative to tape — one per opening, never both. The estimator picks the method.

Vega estimates opening-installation materials inside the Windows trade. Broader building-envelope waterproofing — WRB, sealants, whole-wall flashing — belongs to Exteriors and Waterproofing.

WINDOW INSTALLATION LABOR

Labor Driven by Count, Style, Size, and Method

Window installation labor responds to the window count, the style complexity, the size of each window, the installation method, and the crew\'s actual hourly rate — not a flat per-window dollar.

Window count

Labor scales linearly with the number of windows — 30 windows take three times the install hours of 10, not three times the building area.

Style complexity

A single-hung installs faster than a bay or bow. Style factors range from 0.5× (transom) to 3.0× (bay/bow) the base hours.

Size complexity

A 60 SF window takes more handling than a 6 SF one. Size factor scales with the square root of area, capped at 2× the base.

Install method

New construction (1.12×), retrofit insert (1.0×), and full-frame replacement (1.5×) — the method drives the base install hours.

Crew labor rates

Labor is priced at the crew's actual hourly rate — the lead and installer wages you assign — not a flat per-window dollar.

Labor is priced at the crew\'s actual hourly rate — the lead and installer wages you assign. Every labor assumption is editable.

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Retrofit, Full-Frame, Removal, Disposal, and Reframing

Vega supports the full replacement scope — from the lightest retrofit insert to a full-frame teardown with removal, disposal, and reframing allowances.

Retrofit insert

The existing frame stays; the new unit slips into the old sash pocket. The lightest replacement method — 1.0× base labor.

Full-frame replacement

The existing frame comes out to the rough opening. Heavier scope — 1.5× base labor — and the old unit needs removal and disposal.

Removal

Cutting the sealant, pulling the old unit, and cleaning the rough opening — 0.5 hours per window, added when the job calls for it.

Disposal / haul-off

Loading and hauling off the removed units — 0.25 hours per window, added alongside removal.

Reframing allowance

A new or widened header needs king studs, jack studs, and rough-opening work — 4.0 hours per opening, based on a user-entered count. This is an allowance, not a structural framing takeoff.

Demolition suppression

On a full teardown, the Demolition trade bills the windows out with the structure — so removal and disposal are suppressed here to avoid double-counting.

Reframing is an allowance based on a user-entered opening count — not automatically inferred structural framing. Structural headers and opening framing remain the Framing trade\'s scope.

CLIENT-SUPPLIED WINDOWS

Install Only — the Customer Supplies the Units

When the customer supplies the window units, Vega removes the window-unit purchase while retaining the installation labor and all installation materials.

Retained on the estimate

Window count
Installation labor (count × style × size × method)
Flashing tape (measured per opening)
Sill pans
Shims, foam, and fasteners

Suppressed on the estimate

Base window-unit purchase rows
Generic product rows
Manufacturer-specific SKU rows
Impact unit purchase
Egress unit purchase

Verified production behavior — the installation scope is unaffected. Only the base window-unit purchase is gated off.

AI ASSISTS. THE ESTIMATOR STAYS IN CONTROL.

Review and Edit Window Takeoffs Directly on the Plan

A window estimate is only as good as the window specs behind it. Vega shows every window on the canvas — and every quantity, price, and material is editable.

See windows on the plan

Every window marker is visible on the canvas — typed by style, sized by width, and ready for review before pricing.

Edit window specs

Change a window's style, material, size, glazing, or grille assignment. The product match and the estimate recompute with every edit.

Pick the product

Choose the generic baseline or a manufacturer-specific product line. A product line matches each window to the nearest-size SKU.

Edit every quantity and price

Override unit costs, labor rates, and quantities. Include or exclude any line. Add custom items. Reset to defaults anytime.

Set the install method

New construction, retrofit insert, or full-frame — the method drives the base install hours and the replacement scope.

Toggle removal, disposal, reframing

Add or remove removal, disposal, and reframing allowances. Set the reframing opening count. Demolition suppression is automatic on a full teardown.

Window BreakdownILLUSTRATIVE

Window Count

—

Per style

Install Method

—

New / retrofit

Crew Rate

—

Per hour

ITEMQTYUNIT
Vinyl single-hung unit
—window
Vinyl casement unit
—window
Fixed picture unit
—window
Flashing tape (sill + jambs)
—LF
Sill pans
—EA
Shim packs
—pack
Foam cans
—can
Fastener packs
—pack
Installation labor
—hr
Every line editable — overrides saved, defaults preserved

Illustrative breakdown — quantities and prices shown as placeholders, not actual Vega output.

