Double glazing quote

craig_benham

unfortunately it's not really as easy as saying this is a fair price. it changes from area to area, london will be slightly more expensive than rural areas because of living cost etc. different systems and sizes, glass and panels, number of openers. loads of things affect prices, but if you have at least 3 quotes from similar local companies you can see what is about right.

one tip though, don't always go for cheapest unless you have seen their work, windows and met the people who will fit for you, there is a price to pay for any decent job.

on the A rated windows, be cautious. my company fits B rated windows and we are told that the reinforcing that is used prevents it from being A rated. therefore make sure they are not just removing the reinforcing or cutting other corners to reach the A rating.

really cannot suggest any better than ask friends who they have used. they will not sugar coat anything, you will see how that company finishes the job. always get recommended companies to quote. i would avoid larger companies as it can be hit and miss whether you get the top fitters or the people being taught how to. and also every stage you deal with a new person and means more mistaked can happen with no1 prepared to take responsibility.

If you cannot find any1 who is recommended, trust a trader checks the work done by companies on their books and gives you a chance to see how happy customers have been, but the thing i think is best to know how good a company should be is to find out if they have been around for long, for example the family company i work for has been going for 29 years, never changed name or number and we regularly have customers of years ago coming back. if a small company has been around ( and most importantly not changed details) they should be ok.

Trust your instincts and ask loads of questions, you don't have major work done on your property very often so any company should be happy to take some time to go through everything with you.

Duffers4768

Craig,
I used a local company who had been recommended to me but even I came a cropper. It wasn't until several months after the installation that a tradesman who used used to work in the glazing industry told me that I did not have toughened glass installed where it should be. When I confronted the installers they insisted that the glass was o.k. and did not want to know.
I reported it to the trade body but they weren't interested and it was only only when I threatened them with the building authority that the glass was replaced.

mandragora_2

Sorry - have only just found this thread - a much better place for my rant (below!):

I hate dealing with the double glazing industry - why is it so hard to find out from them what the price is? We just need one window to replace a kitchen window with. We would have been happy to go with the company we last bought windows from - the windows are really nice quality. That was before they sent the guy round - all we needed to know how much it would cost - and he knew that - no protracted negotiation, no faffing - just tell me how much it costs, and we'll decide whether or not to buy, please. No such luck. It took him and hour and a half (remember, for one window!!), and the price he finally 'got permission over the phone' to sell it to us for was some £500 less than the price he started with. £500!!!!!! He had had the nerve to start at £500 more than he was willing to accept, and even then, was only able to quote on three windows, as they have a minimum order of £1000. We didn't want threee - we wanted one - at a push could have included a second which will need doing sooner or later. If we'd been told in the initial phone call about the minimum order, we'd have known there was no point him coming round. I don't mind that they don't want to bother with single units - just for goodness' sake, say so!!


They won't be getting our money this time, and they won't be invited to quote when we put in a new conservatory and three new french windows later this year. It's left a bad taste, as they've come across as sharks. I hate this way of doing business. Anyone know how you can just get a quote without all the depressing rigmarole?

craig_benham

it is true that it can be a minefield trying to find a company who you can trust but there are some like mine out there that you can. i know that isn't much help to you when you don't know the guy you speak to from adam.

recommendation is vital, we have a family for example in elstree who had us in originally, we have now repaired and fitted windows for all of the family, they recommended us to their friends and we have now done their family and a few friends must be about 12 or 13 customers in total and all are happy to recommend. That is how you build a reputation so when you need work doing your first stop should NOT be the phone directories, it should be asking everyone you know and trust if they could recommend anyone.

People who have had work done have no loyalty to any company so you hope their recommend should be fully justified, you can see the work without any worry of pressure to buy any products and find out exactly what the company was like.

there are times when you have to try a new company from the book, difficult but there is always a first job even for good companies. always get more than one to quote, ideally at least 3 companies. you need to go on instinct half the time, but also try phoning and see if you can speak to the same person you saw originally.

alternatively, this forum brings up a new approach, ask posters if they know anyone from your area. just remember that nothing stops employees coming on here so take their advice with a pinch of salt.

ultimately, your the person who has to be happy. if the person you see doesn't make you feel at ease . . . . don't sign. glazing can cost a lot of money so take your time and don't be pressured into anything. i wish i could give you a clad iron answer but the best you can hope for is do your homework and ask to see previous customers, sample windows etc hopefully you will get a good un.

hope this helps

craig_benham

I've been asking my manufacturers about A rated windows (things can change daily) At the moment there are a few problems:

steel reinforcing can affect the energy efficiency so much it cannot make A rated so you may find the windows are not fully reinforced, if on a load bearing bay this may make very difficult and on door even more so.

Cannot do obscure glass yet either

White windows only, no foil woodgrain etc

as i said things can change daily and things are getting better all the time, but it is at that stage where a B rated window my give you more for the little energy rating drop. ask the question to whoever is offering and see what they say

retireby50

macforsy96 wrote: »

I am thinking of have all my glazing replaced by a reputable company (ie everest, anglian etc). I live in a standard 3 bedroom house and would be looking to have 8 A-grades energy efficient windows fitted (UPVC-Sash).
Whats a fair price??

Cheers
Mcf96

If the definition of reputable is start off at £28,000 and then come down to £11,000 then Anglian definitely qualify. I only invited them round because they stuck a flyer through the letterbox just when we were looking for quotes and I fancied a giggle. The funniest bit was when he went to his car to "do the calculations" and then came back 25 minutes later to get his calculator he had left in the house!! :rotfl:

Go for a local company with honest pricing recommended by friends...always.

Old_Man_3

Just a quick note. Go for the best B rated window you can afford. The extra price for an A rated window is not really justified and would take a long time for you to recoup the outlay

dawn27

my brother works for a double glazing firm (as a fitter)and says that the firm always quotes for A & B rated windows but they only ever supply one type of window they don't have two types

BargainHunter09

cashprincezac wrote: »

Let me know if you are near Nottingham/Derby as I know a great firm that did the windows in my three previous houses...

Hi cashprincezac,

I live within that locality - could you let me know some info on this great firm please.

Thankyou.