Selling: Replace blown dbl glazed units?

mrsbp

Hello

Can anyone advise whether it would be cost effective to replace some blown uPVC double glazed units before we sell our house?

They're on the front of the house, and really obvious when the sun is low in the morning (which is also the best time to view as it makes the rooms really bright) so I guess pretty important cosmetically. We've been quoted approx £60 ex VAT per unit (750x750 and 20mm thick) so we'll end up spending just over £700. Do you think we'll recoup the cost when we sell? Or alternatively will it put buyers off if we don't do it?

I think my inclination is that we have to do it, but it's a HUGE chunk of money! (Am going to get some additional quotes now - this was the first I got).

Many thanks in advance for any responses.

poppysarah

You could do what they do on that open day prog and give the quote to viewers.

Are you replacing all or just the ones that are gone?

Jorgan_2

Personally I'd change the units. Its a difficult market at the moment and by changing them it may be one less 'barrier' you have overcome in a buyers mind. Many people thinking the entire window needs to be replaced not just the sealed units, so they think its a very expensive job. Providing the buyer with a couple of quotes may help overcome this but you have just pointed out a problem to the buyer that they hadn't noticed themselves.

mrsbp

I'm just replacing the ones that have blown, but that's all of the ones on the front of the house unfortunately!

Know what you mean about drawing attention to the problem Jorgan - they were blown when we bought and didn't even notice! (although it was summer so less obvious)

poppysarah

Or do viewings only when it's raining.
If they notice give them the quotes maybe? If they don't, they a surveyor might well pick it up, so give him the quote to pass on.

Premier_2

Replace them.

Some people don't want to buy a property that they already know they'll need to do work on when they get the keys, and those that do usually are looking for a bargain to do up and make money on.

If I saw a few units were blown (not just one), I'd worry about the quality & longevity of the remaining ones too, so would probably just knock off the price of completely replacing all the windows throughout (plus a bit for the inconvenience of having to carry out the work after purchase). Be aware that many purchasers won't have the spare funds available to replace the windows immediately after the expense of buying a new house, so you could reduce your market further.

JayZed

I agree absolutely. Replace them. In this market, an issue like that could lose you a sale, and £700 is a small price to pay to clinch a sale.

mlz1413

mrsbp is it £60 for a new unit or just for the glass? Do you really have 12 units on the front of the house?

my fella has just replaced the glass in my Dad's Upvc units and I was amazed how easy it is, we did 5 units, 2 of which were toughened glass due to size of window and it was £100 for the glass.

I'd ring a local upvc company (not a chain) about just replacing the glass, or look in your local paper for adverts - someone local to me is running a big ad about don't spend out on a new unit when only the glass needs replacing.

tuggy12

mrsbp wrote: »

Hello
Can anyone advise whether it would be cost effective to replace some blown uPVC double glazed units before we sell our house?

Are you sure they're all out of warranty?

Most sealed units are guaranteed for at least 10 years.

Janie2008

I had the same problem when I came to sell my house, though I didn't have so many to repace. I paid £250 to replace 4 and think it was worth it. We actually had more failed units but I only replaced the most obvious. Didn't bother with the smaller ones. Have you just got the 1 quote? it might be worth getting more. Do you need to replace them all, maybe look to see which are the more obvious, downstairs maybe.

mrsbp

Hmm, sounds like the general gist is that I should replace them, thank you everyone for your advice.

I'm just replacing the sealed units (ie the two pieces of glass sandwiched together and sealed with molten rubber) - the surrounds are fine. Unfortunately there are 10 units that need to be replaced - it's an edwardian house, and the sash windows were replaced with these horrid uPVC things about 15 years ago (I think, although I'll check to see if we have any paperwork on it - thanks tuggy) so there are 4 in each of the bays and 2 on the single window. Will def get a couple more quotes. Have gone with a local company rather than a chain (everest just wanted to rip the whole lot out and wouldn't even consider replacement units!) and will try to find a couple more in the local paper.