On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Lowe's vs. competitors
- Step by step
- Are Lowe's windows and installation legit?
- Lowe's windows cost
- What windows Lowe's sells and installs
- Lowe's window warranty
- Lowe's window installation complaints
- Your rights when you buy windows
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Lowe's is a legitimate way to buy replacement windows: you get a free in-home consultation, a quote that bundles product, labor and financing, and a choice of several window brands from one retailer. The tradeoff is that independent contractors do the work, so quality depends on your local installer, and Lowe's describes its warranties two ways (a one-year labor warranty on installation and a double-lifetime window warranty), so get the written terms before you sign. In November 2025 Lowe's agreed to a proposed $12.5 million federal penalty over lead-safety failures by its contractors, which matters if your home was built before 1978.
- Brands
- Pella, JELD-WEN, RELIABILT and United Window & Door1
- Price
- Not published; quote after a free in-home consultation and depends on window type, material and installation method1
- Who installs
- Independent installers, background checked, insured and licensed where applicable1
- Warranty
- Lowe's lists a double-lifetime window warranty for windows and installation bought through Lowe's, and a one-year labor warranty on the installation service1
- What's included
- Installation in the same size opening if it's in good condition, caulking and insulating, testing, removal and haul-away of old windows, and cleanup1
- Timeline
- Consultation about 90 minutes; a whole-home installation usually takes one to two days once product arrives1
- BBB
- Lowe's Home Centers, LLC: A+, accredited since May 1, 1977; 11,857 complaints in the last 3 years (all departments)3
- Federal action
- Proposed $12.5 million penalty announced November 25, 2025, over lead-safe work rule violations by Lowe's contractors, mostly 2019 to 20215
Pros
- Free in-home consultation and measurement
- Several window brands and frame materials in one place
- Quote bundles product, labor and financing options
- Old windows removed and hauled away
- Large, long-running company with an A+ BBB rating
Cons
- Prices aren't published, so you need a quote to compare
- Independent installers, so work quality varies by area
- Warranty described two ways on the same page; get the written terms
- $12.5 million proposed federal penalty over contractors' lead-safety failures
- Very low Trustpilot score, with many installation complaints
Best for: Homeowners who want to compare several window brands in one place and prefer dealing with a large national retailer and its financing.
Skip it if: You want the same crew that sells the job to install it, or you'd rather hire and vet a local installer yourself.
Lowe's vs. competitors
| Company | Window brands | Prices published | Warranty | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe's | Pella, JELD-WEN, RELIABILT, United Window & Door | No | Double-lifetime window warranty plus one-year labor warranty, per Lowe's | A+, accredited since 1977 |
| Renewal by Andersen | Its own Fibrex windows | No | Limited warranty; ask for terms | A+, accredited (Renewal by Andersen LLC) |
| Window Nation | Its own vinyl windows | No | Lifetime warranty, per the company | A+, accredited |
| Champion Windows | Its own vinyl windows | No | Limited lifetime, original owner only | C+, not accredited |
Lowe's, step by step
Book a free consultation
Fill out Lowe's online form or visit a store. A project specialist comes to your home, shows samples and measures, which takes about 90 minutes.
Get your quote
The quote lists product and labor costs and financing options. Compare it with at least two other installers before you accept.
Final measurement
After you accept, an independent installer visits to check measurements and site conditions.
Wait for the windows
Custom windows are ordered, and the installer calls you to schedule once the product arrives.
Installation day
The installer removes and hauls away old windows, installs, caulks, insulates and tests the new ones, then reviews the warranty with you.
Are Lowe's windows and installation legit?
Yes. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a public company (NYSE: LOW) founded in 1921 that operated 1,759 home improvement stores and outlets in the U.S. as of January 30, 2026, according to its annual report. Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC has an A+ BBB rating and has been accredited since 1977.
Lowe’s itself doesn’t install windows. Its annual report says installation services are provided through independent contractors or a third-party model, and its window page says installers are background checked, insured and licensed where applicable. So the company is legitimate, but your experience depends heavily on the local installer.
Lowe's windows cost
Lowe’s doesn’t publish installed prices. It says the cost depends on the window type, the material around the opening, the exterior wall material and the installation method, and you get a quote with product, labor and financing options after the free consultation.
Because there’s no price list, get at least two other written quotes for the same number of windows, the same frame material and glass package, and the same installation method (insert or full-frame). Ask each quote to list removal, disposal, trim and any rot repair separately.
What windows Lowe's sells and installs
Lowe’s lists Pella, JELD-WEN, RELIABILT and United Window & Door as its window brands. It installs double-hung, single-hung, casement, sliding, awning, fixed, bay and picture windows, in vinyl, fiberglass, wood and aluminum. Basement and attic windows are possible but need a site visit.
Standard installation covers a same-size opening in reasonably good condition. If your frame has rotten wood or you want a different size, expect extra cost and possibly a different installation method.
