Window dilemma

pineapple

A couple of years back the main house windows were replaced with wood effect UPVC by a big regional Fensa registered firm.
Now I am doing up the 'bathroom' - which is basically a ground floor extension to the side of the house and have been quoted £590 by the same firm for replacement of the two small windows in the same UPVC including certification..
The existing ones are wood and basically sound - though a bit of repair is needed to one plus they are single glazed and draughty and the handles and fittings are worn.
A small local joiner who was recommended to me (but who is not Fensa registered) has quoted £636 for UPVC windows as above or £836 in wood.
Going ahead with the big firm should be a no brainer - except the smaller guy was more reassuring about minimising the amount of UPVC on show (important imo where the glass area is small). Plus he said he could do it without damaging the tiles which butt onto the existing window frame whereas the big firm was not so sure.
I'm into a world of expense and upheaval if the tiles have to be replaced because it would involve re-tiling the floor and the wall.
But if I go with the little guy, I would have to get my windows signed off for building regs. Not really bothered for me but when I come to sell, I'll be expected to produce something. Either that or fork out for an indemnity insurance. He has suggested that when selling, I neglect to mention that the bathroom windows are not part of the Fensa certification. Not convinced by that one!
I suppose as a 3rd option I could paint and repair the windows as they are now, stick on some draught seal and make do.
What would YOU do?

rob7475

Personally, I wouldn't worry about FENSA. Go with whoever you think will do a better job and worry about certification later if/when you sell.

When we bought our last house, one of the windows had been replaced with no FENSA cert. Our solicitor told us and asked us how we wanted to proceed. We just carried on without it as I'm sure most people will.

ST1991

If you were happy with the work from the large firm previously, and they are cheaper - then i would go with them.

Although the other chap has told you he will minimize damage and UPVC on show - is this not something that the larger firm would do anyway and they perhaps don't need to be so reassuring if you were happy with the job they did last time?
If it's a tight fit I guess they could always cut off the edges of the tile, and you could finish them off with tile edging.

Furts

Ask the little guy to shave his price on the windows. But if he is non co-operative you are far better going with him than the cowboys who work for the national companies. Their quote is cheaper for a reason - in all probability sub contracting the fitting to the cheapest, roughest, fitters they can find. Certainly do not expect good fitting - such companies could not care less when the order is just two small windows.

In addition Building Regulations inspection is far superior to FENSA. One glaring advantage is somebody will come and inspect the standard of fitting. You do not get this with FENSA - you simply get a piece of paper in lieu of a physical inspection. This is an absolutely nonsense system, yet consumers seem happy to accept this every day of the week!

EssexExile

Furts wrote: »

...you are far better going with him than the cowboys who work for the national companies.

I see no mention of national companies. When we had new windows last year (long established local company) some tiles came off so they put them back. It looks fine.
Reassurances from the little guy that he will do less damage are great until he does some damage!

Doozergirl

EssexExile wrote: »

I see no mention of national companies. When we had new windows last year (long established local company) some tiles came off so they put them back. It looks fine.
Reassurances from the little guy that he will do less damage are great until he does some damage!

My thoughts exactly! The ones who can't guarantee not making any damage are almost certainly being truthful. Their thoughts are probably more geared to getting the window in properly, than having a window that is a tiny bit too small for the opening to avoid damaging tiles.

Private_Church

Doozergirl wrote: »

My thoughts exactly! The ones who can't guarantee not making any damage are almost certainly being truthful. Their thoughts are probably more geared to getting the window in properly, than having a window that is a tiny bit too small for the opening to avoid damaging tiles.

Without photo's I'm not sure I would agree with that when you consider there are people who take care when ripping out existing frames and others who are just butchers and speed/profit is the number 1 priority.

pineapple

Yes the first company is not a national company (and I've yet to see a TV ad ). Rather they are big in the region but I doubt they do much (if any) work outside the county. They have a good reputation. I've had quite a few contractors through this old cottage and find they are a bit like hairdressers - as in 'Who did THIS job'? as they shake their heads and frown. This is the one bit of renovation where everyone says 'Good work'. Oh dear, I think I am answering my own question...
I do agree about Fensa. But the buyer's solicitor for my last house sale was obsessional about bits of paper especially Fensa! In fact I swore to myself at the time that on the next sale, I wouldn't admit to having had anything done at all Cheers folks