Double Glazing, any recommendations?

Israfel

I'm looking to replace all the old windows I have in the house I bought as they're very old and in poor enough condition, I want to do this before next winter so I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend or tell me to avoid any companies, I've requested someone from Everest to come round for a quote at the weekend but I'll be honest it's my first house and I have no clue about these things.

Cheers

GSXRCarlos

Everest will be massively overpriced, for what you really want

Where abouts are you in the country?

Israfel

Hi Carlos, thanks for the quick reply, I'm in South wales, I bought a 1900's bay fronted terrace house which was an ex student rental so as you can imagine needs a lot of work. The kitchen and bathroom extension is already double glazed but the windows in the main house are very old, I'm looking at four normal windows and a bay window probably (although I would love to keep the original bay)

SmlSave

I agree with Carlos that Everest will be expensive, they were 3x the price of all the other quotes we got!

My windows are getting fitted Thursday - will let you know what they're like. We're using Town & Country Windows but I think they might just be local to Wiltshire.

I got five quotes - all from companies that had been personally recommended - and chose a mid-range one that we liked

sandiep

I would recommend a good local joiner who comes recommended rather than the big double glazing companies. From my experience the cost you pay comes in three thirds, 1/3 is the cost of the windows/conservatory/units etc, 1/3 is the the cost of the joiners and builders, 1/3 is profit.

However, if you need planning permission, conservation areas, or if you have awkward access, need cherry pickers or any other such complications, I would be tempted to go with a double glazing company, get a fixed price and leave them to sort all that out.

Conservatory priced at £4k for actually cost £1.2k for the actual unit from the factory.

hebridean

Do not use a company that predicts the weather and promises to hold it at bay at any cost.

Israfel

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I don't know any local installers or know anyone thats used them so I guess I'll just go round to a few and ask for quotes. Been reading around the web and the big boys certainly sound like they should be avoided, the reports on one company (safestyle uk) are shocking, I wouldn't even have them in for a quote after reading some of the stuff.

Israfel

Actually, if anyone is based in south wales, or more specifically the swansea area and can recommend a local double glazing installers please pm me, thanks

GSXRCarlos

I used a company called Window Systems Limited, they really came through for me after another company went bust. They're based in Leigh, but may Travel???

If you do speak to them, let them know Carl Hague (Preston) gave you their details - might as well get my £50 from them for a referal :j

Window Systems LtdDouble Glazing Installers

Tel: 01942 608637| 3-8, Platt Fold St, Leigh, Lancashire WN7 1JH

*ps, i don't work for them, nor am i affiliated in any way*

Errata

Get 3 or even 4 local companies to quote, look in yellow pages for ones near you.
Talk to all of them as much as you want for as long as you want, you'll soon get a feel for things and be able to use your judgment about which one, if any, would be best. Bear in mind that if any company employs salesmen, their wages come out of the profit and that pushes the price up above companies that use working managers/foremen/surveyors .

GSXRCarlos

if you can, measure the windows yourself, then fax or tell them over the phone

While they won't gove you a difinitive price, it'll give you an idea.

You can then use this price against companies like safestyle and everest.

Sales men can be pushy, i just laughed at the guy from *enter window company name of choice*.

Him: How much are you looking to spend
Me: £2000-£2500 at a push
H: Not sure we can match that, let me check the brochure, ok price is £9000 in the book, but we've got a summer offer, i can do it for £3k
M: Nope, i've had a quote of £2k, can you match it
H: Let me speak to my boss
Telecon
Him: ok, we can do it for £2,700
Me: that's still not £2k
H: our windows are better
M: i don't care, are they 2 grand???
H: have a think and let me know
M: i doubt it

Lots of phonecalls from them, ended with me suggesting that if they didn't stop calling they might need their own new windows

Funny, i've not heard from them for a while

and my new windows went in for £2k, very shiny and i'm really happy with them