New Windows in Tenement Flat

akira181

I'm looking to get some very old windows replaced and I'm wondering what I should be looking out for. I stay in the Southside of Glasgow and saw a 2 vans in the area replacing windows, so I called them for quotes. One is just shy of 7k, the other just shy of 10k. 9 windows on the 3rd floor and approximately 1m x 2.3m each in size.

The first guy said he "doesn't do the hard sell" and proceeded to talk my ear off for an hour on how double tilt and turns would be best for me, he only uses VEKA, which are the best, he does a lot of work in the area, and so on. Also sent me the quote on messenger, email, called (couldn't answer, I was at work) and put it through my door yesterday morning. Don't know if he's just very organised or desperate for work. He doesn't have many reviews but is active on posting work he's done in the area. No idea if it's actually recent work or just rinse and repeat though.

Second guy seemed overly casual, he kept asking if there was anything about the process I wanted to know, like he was wanting me to question him. Then came the salesman patter of Rehau are the best frames, he'll pair it with the best glazing, he uses them in his own house, he'll give me windows with a U-value of 1.0 for the price of the standard 1.4, told me to check the reviews of his company, 200+ 5* reviews, which? trader trusted, etc. He also asked if anyone else had been to quote and I told him straight up yes, and was cheaper. He asked what company and then proceeded to badmouth the owner by name, saying he folded his first company and started the current one to get out of warranty claims, complaints of racism and shoddy work, VEKA are office windows, not residential, even if I don't get windows with him (the second guy), don't go with that guy, etc. Apart from the quote being more than 40% higher than the first, that also put me off a little.

After some searching, neither are FENSA registered.

The first guy has BSI Approved Contractor, Constructionline, and VEKA Approved installer on his paperwork but I cannot find any record with the certifying bodies.

The second guy is a which trusted trader but I don't believe holds any sort of value.

What sort of price should I be looking for and are any of these Competent Person Schemes actually worth their weight?

oldernonethewiser

I have seen this company recommended on another Glasgow forum.

No experience of them myself.

https://www.windowadvicecentre.co.uk/

akira181

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Also found a fensta approved and a veka authorised installer. Gonna get quotes from them too and see what they say. Both of them are older companies with good reviews so hopefully they'll be trustworthy

akira181

oldernonethewiser said:

I have seen this company recommended on another Glasgow forum.

No experience of them myself.

https://www.windowadvicecentre.co.uk/

I called them today and basically the guy told me that scaffolding is a must, if someone gets hurt I share the responsibility of the actions of my contractor (don't know how this can be true considering the average joe isn't versed in the legalities of building regs), so scaffolding is unavoidable, and so on. I asked about fall protection and a suitable anchor point, he said it's possible but the contractor must be trained, so scaffolding is a must (not that he doesn't have suitably trained contractors).

He then went on to try and sell me secondary glazing that I didn't ask for and claimed it to be 4 times better than double glazing, I'd make my money back on energy savings, it adds to the house value cause it shows energy efficiency, etc.

Reeks of utter BS.

sam_280729

Hi, 

Did you manage to find a good installer? 
If so, can you pls. provide the details? 

MysteryMe

sam_280729 said:

Hi, 

Did you manage to find a good installer? 
If so, can you pls. provide the details? 

If you don't have a recommendation from family / friends / work colleagues who have had work done I would recommend using a properly vetted trader finder website such as Which or a scheme your local Trading Standards may operate. Also pay using a credit card to give you protection under Sec 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. You don't need to pay the full amount by credit card. Being FENSA registered is not the be all and end all, you can get the work signed off by Building Control with a regularisation certificate so you will have a bit of paper confirming the work is compliant

akira181

sam_280729 said:

Hi, 

Did you manage to find a good installer? 
If so, can you pls. provide the details? 

I narrowed it down to Westfarm Windows and Creative Glazing in the end. 

Their prices were relatively similar (circa £6k), didn't badmouth the competition like some others, had been trading for a long time as per Companies House, and seemed like pretty genuine people with no hard sell. I went with Creative as they lived closer to me and had quicker availability.

I have no real complaints other than their attention to detail could be slightly better. They delivered the wrong windows at first (window handles too high), which they fully admitted when I pointed it out and swapped the next day with no complaints.

I also had to point out a few minor details, like a very squint trim cut, missing screws on a window latch, and a window or two needing adjusted, and they were happy to correct any issues. They've been out twice since the initial install to adjust the windows that had settled and were catching the frame slightly.

A couple things you could nitpick if you were so inclined, like the silicon seal not being perfectly smooth in some places but for the price, I'm more than happy. No guarantees the £7k-15k+ quotes I was getting would have done any better anyway. High price doesn't guarantee high quality anymore.

MysteryMe said:

If you don't have a recommendation from family / friends / work colleagues who have had work done I would recommend using a properly vetted trader finder website such as Which or a scheme your local Trading Standards may operate. Also pay using a credit card to give you protection under Sec 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. You don't need to pay the full amount by credit card. Being FENSA registered is not the be all and end all, you can get the work signed off by Building Control with a regularisation certificate so you will have a bit of paper confirming the work is compliant

I'd take Which Trusted Trader and Check-a-Trade schemes with a pinch of salt, any checks they do are very basic and I've never personally heard of anyone getting compensated by those schemes if things go bad. Best to  get recommendations from friends/family like you said and also do your own research.

What I found is that FENSA really isn't a thing in Scotland and I also never bothered with Building Control as my windows aren't complaint anyway. I requested no trickle vents as my windows get battered by the wind and I didn't want the noise/wind whistle. 

I've had quite a few friends sell their flats and buy new ones in the last couple years and only one time was window paperwork needed (an invoice to prove they were still under warranty) so I don't think any certificate/paperwork is really necessary.