A glass quote isn’t just a number pulled out of the air. From the moment you send us a photo to the moment you get a price back, several specific things happen on our end.
Here’s what — both because it’s interesting, and because it explains why our quotes are usually faster, more accurate, and more transparent than competitors’.
The Photo Comes In
You text a photo to (504) 368-8826. On our end, the message hits a number that gets monitored throughout the business day. Whoever’s covering the line at that moment takes the first look.
For residential and auto glass, that’s usually Michalis or someone on the sales side. For commercial work, photos route to John (commercial estimator) directly.
The first response is usually within 30-60 minutes during business hours, confirming we received it and asking any clarifying questions.
Who Looks at It First
Glass quotes aren’t a one-size-fits-all process. Different jobs need different eyes.
A windshield photo? Auto glass team handles it. They check the vehicle’s make, model, year, and any features (rain sensors, lane departure cameras, etc.) that affect the windshield specification.
A shower install photo? Residential sales walks you through hardware options, glass thickness, finish choices, and timing.
A commercial storefront or curtainwall photo — say from a Warehouse District buildout or a CBD office tower? Routes to our commercial estimator, John, who has been doing this for years. He’ll often need plans or specifications in addition to the photo.
The Measurements We Pull
From a photo alone, we can identify the type of glass, the rough scale of the project, and what installation approach is needed. We can’t always get exact dimensions — which is why we’ll often ask for a specific measurement or two before we lock in the price.
For commercial projects, we pull measurements off architectural plans when they’re provided. For residential, we use whatever the customer can measure with a tape measure, and field-verify before fabrication.
Ready to start? Text photos to (504) 368-8826. Quote usually back the same day.
Pricing the Materials
Glass pricing isn’t transparent the way most people think. Suppliers price glass by:
Size (per square foot, but with minimum cut charges)
Thickness
Glass type (clear, low-iron, tinted, patterned)
Tempered vs. annealed (tempering adds a meaningful cost)
Edge work (polish, bevel, ogee, etc.)
Holes or cutouts
Lamination or coatings
We maintain current pricing from our suppliers and roll it through to your quote. No padding for tomorrow’s price increase — we requote if the supplier changes prices materially.
Pricing the Labor
Labor costs depend on the install complexity. A standard frameless shower with no surprises: predictable time, predictable cost. A commercial curtainwall on a 3-story building: scaffolding, lift equipment, multiple crew members, sometimes night work to avoid disrupting tenants.
We price labor based on actual time and crew. Not by-the-square-foot formulas that overcharge small jobs and undercharge complex ones.
The Final Number You See
What you see in the quote: total job price, broken into materials and labor when it helps, plus any specifications relevant to the work. For residential, that’s usually a single number plus delivery details. For commercial, that’s a more detailed proposal with a payment schedule and specifications.
No hidden fees. No “plus tax” surprises (Louisiana sales tax applies to materials and is included in the quote when we can determine your specific jurisdiction).
Why Two Companies Quote Differently
If you get three quotes for the same job, you’ll often see meaningful variation. Common reasons:
Different glass specifications. One company quotes 3/8″ standard glass, another quotes 1/2″ low-iron. The price difference is real — but so is the product difference.
Different hardware. Premium hardware vs. builder-grade hardware. Big cost gap.
Different labor pricing. Companies with full-time crews price differently than companies that subcontract.
Different service levels. Free measurement, follow-up service, warranty terms — all factor in.
When comparing quotes, compare specifications. Apples to apples. We’ll always tell you what’s in our quote — and if you want us to match a competitor’s specs, we’ll do that too.
Ready to Get Started?
Star Glass Inc. serves Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the greater New Orleans metro. Reach us any way that works best for you:
Call or text: (504) 368-8826 Email: glass@starglass.com
Visit us: 1000 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053