Replacement windows & doors

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
Posts
16,722
Just had a quote for replacement windows & doors and was wondering if anyone in the know could tell me how competitive the figure is as I've really no idea and don't really want a million companies coming round asking for quotes as I'll never get rid of them again.

It's eight windows in total, five of them are average size with one opening, two a bit larger with dual openings and one small toilet window. Three of them will have frosted/obscured glass and three will have toughened. Also front and rear uPVC doors, the front one with a fixed panel to the side.

Total quote for this is about £4k.

Good/bad/horrendous?
 
The price includes all fitting & labour as well as the units themselves but you're right, it'd be interesting to work out how much the units alone would cost to buy myself.
 
That doesn't look too bad. I got a quote for replacing 7 windows (front of the house only) and was quoted £9,000.
 
Shifter_Hull said:
the quote is ok but why not pop down to b&q and check on prices there
there not very hard to do
you may end up saving a few hundred or more
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Just a note on this under new building regs it is now a requirment that windows are fitted by a suitable person FENSA is the body concerend with this and you should get a certificate etc. Failure to obtain the right papaerwork may cause you a pita when you come to sell.

On the subject of the quote it seems reasonable, be aware not all plastic windows (assuming thats what your getting) are equal they are made of different quality materials cheap ones have an annoying habit of going yellow after a couple of years also cheap doors can be a right royal pita. Also remeber the windows will only ever be as good as the man who fits them and I have witnessed some truly appaling work from window companies. Try and get recomendations from a friend or colleague if you can't do that ask for refferences and do a drive by on some of there previous work.

Finally remeber windows can make or break the exterior of any property when getting replacments make sure they are in keeping with what would have origionally been in the property, ie they are the same colour and have the glazing bars and openings in the same places.
 
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I can appreciate that you dont want loads coming round, but it really is worth getting one more company in. We played them against each other for our kitchen window and they might modify the price with

"I really like you and the service you offer but blogs is £ 500 cheaper, can you meet me half way"
It worked for Mrs Snail and me.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. The quote is from a builder who's been personally recommended and whose work we a pretty confident in. The certificate business has all been discussed and is not an issue, although reassuring that the builder was aware of this and discussed it with us fully.

The main reason I'm erring towards the builder route rather than the large window companies is firstly the personal recommendation and secondly, there may be some cosmetic building work that needs doing (brickwork, plaster etc) around some of the windows and I'm wary of what a window company would make of this - either leave it completely or sub-contract to a totally unknown building company to do the work.
 
Also check that the windows have steel casings inside them.

Quite a few suppliers sell really good priced PVC windows but without the steel inside. Important to stop warping leaks cracks etc after a couple of years weather.

Glass counts too what insulation rating of glass you getting in them 1.3 KW or less?
 
Vertigo1 said:
snip...
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Got to say you seem to have everything spot on, recomended builder that wants to do things properly you really can't go wrong. We had some work done in our kitchen (knocking out a wall and a chimney) and you wouldn't believe the number of so called respectable builders who wanted to do it without getting a building regs certificate!

going with a builder is definately a good idea and getting him to make good the internals with bricks and plaster is worthwhile. Too many big windows companies rely on expanding foam big plastic sheets and decorators caulk to cover up there shoddy workman ship!
 
We had our done about 18 months ago, paid £6300 for (mentally works his way around house):

2 large curved bays each with two large + two small openers
2 bedrooms with two large + two small openers
2 bathroom windows - both obscured with openers
1 door (rear)
1 tiny opener under stairs

Our porch + patio had already been done and we had to get a specialist in to sort out some stained glass in the hallway.

I'd say your quote sounds good. Having it done by someone you trust is the most important thing - we used the same company on our last house and on my parents and they've always been fantastic. No hard sell - just measure up, write down a price and leave, perfect. Have to say that they also did all the making good as well (inc replastering any damaged section internally and re-pointing disturbed brickwork externally).
 
Never go with the first few prices they quote.. My sister had them last year and im looking at getting mine replaced within the next month or so.

From a local well respected company for the following:-

6 Windows
1 Patio Door

First quote was £5k, after some talking to the sales rep final price, inc installation was £2500!! now thats some drop.
j
 
Don't go for Everest whatever you do. They seriously rip you off on the price!

Mrs CF93 and I had a quote from several places when we got our entire house done last year and Everests initial price was a whopping £33k. In the January 50% off sale that obviously came down, and then the guy knocked off another 10% off that because we were getting the whole house done. Still came to more than the next expensive quote, which was several k more than the third quote.

In the end the whole house cost us about 7k iirc, and that included ripping out the old sash boxes etc, installing steel lintels and then the windows (including extra fire escape windows upstairs) and doors (which included double patio doors,) and disposal of the rubbish.
 
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