What customers say about Lowe's
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Knowledgeable staff at specific stores
- One place to choose windows, get a quote and arrange financing
- Choice of several window brands
Common complaints
- Installations delayed for weeks or months
- Wrong products delivered, forcing reorders
- Poor workmanship and defects that aren't fixed
- Long hold times and hard-to-reach customer service
- Confusion over who is responsible, the store or the installer
Lowe's window warranty
Lowe’s window page describes two layers. Its FAQ says Lowe’s offers a double-lifetime window warranty for windows and installation purchased through Lowe’s, covering craftsmanship and installation defects. Elsewhere on the same page it says the installation service is backed by a one-year labor warranty. Each window brand also has its own product warranty.
Ask for all of these in writing before you sign: what the double-lifetime warranty covers after year one, whether labor is included and for how long, whether it transfers to a buyer, and who you call for service, Lowe’s or the installer.
Lowe's window installation complaints
Lowe’s has 1.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 8,446 reviews and 11,857 BBB complaints in three years, though both cover the whole company, not just windows. Installation reviews describe long delays, wrong products, poor workmanship, defects that aren’t fixed and trouble getting the store and installer to take responsibility.
In November 2025 the Justice Department and EPA announced a proposed settlement in which Lowe’s Home Centers agreed to pay a $12.5 million penalty over violations of the lead-safe work rule by its contractors at hundreds of homes, mostly from 2019 to 2021, after failing to carry out a 2014 settlement. If your home was built before 1978, ask for the installer’s EPA lead-safe certification and how they will contain dust.
Your rights when you buy windows
If you sign a contract during an in-home sales visit, the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule generally gives you three business days to cancel for a full refund, and the seller must tell you about that right in writing. Pre-1978 homes are covered by the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, which requires certified firms to use lead-safe practices.
Check that the installer holds any license your state requires (Lowe’s posts its installer license numbers by state), keep copies of the quote, contract and warranty, and don’t make the final payment until every window opens, locks and seals properly.
Who should look elsewhere
Homeowners who want the company that sells the job to employ the installers, people with complex projects such as rot repair or new openings, and anyone who wants a published price before booking a visit. A local window company or a manufacturer-direct installer may be a better fit, but get written quotes from at least three.
Alternatives to Lowe's
- Renewal by Andersen Better if you want one company to make and install the window, though you lose brand choice. Read review
- Window Nation A dedicated window company, worth a competing quote if you want vinyl windows. Read review
- A local window contractor Often installs the same brands Lowe's sells; ask for a license, insurance, lead-safe certification for older homes and a written workmanship warranty.
- Buy the windows and hire your own installer You can buy stock windows from Lowe's and hire an installer yourself, which gives you control over who does the work but splits the warranty responsibility.
Lowe's reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Does Lowe's install windows?
Yes, through independent installers it hires. Lowe's handles the consultation, quote and project, and the installer measures, removes old windows and installs the new ones.
How much does Lowe's charge to install windows?
Lowe's doesn't publish prices. You get a quote with product and labor after a free in-home consultation, and the price depends on window type, materials and installation method.
Is the Lowe's window consultation free?
Yes. Lowe's offers a free in-home consultation, which takes about 90 minutes, with samples and measurements.
What window brands does Lowe's sell?
Lowe's lists Pella, JELD-WEN, RELIABILT and United Window & Door.
Does Lowe's use its own installers?
No. Lowe's uses independent installers who it says are background checked, insured and licensed where applicable.
What warranty comes with Lowe's window installation?
Lowe's lists a double-lifetime window warranty covering craftsmanship and installation defects for windows and installation bought through Lowe's, and separately mentions a one-year labor warranty on installation. Get the written warranty terms with your quote.
How long does Lowe's window installation take?
Lowe's says a whole-home installation usually takes one to two days. The wait for custom windows to arrive comes first and is not published.
Is Lowe's or Home Depot better for windows?
Both sell several brands and use independent installers, so the local installer matters more than the store. Get written quotes from both and from a local window company, and compare warranty terms line by line.
What is Lowe's BBB rating?
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC has an A+ rating and has been BBB accredited since 1977, with 11,857 complaints in the last three years across all departments.
Did Lowe's get fined over window installations?
In November 2025 Lowe's agreed to a proposed $12.5 million penalty over its contractors' violations of the EPA lead-safe work rule during home renovations, mostly from 2019 to 2021. The settlement required court approval.
Sources (7)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Lowe's: Window Installation and Replacement (archived February 7, 2026; live page blocks automated access) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- SEC EDGAR: Lowe's Companies, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year ended January 30, 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Lowe's Home Centers, LLC business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Lowe's reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Justice: Lowe's Home Centers to pay $12.5M penalty for lead paint violations (November 25, 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: FTC Cooling-Off Rule, 16 CFR Part 429 (accessed October 12, 2026)
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