I want double glazing, but not the sales pitch

silk_2

I definitely want to get new double glazing, and new doors, throughout my house.

What I don't want is a 60-90 minute long sales pitch. I'm capable of doing my own research and price comparisons, after all.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on the best way for me to get some quick and simple quotes for the work?

Ebe_Scrooge

Depends where abouts in the country you are, but a good first port of call is local independent glazing companies if you have any near you. As always, nothing beats a personal recommendation - ask friends and neighbours if they know of any good local firms, ask on a local community Facebook page if you have one.

Of course, just because a company is local and independent doesn't guarantee they'll be any good, but very generally speaking a rubbish "small" company would go out of business quite soon - they don't have a large national network to hide behind. But this is where recommendations from previous customers can help.

paddy's_mum

Locate a couple of local tradesmen and ask who they have themselves used to install d/g or new doors in their own homes.

All kinds of trades take part in the construction of properties on the different building sites in your area and they are usually quick to spot who is the cowboy and who does a respectable job.

At the time I was looking for some d/g, I noticed that all three of the tradesmen who lived in my street had chosen the same small firm. Four houses on and still using the same guy, I've never had a reason to regret respecting their opinion.

Ant555

I would definitely seek recommendations from neighbours if at all possible.

We recently had new double glazing fitted and got two quotes including one from a very small local firm that we had never heard of before but came highly recommended by the people opposite and friends that had a conservatory fitted by them. They don't advertise and he told me they get all of their work by word of mouth/referrals.

I really liked the fact that they gave me a price per window - he said each price quoted was his best price and if we wanted a couple one month, a couple the next month then the rest in 6 months etc then he was absolutely fine with that and would honour the price for 12 months.

PS - if you are in South Manchester then I am happy to recommend their services as a customer.

benjus

I know exactly what you mean - you just want a quote that you can decide about in your own time, none of this "I can give you a 50% discount if you accept right now" rubbish.

I'd suggest looking for an established local glass company - the kind of company that deals in all types of glass.

paddyrg

Maybe you can find a manufacturer like http://www.crwindows.co.uk/ who make their own panels and can supply or suggest a fitter.

JP08

Definitely less likely to get the hard sell with the local firm.

We first had SafeStyle round for a quote - 4 hours he was here ! The only high point was that he was scared of the dog - who really wanted to be friends with him. Lots of nervous "Hello Jack" followed by edging away and not wanting to get white retriever hairs on his suit.

The local firm guy came round, measured three windows and the front door before he even knocked on it, found out what we wanted in detail, measured the rest, wrote out the firm quote on the spot, and was gone in 40 mins flat. And they were cheaper than the SS quote - despite including the fascia replacement (which SS don't do).

PS forget the SafeStyle BOGOF deals, only applies to their basic utter crap windows ...

27col

I can't believe that you have even asked the question.
You simply go to a couple of local companies and they will give you a quote based on your requirements. It's not rocket science. They don't have any reason to give you the hard sell. Usually they are very small firms who rely mostly on word of mouth for their work. They certainly don't have any high pressure salesmen working for them.

bergy2

paddyrg wrote: »

Maybe you can find a manufacturer like http://www.crwindows.co.uk/ who make their own panels and can supply or suggest a fitter.

Have you used these? Live in Bristol and thinking of this


Thanks

Kiran

For pricing purposes you can measure up all your windows and email them out to as many companies as you want. Put as much detail on as your can provide, this does 2 things, firstly the more detail the more accurate the estimate. Secondly if you invite them to come round it should show them that you know what you're talking about. The second point is more a hope as I did have some clown from a company called RightStyle who I had to explain to that my bay window couldn't possibly be 9 windows and that just because her catalogue only had 5 section bow windows it didn't mean that was the largest they could manufacture. I think the highlight for me was when she did her flip chart presentation and my 11month old son was paying huge amounts of attention and then turning to me with a look of "Dad, what on earth is this crazy woman talking about"

Babbawah

silk wrote: »

I definitely want to get new double glazing, and new doors, throughout my house.

What I don't want is a 60-90 minute long sales pitch. I'm capable of doing my own research and price comparisons, after all.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on the best way for me to get some quick and simple quotes for the work?

The only answer really is to not be a punter.

Somewhere within a 5mile radius of your home is a small outfit knocking out uPVC products for a fraction of the price of the glossy brochure brigade.

Your problem is that they don't want the hassle that comes with dealing with punters. They want someone to give them a spec' and the measurements, they don't want you ummming and ahhh'ing whilst you pretend to have a clue what you're on about.

It isn't rocket science. The uPVC industry itself is littered with illiterate, semi-dead monkees who get along just fine.

If you want to spend £1000+ per window then that's your choice.

If you want to spend £150ish per window then engage the brain that enables you to walk upright and breathe thru a closed mouth.

The least I pay for a window is £110, this seems to be my suppliers minimum. I've recently replaced a large window and access door combination on a garage for less than £450.

I shudder to think what a punter would pay the likes of "CleanGreen Systems 2000 Windows 2013 Ltd" !