TRADE BOUNDARIES

Clear Scope Boundaries Between Trades

Vega separates scope between trades to reduce duplicate estimating. Windows owns the unit and the installation; the surrounding scope belongs to the trade that builds it.

Windows
Window units
Window installation
Opening flashing tape
Sill pans
Installation consumables
Window installation labor
Millwork
Interior casing and trim
Baseboard, crown, and casing profiles
Framing
Structural headers
King and jack studs
Opening framing
Exteriors
Exterior trim and wrap
Broader exterior envelope scope
Demolition
Full-teardown removal scope
Whole-building disposal

On a full teardown, the Demolition trade bills the windows out with the structure — so removal and disposal are suppressed in Windows to avoid double-counting.

BUILT FOR

Built for Residential Window Estimating

Vega is built for the people who price residential windows — not for commercial glazing or storefront contracting.

Residential builders

Price the windows on the plan set alongside every other trade.

Custom home builders

Match manufacturer-specific products to the schedule's callouts.

General contractors

Carry windows alongside framing, exteriors, and millwork in one proposal.

Window installers

Estimate installation labor, removal, and disposal for replacement jobs.

Remodelers

Handle retrofit and full-frame replacement with reframing allowances.

Estimators

Review, edit, and override every quantity and price before the estimate goes out.

Not positioned for commercial glazing, storefront, or curtain-wall contracting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is window estimating software?

Window estimating software helps contractors turn construction plans into window counts, sizes, styles, materials, installation materials, and labor — and then into a priced estimate and a client proposal. Vega is built around that workflow for window installers, general contractors, and estimators.

Can Vega estimate windows from PDF plans?

Yes. Vega reads window markers from floor plan PDFs and — when a window schedule page is present — reads the schedule for marks, sizes, styles, materials, and glazing. The estimator reviews the resolved windows on the canvas and edits before pricing. This is an AI-assisted, estimator-controlled workflow — not a one-click automatic takeoff.

Can Vega read a window schedule?

Yes. When a window schedule is available, Vega prioritizes it over the floor-plan markers. The schedule can carry marks, counts, sizes, styles, materials, glazing information, manufacturer notes, and special conditions like impact or egress. Not every field exists on every plan — Vega uses what the schedule provides and flags what it does not.

Can Vega estimate window replacement?

Yes. Vega supports retrofit insert (the existing frame stays), full-frame replacement (the frame comes out to the rough opening), and new construction. Removal and disposal hours are added when the job calls for them, and a reframing allowance covers new or widened headers. On a full teardown, removal and disposal are suppressed so the Demolition trade is not double-counted.

Can Vega estimate client-supplied windows?

Yes. When the customer supplies the window units, Vega removes the window-unit purchase from the estimate while retaining the installation labor, flashing tape, sill pans, shims, foam, and fasteners. The window count and the crew labor are unaffected — only the base unit purchase is suppressed.

Does Vega calculate window installation labor?

Yes. Window installation labor is driven by the window count, the style complexity, the size of each window, and the installation method — priced at the crew's actual hourly rate. It is not a flat per-window dollar. New construction carries a 1.12× factor, retrofit insert is the 1.0× baseline, and full-frame replacement is 1.5×. Every labor assumption is editable.

Can Vega estimate different window styles and materials?

Yes. Vega supports single-hung, double-hung, slider, casement, awning, hopper, fixed, transom, specialty, bay, bow, and garden windows across vinyl, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, clad, and composite frame materials. Each window is matched to a product — a generic baseline or a manufacturer-specific SKU — so the unit price is a real product, not a multiplier on a single base.

Does Vega estimate window flashing and sill pans?

Yes. Vega estimates opening-installation materials — flashing tape (measured off each window's sill and jambs), sill pans, shims, low-expansion foam, and fasteners. Liquid flashing membrane is an alternative to tape, never both. Vega does not estimate the broader building-envelope waterproofing inside the Windows trade — that belongs to Exteriors and Waterproofing.

Can Vega estimate interior window casing?

No. Interior casing and trim are handled in Vega's Millwork / Trim trade rather than duplicated inside the Windows estimate. Millwork prices casing per opening — both doors and windows — alongside baseboard, crown, and other running trim. Keeping casing in Millwork prevents the same trim from being billed in two trades.

Related resources

GET STARTED

Upload the Plans. Build the Window Estimate.

See how Vega turns window schedules and floor plans into window counts, product matches, installation materials, crew labor, and a reviewable estimate.

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AI-assisted schedule extraction
Reviewable, editable results