Double Glazing.

greenface

There are good and bad everywhere . have a look for long established local companies and recommendations from friends and families around your area . Think of a local builder/ joiner that's self employed you may need them for other things now your back in the country . Good luck . P.S The OP did contact me not visa versa. (not that I haven't in the past) ha

50Twuncle

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.

-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.

We had our windows replaced 2 years ago
Quotes varied between almost £20,000 (Everest) - reduced by over £8000 when queried to £5,500 from a local fitter
Guess which we chose ?
Quality is fine and came with a 10 year insurance backed warranty !!

slinga

Had all my quotes now.
Going local.

Talked to another local customer who had just finished having windows installed by the company which was lowest and the customer gave me confidence with his answers.

Everest were fine except the price after all discounts etc was more than twice.
I liked the guarantees etc from Everest but in the end the price was just silly, imo.

greenface

Everest do good guarantees , try getting them out when there is a problem . Firms that have had many years trading do give you confidence when choosing but like St Helens Glass/ Thameside Windows / Wholesale Windows / Staybright you have to ensure you look after your customers (watch this space for safestyle )

slinga

The DG is being installed this week.
All going well although I'm not too over the hill by the cleanliness, but iah it's no worse than I expected even taking into account what was said during the quote.

I'm just wondering about the payment situation.
I paid 10% on contract signature.

What about on completion.
I've been asked to pay the outstanding amount to the installer on completion.

But I was wondering if I should retain say 5% or 10% for a month to see how things go.
Is that normal practice????

I won't do it of course if it's not the usual thing.

Thanks.

bouicca21

I've installed double glazing in two different houses. First time used a national. They were crap. Took ages to get the installation sorted out and to stop rain getting in.

Second time used a reputable local company. Excellent - and literally half the price that Everest quoted.

As already indicated don't get a loan from the installers and don't pay I full up front - they will have no incentive to put anything right. Knock on the doors of places where they have worked.

And not cheapskate - try to get your double glazing to mimic the original windows. The architect/builder who constructed your house spent a lot of time thinking about what those windows looked like in relation to the overall design of the house. You need to have thought this all out before talking to a salesman.

missprice

slinga wrote: »

The DG is being installed this week.
All going well although I'm not too over the hill by the cleanliness, but iah it's no worse than I expected even taking into account what was said during the quote.

I'm just wondering about the payment situation.
I paid 10% on contract signature.

What about on completion.
I've been asked to pay the outstanding amount to the installer on completion.

But I was wondering if I should retain say 5% or 10% for a month to see how things go.
Is that normal practice????

I won't do it of course if it's not the usual thing.

Thanks.

No just pay the full outstanding amount.
Do you have all the details from the company that's fitting windows? If yes you can always call them out. Oh and ask for spare keys for window locks. Get plenty of spares, they do break, go missing over time. I am down to 3 spare keys for 5 windows.

greenface

As above- 10% is low and so long as your satisfied with the job pay in full to the fitters on completion . Normal and without knowing the mess during fitting if all is good once frames are done a "drink" would be a nice gesture to the fitters . Have a decent nose around and look for any gaps or missing cill ends etc .make sure they've sealed under the frames (esp doors) Also if your happy with the job a letter to the office will help their sales and fitters and people like yourself in the future .

Cully25

Hi
I'm also after a bit of advice on replacement double glazing. I've been given a quote of £1468 from a local company to replace original crittal windows with UPVC. They say they don't use scaffolding and seal from the inside..is this a good way to do it? Any down sides to this? This price is also for 4 windows - 2 large (with 3 panels) and 2 small windows for kitchen and bathroom - is this a good price?


Any advice on this greatly appreciated! They said they have done a couple of the other flats in this block too so I'm inclined to try and speak to them, but from first glance they look okay...

captainhindsight_2

slinga wrote: »

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

WOW, small local companies are pretty much always more reliable as they can be held accountable for mistakes its much easier than big local companies and have a reputation to keep.

Also if you or anybody else is upgrading from very old windows and doors remember to claim the up £1600 cashback of the government