Double Glazing Quote in Surrey - any opinions?

JCP

7 windows in a fake neo georgian type look
1 @ 1800x1300 3 panels - 2 side window openings and 1 top in the middle (if that makes ANY sense?)
1 @ 1800 x 1100 3 panels - 2 side window openings
2 @ 1200 x 1200 2 panels - 1 side window opening and 1 top
1 @ 1200 x 1100 2 panels
These 5 are A rated

Then the bathroom windows (which are B rated - don't really know why - presumably there is a reason?)
1 @ 1200 x 1100 2 panels - 1 side window opening and 1 top
1 @ 600 x 1100 1 panel with top opening

Replace the dummy shutters by the front windows.
Replace all soffits fascia and guttering
Erect scaffolding to enable replacement of window over conservatory and the soffits etc.

All in all this comes to £6290 inc VAT

The quote comes from a local window company (Woking, Surrey)

Never had a double glazing quote before, so don't have a clue if this is reasonable or not.

Is it worth getting a quote from one of the big companies (Anglian, Everest etc)? Whilst this salesman was in and out in 45mins and was only interested in getting the measurements etc, I do worry a bit about getting someone in who I can't get out the door again (possibly being a pathetic girly type here but I do worry about it )

All opinions gratefully received.
J

Davidjohnson

We had an Everest Salesman who came in, talked for one hour. Then wanted to spend another hour to measure up. We had things to do (and only anticipated him taking an hour max) so we told him to come back another time to measure up.

He came back tonight and was here for another 2.5 hours!! Then, he quoted an insane £70,000!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not like we have a mansion with lots of windows. We have a 5 bed house which isn't massive (25 windows (including two doors).

How on earth do they have the balls to quote that!! I'm no expert on double glazing but perhaps look into a local company that is well recognised....

Innys

JCP wrote: »

7 windows in a fake neo georgian type look
1 @ 1800x1300 3 panels - 2 side window openings and 1 top in the middle (if that makes ANY sense?)
1 @ 1800 x 1100 3 panels - 2 side window openings
2 @ 1200 x 1200 2 panels - 1 side window opening and 1 top
1 @ 1200 x 1100 2 panels
These 5 are A rated

Then the bathroom windows (which are B rated - don't really know why - presumably there is a reason?)
1 @ 1200 x 1100 2 panels - 1 side window opening and 1 top
1 @ 600 x 1100 1 panel with top opening

Replace the dummy shutters by the front windows.
Replace all soffits fascia and guttering
Erect scaffolding to enable replacement of window over conservatory and the soffits etc.

All in all this comes to £6290 inc VAT

The quote comes from a local window company (Woking, Surrey)

Never had a double glazing quote before, so don't have a clue if this is reasonable or not.

Is it worth getting a quote from one of the big companies (Anglian, Everest etc)? Whilst this salesman was in and out in 45mins and was only interested in getting the measurements etc, I do worry a bit about getting someone in who I can't get out the door again (possibly being a pathetic girly type here but I do worry about it )

All opinions gratefully received.
J

JCP - can you please tell me who the quote is from and why you chose them? I'm looking at getting my windows replaced and I live in Woking so I have an interest in what you decide.

Maybe we should offer them a "job lot" and haggle a discount.....?

ormus

average cost per DG unit should be in the region of 400 quid.
double that for bay windows/patio doors etc...
so as above, about 3k/4k for the OP (DG only), and for the everest one, say about 12.5k/15k.

get more quotes.

rustybucket

We used a guy with a small business who is Farnham way.

Had 4 quotes in all, ranged between 4.5k to about 3k.

