cheap but good double glazing?

clarew

Need some double glazing done. Patio door for definite and maybe 5 windows of house. Any moneysaving tips on a good,reasonable company/things to avoid or look out for when haggling?!

alanobrien

clarew wrote:

Need some double glazing done. Patio door for definite and maybe 5 windows of house. Any moneysaving tips on a good,reasonable company/things to avoid or look out for when haggling?!

The usual applies, get lots of quotes and never accept the "today only" offer someone is guarenteed to come up with.

Until recently i would have also said keep away from the big boys but a friend recently had 6 windows and 2 doors done by Anglian for 3k which suprised me greatly, i would have expected them to be much more costly than that.

I am looking at this myself and given i have 12 windows and 2 sets of patio doors to replace :eek: its something i will be looking at in minute detail. May even have to DIY at least some of it.

clarew

thanks anglican were one i was thinking of getting to quote. -have another firm coming round tonight to quote-lets hope they don't overstay their welcome!! Thanks for the advice, hubby and i were chanting this morning, "no" "no thanks", "no we won't decide tonight"!!

-anyone reckon any benefits/downsides to using nationwide companies ie:anglican and so forth, as opposed to local independent companies?

cheltonian

I have nearly 20 years exp in the window industry and there is no such thing as "good but cheap double glazing".
When you buy a car do you buy the most expensive that you can?

Poor windows compromise the security in your home. Do you want that?

The main price difference between companies is the salesmen's fee (10-20%). Choose a smaller outfit who dont use salesmen and therefore commission.

Rex_Mundi

Nationwide companies

Pros..........They have provided the source of lots jokes for many of us in the glass trade over the years.

Cons.......... High pressure sales tactics. It will be a salesman that calls round to see you, 10% to 20% of the price he quotes won't be anything to do with the windows. This will be his commision.

Much more likely to use sub contractors. They get paid per job, so the quicker they get your windows finished, the quicker they get paid, and onto the next job. This can sometimes lead to shoddy workmanship. I've seen some truly awful work done by the bigger companies.

Independent companies

Pros............ They are much more likely to employ their staff directly. This makes them much more accountable for the work they do. When you get someone call around for a quote. They are more likely to have worked fitting windows. This gives them a much better idea of the best solution for each situation. They are less likely to be paid commision for each sale. The advice they give you is less likely to be swayed by the size of their commision cheque.

Cons.......... Unfortunately, there are a lot of cowboys out there. I've lost count of the amount of window companies that have folded over the years, leaving suppliers and customers up the creek.

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Speak to any local friends that have had windows fitted. Ask them who they used, and what the service was like.

As soon as someone says 'you can have this price for today only'. Show them the door! This is high pressure sales tactics. If their price and goods are good enough, they should have no problem with you comparing that with other companies. Signing there and then doesn't let you do this.

Get a MINIMUM of three quotes before you decide.

clarew

Thanks, yep we stuck firm tonight, despite the i'll call my boss, twice and him twice lowering the "discount" if brought tonight!! Went from starting price of whole house+patio doors, of £6 to £3.5 "today only"!
Think he eventually got the message we weren't comitting today. Am going to take your advice, try 1 more nationwide company, then 2 local indepdent retailers as well, and see whats what.

didn't exactly mean "cheap but good" glazing, just meant a company that won't rip us off will sales tactics etc, and have acceptable standards.

mexicanwaver

You will need a FENSA certificate for any new windows fitted these days. If you ever come to sell your house, then solicitors will demand to see the certificate.

Some installers are certified by FENSA and can give you a certificate. If you install them yourself (or use an uncertified installer), you can still apply to FENSA to get a certificate.

cheltonian

Fensa is a self certification scheme. What you actually get is a Building Control certificate which is proof that your new windows and/or doors have been installed with Building Regulations.

You can insist that the installation company registers the building control approval through your local building control dept.

Why? Fensa inspect 1 in 50 inspections by their members. Building control HAVE to inspect EVERY installation (and will be more thorough) and have indemnity insurance if they make a mistake. Also Fensa certificates take 6-8 weeks to process, building control takes a few days.

Coveredinbees!!!!

My windows went in in Feb and I'm still waiting for my fensa cert to come. I know the guy who fitted my windows and I know he is registered but fensa take forever.

polybear

Two tips:

1. ALWAYS pay by credit card. That way if the job is crap/the firm goes out of business etc. you can get your money back from the credit card company.

2. (especially with the big companies) Wait a couple of weeks after getting a price off them. You'll be surprised how many fone back with a lower price........

Polybear.

clarew

Thanks, had thought maybe we might get a phone call trying to convince us. But hadn't realised about the building regs/fensa stuff.

Oh, the world is such a better place with mser's able to share/advise others!