Double Glazing

minimoocow

Hello all,

Want to get some double glazing installed but thought I'd ask a couple of questions before I go to get quotes:

1. For anyone who has had new windows installed - how much mess will there be? Will I need to redecorate all rooms? I also have pebble dash and don't really want to get it all redone as it's extra expense - anyone any ideas on whether this will be ok? The windows are set a few inches into the walls if that makes any difference.

2. Any ideas on how to get the best deal? I have no idea how much I am looking at and don't want to be fooled by the sales patter. Obviously I'll get several quotes. I only want to get 3 windows and a door and not planning on living there for ever so want something to look good and be ok for selling in a couple of years but not top of the range.

Thanks for any responses

MMC

Little_Mama

Hi Minimoocow

I had some windows fitted a couple of years ago into a fully decorated kitchen and I had very little mess, just a little touching up at the edges but I mean very little.

My walls are pebbledashed but my windows fit flush to the outside wall, again, once they'd done the finishing sealant, you wouldn't have known they'd just been put in......except they were cleaner than all my other windows!

As I only wanted a small job done (1 window and 1 door + window) I went for a local chap who works for himself and got a great job done for a very reasonable price. In your position I'd find out from friends some recommendations for local chaps, I always feel the big companies can survive bad press whereas the local chaps have to do a great all round job otherwise no more work.

Good luck!

LM

Doozergirl

I agree on using small, local companies. We have a great guy that does our windows and we always recommend him to friends who have been equally impressed. He doesn't even have a shop window

Talks straight, offers a good, sensible price and he won't offer you extortionate loan deals

HappyG1rl

Try and make sure that you get someone Fensa registered if you can as you will know that they comply with building regs.

Russ66

I second using a local builder / fitter. Ask around, word of mouth or a recommendation is the way to go.:j

The national / TV companies salesmen will have your pants down without you even realising.:mad:

alanobrien

Just had all ours done some 13 windows, 2 patio door sets and a couple of entrance doors plus other bits. The local company that did it left no mess at all and the finish quality was excellent meaning i do not need to redecorate anytime soon. To get the best deal get several quotes and focus on local companies, preferably referred by friends and make sure you compare like with like.
If you are going to move also make sure they offer the 10 year insurance backed GGF guarantee, it cost me £40 for the above and will be a good selling point when you move.

minimoocow

Thanks to you all. Was going to use a bigger firm as I thought they'd be more come back if there were any problems but the consensus seems to be go local so will ask about and get some recommendations.

I don't like the sound of this!!!

Russ66 wrote: »

The national / TV companies salesmen will have your pants down without you even realising.:mad:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

pinkzebra

We had our windows fitted by a national company. We had loads of quotes from local and national companies. We haggled all of them down to below 50% of what they quoted us. We still ended up paying £7K for 7 windows and a set of french doors.
Everest quoted us £17K! :eek:



We are happy with our windows but I would personally try a local builder. Looking back it would have been a lot cheaper to buy the windows from elsewhere and get a builder to fit them.

WaveyDave_2

as someone else alluded to earlier, if you use a local chappie, you need to make sure he is FENSA registered, as he will give you a certificate. If he's not FENSA, you will need to notify building control of the installation and have them inspect/issue a cert post installation. If you don't, and you plan on selling your house sometime in the future, it will be picked up by solicitors. You will pay BC a fee on a sliding scale based on estimated cost.

scrimpingbadger

Yeah - we got one of our mates round to fit our double glazing (it's his job) and now we're sellling up so have had to buy an indemnity policy to cover the breach in building regs. Not a real hassle - just extra expense of around £30-40.