Window upgrades with a government subsidy?

RACHEL_2017

My mother (and a neighbour) have been approached by a company called Clean Green Upgrades offering to 'upgrade' her double glazing by changing the glass to new Pilkington glass. They say it would cost around £7,000 but that the government will pay half of it and will do so for 6 houses in each post-code. It seems good, but I am not totally convinced that it is not a scam. I can find no reference to this government scheme anywhere. Does anyone know anything about it?

EssexExile

If they are just changing the glazed units you could probably do the whole road for £7,000.

Doozergirl

Rubbish. The windows should probably cost half of what they say, hence the discount.

You only need to google their company name to find reviews. Cold calling, targetting the elderly.

If you want windows, look for a local independent supplier.

FreeBear

RACHEL_2017 wrote: »

My mother (and a neighbour) have been approached by a company called Clean Green Upgrades offering to 'upgrade' her double glazing by changing the glass to new Pilkington glass. They say it would cost around £7,000 but that the government will pay half of it and will do so for 6 houses in each post-code. It seems good, but I am not totally convinced that it is not a scam. I can find no reference to this government scheme anywhere. Does anyone know anything about it?

Hrmmm....

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07681696 - CLEAN GREEN SAPPHIRE UPGRADES LTD currently being liquidated...
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09064805 - CLEAN GREEN UPGRADES LTD dissolved August 2017
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05804506/officers - ENERGY UPGRADE INVESTMENTS LTD Currently trading and the outfit behind the Clean Green Upgrades web site.

What do these companies all have in common - The same registered address, and two directors.

There is no government money subsidising replacement windows or upgrades - Any outfit that tells you that there is, is quite simply lying.

It is a scam to rip off gullible and/or vulnerable people.

Oh, and the web site makes a wonderfully bogus claim - an approximate annual saving of £500 on energy bills. Bovine turds.

Crabman

Call the local police on 101 with the location of this incident and a description of the suspects - in my area the police are very keen to follow up these scams.

ashe

We had a replacement window pane put in for our double glazing last year and paid £150. we were told it was expensive for one window due to all the work required just for one, but additional windows would bring price down further on a 'per window' basis, but we only needed the one. £7,000 my eye.

road2manchester

SCRAPAGE SCHEMES FOR WINDOWS ARE A BOGUS SALES CONCEPTS
Add 70% to the price of the job to offer 45% discount for your old windows....... easy. Get a quote form other companies and if they mention this scheme.... walk away.

melb

we are looking to replace about 15 windows in an old house with some very large windows.

Would love to replace with wood but can't afford it.

All windows are single-glazed and we are looking forward to having double-glazing to save some money on heating.

On all the posts regarding windows, people say use a local independent rather than a big company. However, how do you know if they are any good if you have no personal recommendations to go on and can't find any reviews online?

We've had a couple of companies out who were within a couple of £1,000 of each other in their quotes but who knows what the quality of work will be like.

The other thing is both my OH and I don't like the "stuck-on" look of UPVC - are there better grades and styles as we are prepared to pay more for this. Have tried to look on internet but nothing much comes up.

millie

I recently had all my front glass replaced with Pilkington Glass. I had leaded ones before that I did not like. Admittedly we have used the same window fitter for years as he does the job in his spare time as he is employed elsewhere but I paid £700 and that was for 2 large bay windows and a normal flat window. There were 17 glazed panels and he must be making at least some profit. It took him a day to do it.