A window in disrepair can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. Whether it's the actual glass that is the problem, or the frame around it, broken windows are drafty, inefficient, and unattractive; when a window breaks, most homeowners rightly view the situation as needing to be remedied immediately. In Chicago, window repair is an especially pressing task during the cold winter months, as a strong draft in the Windy City will cost you dollars, as well as comfort.
Types of Chicago Window Repairs
There are so many different kinds of windows on the market these days that it would be difficult to list all of the things that can go wrong with each. Fixing a chip in the glass of an average sized single pane double hung window is a far different operation than mending a crack in a double pane bow window. In Chicago, window repair is almost as varied as the city's inhabitants; when a problem does arise (and with an element of the home that has moving parts and such delicate surfaces, this is likely), your best bet is to have a contractor that you trust to give you sound advice on what needs to be done.
Chicago Window Repair Contractors
For a simple window repair, Chicago residents might not need to go to a window specialist at all. If you're dealing with a loose piece of glass, a drafty window frame, or any relatively small task, you might consider hiring someone from a handyman service instead of calling a company that only deals in windows. The great thing about hiring a handyman is that you can combine several small jobs together and have them taken care of at the same time. This will not only make the day to day function of your house better in a short amount of time, but may also save you a pretty penny by hiring only one person instead of using a different company for each job. Tasks like fixing leaky faucets, repairing rain gutters, and mending drafty windows can all be handled by a handyman, just be sure to let them know everything you need done upfront so they can be prepared with the right equipment.
More involved work will probably need to be done by a qualified Chicago window repair contractor. Severe damage to glass (especially in a picture or bay window), extensive frame damage, and other large jobs will require the expertise of someone who specializes in such work. There are many companies in the Chicago area that will be able to perform these kinds of tasks, but finding the right one for you might take a little leg work. Particularly for jobs involving very large windows, you'll want to get several estimates from a few different contractors. These jobs get expensive, but getting multiple quotes will give you a better idea of what you should expect to pay for your particular situation.
Chicago Window Repair Prices
The cost for window repair in Chicago varies a great deal from job to job. At ServiceMagic, we catalogue every job we process across the country, including Chi-town. Our data shows that work on window frames ranges anywhere from $150 to more than $1,000, with the average job coming in at about $500. Repairs to window glass start at about $50 and go up to $900, with most jobs running around $300 or $350. Handyman services can cost as much as $1,000 in some cases, but our figures show that most jobs in Chicago are less than $500, and many of these are in the $100 to $300 range.

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.