Window repair is one of the highest-volume handyman searches in Los Angeles for a reason — most window problems don't need replacement, they need a fix. A stuck sash, a torn screen, a broken balance, a foggy IGU, a busted crank — every one of these is a $100–$500 repair, not a $1,500–$3,000 replacement. Red Stag's window-repair service handles all of them. Full window replacement (new frames, new glass packages, retrofits) goes to our sister company, Red Stag Windows & Doors. If your window is fixable, we fix it; if it isn't, we'll tell you and refer you over.
The most-common window call in LA is the painted-shut sash. It happens because at some point in the home's life, a painter rolled the trim and the sash together with latex paint and the bond cured. The fix is not 'pry it open' — that breaks the sash. The right fix is to score the paint line with a utility blade or a paint-shut tool from inside and outside, gently work the sash with a putty knife at the corners, and then sand and touch-up the bonded edges before the window goes back into normal operation. Whole repair in 30–45 minutes for $95–$185.
Sash balance failure is the second most-common call. Modern double-hung windows use a constant-force or torsion spring balance to hold the sash up; older windows use sash weights and ropes. When the balance fails, the sash crashes down (or won't stay up). Replacement balances are inexpensive ($15–$45 per balance) but ordering the right type requires the manufacturer name, the balance length, and the spring force. Red Stag carries common balance types (Caldwell, Kessler, Ashland, Marvin) on the truck and orders OEM specials when needed. Balance replacement runs $135–$245 per window.
Foggy double-pane glass means the IGU seal has failed and moisture has condensed between the panes. The frame is fine — only the glass package needs to come out. We measure the IGU, order the replacement (usually 7–10 days), and on the install visit we pop the stop, swap the IGU, re-bed it, replace the stop and seal. Standard-size IGU replacements run $185–$485 each. Oversized or laminated specialty glass costs more and takes longer to source. This is a fraction of the cost of a full window replacement and most homeowners are surprised they didn't have to replace the whole window.
Window screen repair is the smallest job we do — but it gets us inside the door, and we never charge a trip fee. A standard window screen rebuild (re-mesh, re-spline, frame straighten) runs $45–$95 and we can do four or five at once on the same visit. Pet-resistant mesh, sun-screen mesh, and solar mesh upgrades are available with a small upcharge. Most LA homes have at least one window where the screen popped out two summers ago and never went back in — this is a great add-on to any other handyman call.
We do not handle full window replacement, retrofit window installation, or sliding glass door system replacement. Those are our sister company, Red Stag Windows & Doors (redstagwindows.com). If your window is genuinely past saving — rotted frame, broken sash, multi-failure across the unit — we'll diagnose it on-site and refer you over with the measurements already taken. The two companies share data, so the referral is seamless.
Flat-rate pricing across all 29 of our LA County service cities. Final price is locked in before any work begins.
| Service Type | Flat-Rate Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Painted-shut window release | $95–$185 |
| Sash balance replacement (per window) | $135–$245 |
| Window screen rebuild (standard size) | $45–$95 |
| Foggy IGU glass replacement (standard) | $185–$485 |
| Casement crank operator replacement | $165–$285 |
| Window latch / sash lock replacement | $85–$155 |
| Slider track cleaning + roller replacement | $135–$245 |
| Window perimeter re-caulk (per window) | $65–$135 |
Click your city for local pricing, response time, and the housing-stock context that makes window repair different in your neighborhood.
Yes. A foggy double-pane window means the insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed and moisture has condensed between the panes — the frame and sash are still fine. We measure the IGU, order the replacement glass (typically 7–10 day lead time), and swap it on a follow-up visit. Standard-size IGU replacement in LA runs $185–$485 per window vs. $1,500–$3,000 for full window replacement.
A painted-shut window release in LA runs $95–$185 flat-rate. The fix involves scoring the paint line, gently freeing the sash, sanding and touch-up paint on the bonded edges, and a final operation test. Most stuck windows are 30–45 minute repairs that don't require any new parts.
Red Stag Handyman handles repairs only — stuck sashes, broken balances, torn screens, foggy glass, broken cranks, latches, and perimeter caulk. Full window replacement, retrofit windows, sliding glass door systems, and new construction windows go to our sister company, Red Stag Windows & Doors (redstagwindows.com). If your job needs replacement, we'll tell you on the diagnosis visit.
Yes. Pre-1950s LA homes (Spanish revival, Craftsman, mid-century) often have original sash-weight double-hungs with rope-and-pulley counterweights inside the jamb. We open the access panel, replace the rope, re-thread the weight, and reset the sash. Sash-rope replacement runs $185–$385 per window depending on whether the access panel is intact or needs to be cut.
Window perimeter caulk lasts 5–8 years in LA before UV and seismic movement cause failure. We scrape the old caulk, prep the joint, and bead with paintable acrylic-latex sealant matched to your trim color. Per-window perimeter re-caulk runs $65–$135. This is one of the highest-ROI repairs you can make — it stops drafts, prevents water intrusion, and costs a fraction of any window replacement.