Double Glazing.

slinga

We are overseas during the winter and never had Double Glazing, but I'm now considering it just for security purposes.

I want 3 quotes from Everest, Anglian and a local company.

-How long approx between asking for a quote and the completed installation.

-Do the National companies use their own installers or do they sub contract to 'cowboys'?

-Are all the company's products much of a muchness or is one vastly superior?

-Do they still give you the 'let me call my manager I'm sure he'll be able to reduce this quote' routine?

-Anything special to beware of?

-Anything in particular to be concerned about?

Thanks.

missprice

slinga wrote: »

We are overseas during the winter and never had Double Glazing, but I'm now considering it just for security purposes.

I want 3 quotes from Everest, Anglian and a local company.

-How long approx between asking for a quote and the completed installation.
Can tell you mine was 4 weeks from quote to done but that was at a quiet time if year ( December)

-Do the National companies use their own installers or do they sub contract to 'cowboys'?
All different can't know til you ask them.
-Are all the company's products much of a muchness or is one vastly superior?
Many are vastly superior, but you will get what you pay for. I have aku clad wood frames mega expensive compared to UPC.

-Do they still give you the 'let me call my manager I'm sure he'll be able to reduce this quote' routine?
The big companies do. Safe style etc. Smaller ones don't have time to beat around and just give you a price.
-Anything special to beware of?
Don't use the big company loans. Try to pay for it all in one go.
Don't pay whole cost upfront, check they are fitted correctly before you pay remainder. Removing old windows will probably damage the plaster and that will need repairing. Either day, get someone in or have the cost added to window company.
-Anything in particular to be concerned about?

Thanks.

Need to add more words

slinga

Thanks for that.

Wasn't thinking about holding a retainer so that's very useful.

And the make good around the windows, inside and out I suppose.

I understood there was an H&S thing about not being able to use ladders these days.
Does that apply to Double Glazing and if so how do they get around that?

missprice

slinga wrote: »

Thanks for that.

Wasn't thinking about holding a retainer so that's very useful.

And the make good around the windows, inside and out I suppose.

I understood there was an H&S thing about not being able to use ladders these days.
Does that apply to Double Glazing and if so how do they get around that?

Different companies have different amounts to pay upfront. See what they say.
The make good the plaster inside at extra cost usually, sometimes that's in the price, sometimes they don't do that, if you recently decorated with wallpaper do you have spare to match, or paint if you painted it? If its not much you can do it yourself.

No idea about ladders cos mine were fitted from the inside so minimum ladder work needed.

greenface

Ladders can still be used for window installations although its getting sticky ground in some boroughs. (silly imho) most companys will give you a price from start to finish inc all work that might be needed (i do)if we do it for less we make more etc etc ect . Why go for 2 national & one local ? up to you.. they might give you guidance . Why not 3 recommended local companys . could give you better info .

slinga

missprice wrote: »

No idea about ladders cos mine were fitted from the inside so minimum ladder work needed.

So how is it possible to check the window fit outside??

And how much care is taken on cleaning up after themselves and not getting carpets etc muddy??

How are the existing windows taken out?
Just with a big sledge hammer or do they try to do it carefully?

Oh and to answer greenface I was going to go for two national and one local company to give an idea of price difference.

I also thought local companies might be more of the cowboy variety.

Interested to hear more from you on this.
Do the big national companies overcharge or is the pricing similar???

missprice

slinga wrote: »

So how is it possible to check the window fit outside??

And how much care is taken on cleaning up after themselves and not getting carpets etc muddy??

How are the existing windows taken out?
Just with a big sledge hammer or do they try to do it carefully?

Oh and to answer greenface I was going to go for two national and one local company to give an idea of price difference.

I also thought local companies might be more of the cowboy variety.

Interested to hear more from you on this.
Do the big national companies overcharge or is the pricing similar???

Can only comment on the 2 window companies that did mine.
They had massive sheets to put down to catch any mess.
They tried to be very careful taking out old windows, considering the state old windows were in they did a magnificent job of that. There were however metal straps holding the old windows in and large chunks of plaster came out with the straps. Neither company did replastering, but I did not mind. Other people may mind.
They used ladder minimally, so fitted new windows from inside, the went outside to erm silicon? Round the edges and I assume make sure fitted OK.

Had my windows done in 2 stages hence 2 different companies.
OH can do plastering, well little bits not whole rooms hence me not caring that window companies not plaster.

Safestyle and another big co quoted me around 15 k and in the end my expensive alu clad wood frames and upvc windows together cost about 3.3k
Never followed up with the big ones so no idea what they may have come down to.
Total of 8 windows, 2 really large, others reasonable size and one of the 2 in bathroom was left fixed (un openable) that's the smallest window of all.

toffifee

Using Checkatrade or Which Local might help you to avoid the cowboys. I've used people I found on one or both of these several times and never had a bad experience. I haven't used it for new windows though - it's on my wish list. In Which, the local firms usually get a better write-up than the nationals for most things, not just windows.

greenface

I am mainly inside taking out windows carefully if its strapped i would have got them out with minimum mess (maybe one window broke plaster through to get length and position) builders that strap into new build have no thought for replacement. Dust sheets down & if i dont go out i dont get muddy feet. frame in fixed & glazed all inside mostly . Go out to clean & seal .Because they are big companys please dont think theyre not cowboys . I like long established local companys for any trade . recommendations the best . Checkatrader etc are usefull but im not a fan for pay to join websites.seems biased .

greenface

slinga wrote: »

So how is it possible to check the window fit outside??

And how much care is taken on cleaning up after themselves and not getting carpets etc muddy??

How are the existing windows taken out?
Just with a big sledge hammer or do they try to do it carefully?

Oh and to answer greenface I was going to go for two national and one local company to give an idea of price difference.

I also thought local companies might be more of the cowboy variety.

Interested to hear more from you on this.
Do the big national companies overcharge or is the pricing similar???

Every one is different in their way they work . some are tidyer than others the less mess and damage taking it out the easier it is to fit & fix , dont even own a sledge hammer. National companies normally start off higher and drop to silly % from original in my mind treating its customers like fools . My best sales pitch is "Im not a sales man its going to cost ££ & heres what i do"

slinga

I see there is another thread on DG, but this one is not so confrontational and has given me some good info.

We are back from overseas now and I've taken the dimensions of the windows and doors I require and put them in the doubleglazingontheweb site and got a price of just below £6k for supply and install.

greenface did say he'd offer to help me with a quote, thanks to him for that, but I feel that the online price is a good starting point.

Tried to arrange a quote from a national company but they didn't sound right to me so scratched them.
I've got a local company phoning me to arrange a quote tomorrow and another national company turning up later this week.

Some of the reviews on the internet for DG companies really make me want not to go ahead with this.
The recommendations I have from neighbours for local companies aren't too hot either.

Oh well, it has to be done I suppose.
It's not the money but just wanting a good job without the hassle.

Anyone got good recommendations for the Mid Glamorgan area???