He was the cheapest (2.5k), but he did an excellent job. My neighbour recommended him. If you want more info message me and i'll give you details.

zagfles

JCP wrote: »

Is it worth getting a quote from one of the big companies (Anglian, Everest etc)? Whilst this salesman was in and out in 45mins and was only interested in getting the measurements etc, I do worry a bit about getting someone in who I can't get out the door again (possibly being a pathetic girly type here but I do worry about it )

All opinions gratefully received.
J

The big companies will do exactly what you worry about - all they're interested in is getting you to sign up on the night, they're not interested in giving you a quote you can think about. They'll quote some stupid initial price but come up with some vast discount which (for some flimsy reason) you can only get if you sign up immediately. They will try to stay until you either sign up or firmly insist they go! If you do get them round be prepared for this, research what a reasonable price is and aim for lower than it (I've heard that a quarter of the original quote is good target to aim for!). A good tactic is to arrange something for an hour after the appointment, eg a friend coming round to take you out, so you have a definite time limit.

But if you don't want to play these silly games stick with a small local firm.

JCP

@ Innys: The quote it from The Glass Centre in Horsell, Woking. I'm not originally from the area so I'm not sure who "good" local firms are, but they did some patio doors for a friend who seemed happy to recommend them.

@ormus The breakdown of the quote is:
£4190 inc vat for the windows
£1490 for the soffits, fascias, guttering and the scaffolding which is needed
£750 for the fake shutters
I've just realised that this doesn't add up to their total of 6290, but to £6430(?), and if the last two individual figures don't include VAT it would be even more - apparently arithmetic isn't the salesman's strongpoint. Bit confused now.

@RustyBucket. I'm being more dim than usual, and can't work out how to PM having never used it on here before. I blame a 12hr day at work - got to pay for these windows somehow I would be interested in the details if you have them handy though thanks.

The opinions are all useful - thanks guys - I'll skip the big companies, as I think I'd struggle to deal with their sales tactics effectively.

One of the chaps at work has mentioned Amazon Windows today, so I'll give them a call in the morning and see if I can get a quote from them too.

anjb

Davidjohnson wrote: »

.

He came back tonight and was here for another 2.5 hours!! Then, he quoted an insane £70,000!!!!!!!!!!!! .

:rotfl: Brilliant!!

JCP

Good call by Ormus I think to get more quotes.

Just had guy from Amazon Windows round (yup, on Valentine's Day - how sad am I?)

New breakdown (same spec as above minus the shutters which they don't do):
Windows - £3895
Soffits, Facia, Guttering - £965
Front Door (half glass half uPVC) - £790
Total - £5695

Turned out the first lot forgot the front door from the quote - including that pushed their quote to just over £7k.
Does this look more like it?

Innys

I actually live 300 yards from The Glass Centre in Horsell so if your friend recommends them, I may give them a whirl.

Incidentally, don't bother with this lot:

http://www.windsorwindows.net/

I used them to supply and fit a UPVC back door two years ago and within 6 months draughts were coming through it and they showed no interest in fixing it.

HaslemereBoy

I have got quotes from Everest, Anglian and a local company.

An interesting point incidentally on this concept of "local" - the independent company is based over 20 miles away and hasn't installed any windows in our direction, while the Everest rep lives 4 miles away and can show me photos and give addresses that he's organised the double-glazing for in my own town.

In line with comments I've read from others on the MSE forums, the Everest one is the most expensive (over £13K) followed by Anglian (just under £10K). The independent is just under £11K **but** his quote is based on aluminium while the big boys are based on UPVC, plus he's including an odd-shaped porthole window that Everest & Anglian didn't.

The independent is offering a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee.
This small company has no website, no email address and is not a member of GGF or FENSA. But the rep (owner? not sure) is knowledgeable and direct.

The question for me is whether Everest's price genuinely reflects their value (product and customer service). I know (as a previous poster mentioned) that Everest's spacer is 20 mm while Anglian's is 16 mm, and the Everest windows are A+10 while Anglian's are A+2.
Whether this really makes a practical difference?

The independent says his [aluminium] windows are A-rated. When I pressed on this, he acknowledged that it was the glass that is A-rated. I'm sure the real rating should apply to the window as a whole, to take into account not just solar factor but also thermal transmittance and air leakage.

The independent insists that his windows are every bit as good as Anglian's and Everests, and aluminium is actually better than UPVC because it's less reactive and more durable.

I know this is a long outpouring but it's a big amount of money involved and I want to make the right decision.

Would welcome any thoughts anyone has!! Thanks.