Custom stained glass and glass commission prices
Stained glass is usually priced per square foot, by complexity. Repairs are priced per job. Fused, blown and etched pieces depend on size, technique and quantity. These published ranges show the logic; bids from real glass artists give you the number.
Published cost ranges for stained glass
| What | Published range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Custom stained glass, per square foot | $250–$600 |
| Standard premade stained glass, per square foot | $100–$250 |
| Stained glass window, national average project | $589 (typical $310–$890) |
| Stained glass repair, average job | $299 (typical $176–$426, full range $65–$797) |
| Repair labour | $50–$100 per hour |
Source: HomeAdvisor stained glass window cost and stained glass repair cost guides (updated June 2026). US figures; prices from individual artists and in your area will differ.
Custom stained glass by complexity (one quoting example)
| Complexity | Per square foot (USD) |
|---|---|
| Low complexity | $90–$150 |
| Mid-tier | $150–$250 |
| High complexity or special glass and techniques | $250 and up |
Source: Thumbtack stained glass prices page, quoting tiers from one Denver, CO professional (undated). One maker's tiers, shown to explain how complexity moves the price; not a national average.
What moves the price
- Size — Stained and fused glass are mostly priced by area. A transom and a full door panel in the same design are different jobs.
- Number of pieces and complexity — Every piece of glass is cut, ground, foiled or leaded and soldered by hand. Small pieces, tight curves and fine detail multiply the hours.
- Glass choice — Clear textured and cathedral glass cost less than hand-rolled, streaky, opalescent or mouth-blown antique glass. Bevels and jewels add cost.
- Technique — Leaded came suits large windows; copper foil suits fine detail and lamps. Kiln-fired painting and silver stain, fusing, slumping and blowing each add their own steps and firing time.
- Installation and glazing — Fitting into a window, a door or a cabinet, adding protective glazing or an insulated unit, and site visits add labour.
- Quantity — For etched glassware, signs and repeat panels, design and setup are shared across the run, so each extra piece costs less.
- Deadline — A tight date is a rush job. Rush work usually costs more, and some makers will pass.
How to brief a glass artist (paste this into your post)
- What it is: window, door or cabinet panel, suncatcher, lamp, fused dish or panel, blown piece, etched glassware, mirror or sign, or a repair.
- Exact size, or the size of the opening it has to fit (width × height, and the shape if it's arched or round).
- Colours and style, with photos of the room or a sketch or reference images you like.
- Privacy: clear, textured or obscured glass where people need to see through, or not.
- Installation: hang it yourself, fit into an existing frame, or a new window or door unit.
- For repairs: photos of the whole panel and close-ups of the damage, and whether it's still in the window.
- For etched glassware: the artwork or text with exact spelling, the item, and the quantity.
- The date you need it, and your delivery address or 'I'll collect'.
- Budget range. Glass artists bid better against a real number.