Window Replacement

Woogie · 2 Jul 2013 at 12:01

Does anybody know much about window replacements and which company's may be best to use? I have gotten 3 quotes so far and they are as follows

Local guy - £9,200 for all windows and composite door + fitting

Local Company who have been going 35 years - 16,700 for same as above

Everest - £77,000 before discount (I laughed when he gave me that figure) then £32,000 after discount.

We are after diamond leaded rosewood effect windows and can give dimensions of all windows if people have a better idea but there are 28 windows and doors that will want replacing. Obviously the £9.2k struck me as a tad cheap and then £32k was way OTT but just wondered what exactly was normal.

Mr_Orange · 2 Jul 2013 at 12:09

Not knowing the local guy and local company I can only offer my general opinion.

Personally I'd go for the local company purely because of after installation support. The local guy may not have the stability or may have to prioritise new installations to get the cash in. Everest are a joke as you have already experienced. The local company should have the right balance of being approachable and have the structure set up for quick support.

Woogie · 2 Jul 2013 at 12:31

I was instantly put off the Local guy as when he asked if I wanted a composite or UPVC door I asked what the difference was and he just laughed at me.... I told him quite frankly that he was the expert not me and he needs to tell me what is best.

Nightglow · 2 Jul 2013 at 14:23

Woogie said:
I was instantly put off the Local guy as when he asked if I wanted a composite or UPVC door I asked what the difference was and he just laughed at me.... I told him quite frankly that he was the expert not me and he needs to tell me what is best.

I tell him to stick his windows where the sun doesn't shine.

Mark A · 3 Jul 2013 at 00:14

Woogie said:
I was instantly put off the Local guy as when he asked if I wanted a composite or UPVC door I asked what the difference was and he just laughed at me.... I told him quite frankly that he was the expert not me and he needs to tell me what is best.

Definitely go for a composite. They are more secure, better insulation, look FAR better and aren't that much more expensive really.

£9200 sounds low for that number of windows with leading and rosewood. He will have much lower overheads, no salesmen or surveyor to pay etc, but he could also be using a cheaper frame. There are 60mm frames which are cheaper than 70mm and some people are still using externally beaded.. Really need to find out exactly what they will be fitting so you can have a look online to see if it is decent gear.

If you want to lower it then going for rosewood externally and white internally is cheaper than full rosewood.

Woogie · 4 Jul 2013 at 13:45

We are going for composite without a doubt, In all honesty I had no idea going into it the differences between everything but I have a fair idea now having had 5 quotes and had people actually sit me down and go through things with me. I wouldn't allow anyone to just fit the windows without me having viewed something and given the go ahead on the quality of the product. As it is we may not be getting the windows done now as we need the house rewired, potentially changes to the central heating and a new motorbike for myself