Advice regarding replacement windows please

dispossessed

We are in the process of obtaining replacement windows.

After getting several written quotes we decided upon a company and advised them accordingly. Next a chap came to the house and took measurements.

Today (5 days later) they have telephoned to arrange fitting - but we have not yet seen any examples of the windows on offer !

I have never been through this process before but is this normal ?

I was under the impression that before any company would agree to supply and fit windows they would draw up a contract and that would (obviously)include some reference to the design. Hence you would get to see, verify and agree what would actually be installed prior to signing any contract.

I like to think I am a reasonably well educated chap but I am totally confused at this point. Therefore any advice / information on the "normal" practice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Trevor

Owain_Moneysaver

'Usually' the initial salesman/surveyor has sample windows.

moderngirl

in reply to the OP, our company usually sends the salesmen out to discuss all requirements including window designs. He then confirms the details in a written quotation, the customer then signs the order, but the customer still has a 7 days cooling off period , should he wish to cancel, and then the installation date is confirmed.

In response to the samples, we ask the customer to visit the showroom and take a look at all the options available.

The company that you have dealt with seems a bit premature, and i would question you quotation with the company and get all the details before accepting delivery or a fitting date.

nbedin

Trevor
In my last 3 properties, over a 20(+) year period, my wife and I used the Window Advice Centre
The forum won't let me put in a link: Google "Window Advice Centre"

1) they are NOT affiliated to anyone;
2) will ALWAYS give you 5 quotes - following a survey by their own surveyor;
3) will guarantee their quotes are the 5 cheapest that they get;
give a standard 10 year guarantee with all fitings, regardless of which company you choose;
4) the company's own surveyor, once you've accepted, then does a follow-up survey pre-fit;
5) we have never had any problems; charging was reasonable; windows good

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else.
Hope that helps
Nigel

moderngirl

in response to nbedin reply, although i accept your praise for the window advice centre and how wonderful they are, this company in my opinion seems to be a middle man! they get your details and requirements, farm them out for quotes, add a commision, give the customer 5 / 10 quotes for the works and sit and wait for the order and more commision. They dont actually do anything, but the paperwork, for all we know someone could be sat in the back typing a number of quotes up on different paper!
Alot of the customers we have are referrals and complement us on our ability, our knowledge and our overall guidence in the whole procedure from start to finish, alot of small companies are like this and shouldnt be chosen by a " advice centre " for the cheapest quotation with the most commission.
as the saying goes " you get what you pay for. "

dispossessed

I am aware of The Window Advice Centre (but thanks anyway).

What I am trying to obtain is information / advice on the normal process involved when one is obtaining replacement windows. I would reiterate our experience so far .....

After getting several written quotes we decided upon a company and advised them accordingly. Next a chap came to the house and took measurements.

Today (5 days later) they have telephoned to arrange fitting - but we have not yet seen any examples of the windows on offer !

I was under the impression that before any company would agree to supply and fit windows they would draw up a contract and that would (obviously) include some reference to the design.

None of the companies who quoted have have physically shown us any designs.

One company did include some (very) basic line drawings included with the quote.

Many thanks to all who have responded so far - much appreciated.

Trevor

shellsuit

How would they be able to give you written quotes, if they didn't know what you would be choosing, as they wouldn't know the price?

You might wanted leaded windows, you might want wood look upvc, you might want plain bog standard or you might want the one with a film on the glass.

When they telephoned today about fitting, did you not comment on exactly just what are they going to fit when you haven't chosen anything?

dispossessed

"How would they be able to give you written quotes, if they didn't know what you would be choosing, as they wouldn't know the price?"

A good point and one that I did indeed wonder about myself.

Hoewever, never having been through the process before, and on the basis that all the companies quoting did the same thing, I could only conclude that that was "par for the course" within the industry.

Were our current wooden windows not thoroughly rotten there is no way I would have entered into the process !

Trevor

theGrinch

OP, I am not sure what kind of windows that you are getting, but I am in the process of getting replacement sash windows modelled on the original style.

So far I have had 12 estimates and three quotes. I am asking questions about the kind of wood, source, glass spec, payment details, references, timescale, guarantees, joint types, fitting cost etc. I will then ask to see samples or visit their workshop. Yes I may be a pain but its better to be a pain now then thoroughly unsatisfied after.

It appears there is no like for like estimate as each with work with different materials and specs (lead vs springs etc) in my sash window case. I have had estimates from £3k to £25k - its baffling.

I assume they are costing you a fair wack so do not be worried about asking questions!

sashman

Happy to help you through the mine field if you PM me.

We are helping a guy who thought he had the answer buying cheap sash windows. The company he chose, showed our brochures to convince him they were good quality etc, then supplied a cheaper alternative without telling him.

Its on BBC breakfast show on Tuesday

Lesson, dont take anything at face value, check, ckeck and ckeck again, get it in writing, and select a manufacturer that guarantees the workmanship (and financial standing) of their local installers. We do but we are more expensive than everyone else?!

sashman