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Double glazing firms?

Options
Small, local and handy - but don't manufacture - or the big boys that manufacture and sell?

Any thoughts anyone? Pros and Cons?

Comments

  • Yorkie1
    Yorkie1 Posts: 12,014 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I used a small local company which buys in its Rehau profile windows.

    Good service, reasonable price, and local so I could see examples of their work. A local company which gets a bad reputation won't last long so it's in their interests to do a good job.
  • 27col
    27col Posts: 6,554 Forumite
    Against my better judgement I recently had a door and some windows installed by Everest. They did a fantastic job and there was absolutely no way to fault either the work or the general standard of service. I have never had a job done that was so trouble free.
    I am writing as one who, in the past has always advocated the use of local suppliers and only went to Everest at my OH's prodding. I did break my own rule about getting extra quotes so I don't know how much the job would have cost from a local supplier. My apologies to local companies who were not asked to quote.
    I can afford anything that I want.
    Just so long as I don't want much.
  • murphydog999
    murphydog999 Posts: 1,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    27col wrote: »
    Against my better judgement I recently had a door and some windows installed by Everest. They did a fantastic job and there was absolutely no way to fault either the work or the general standard of service. I have never had a job done that was so trouble free.
    I am writing as one who, in the past has always advocated the use of local suppliers and only went to Everest at my OH's prodding.

    Yes, this is my predicament. In a different house we had Everest quote for a conservatory, and they were £6k above everyone else. The local guys had exactly the same profiles, so we went with them. That has tarnished the 'big-boys' business since.

    We used a local firm the previous owners had used before, to continue the uniformity in the house I am in now, but I am considering a house that needs ALL windows and doors replacing.

    I always try to consider local business first, but with such a project, I'm wondering if a better deal could be had from the manufacturer themselves - hence my question.

    With all the renovators on here I thought this might have had a bit more input.
  • sashman
    sashman Posts: 318 Forumite
    100 Posts
    All depends on what you are looking for.

    Big nationals make good products (thousands of them) but service can let them down, and factories want standard not special work. Providing you want standard stuff, the products should be good.

    Some locals will make but they don’t make in the same volumes and although there are good ones the quality of the product may not be as good as the nationals, that said they are local, you know where they are , sometimes where they live and they won’t want to jeopardize their reputation.

    There are networks, large specialist manufacturers that make good products who sell to local companies, so you get the best of both

    try http://www.doubleglazingcompanies.com/knowledge/company-types/?1 it explains the differences

    sashman
    Buying quality goods which last, should be an investment that saves money. :T
    Buying cheap products which fail, wastes money and costs twice as much in the long run. :mad:



  • murphydog999
    murphydog999 Posts: 1,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    sashman wrote: »

    Thats very useful thx
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