To buy the more expensive windows?

[Invisiblewoman1]

I am purchasing windows for my new period property. The previous owners removed the sash windows and replaced with very ugly upvc casement windows. So my plan was to always replace and put nice upvc sash windows in their place to improve curb appeal.

I had one local company round to measure up and quote. The rep was very helpful, giving lots of advice and suggestions but in no way pushy. The company has excellent reviews on every site. They employ their own fitters on permanent contracts so everyone is looked after and all the windows then come with a 15 year guarantee. The windows are lovely and I really like the company.

I got some other quotes from local companies who mainly do supply only or fit with external fitters so the guarantees aren’t as good.the reviews are very mixed - some 5/5 some 1-2/5 wit not much in between. Mainly the poor reviews are about the fitting and the after help if things go wrong.

I have a limited budget to spend on renovating this house which is rapidly running out.

I prefer the first company as I feel morally they are better and the reviews are better and I feel safer with the guarantee etc.

However - the first company have come in £1500 per window. The other two companies have been £400 per window and £900 per window.

Unsure if I am being ridiculous to go with the more expensive company.

Are the windows of the same quality? Do all quotes include fitting?
I think with most things in life you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a wrap around service with good customer care and back up then pay the more expensive price. If you just want new windows and no service/after care then take the cheaper option.

You should never pay the first price you're quoted OP.

Go back to the company you like and negotiate a better price on the basis you've had other quotes that are much lower.

Similar here. We've just taken out the existing UPVC and replaced with wooden double glazed sliding sash. Quotes were initially between £750 and £1000 per window. However, plus vat and making good (there was A LOT of this, all the old cills and boxes were gone, both bays needed replastering) things came in at only a little less than 1500 per window in the end.
£1400 seems OK. The other quotes too low.
Can you see previous work?

Thank you.

I just feel like with everything so far I have not accepted the cheapest quote as usually they ask for cash or the outsource things or the person who actually ends up doing the work is paid peanuts on a zero hour contract and I’m really trying not to unwillingly pay for modern day slavery by going for the cheapest options but by taking the moral stance I feel like It’s all costing so much. Which is prob the fair price with everyone being paid a fair Wage were just used to people undercutting by not paying people properly I guess.

I'd be very wary of a company quoting less than £1k/ window for a wooden sash. I'd expect them to fall apart in 2 years and the company to do a runner at that price. The first company sounds about right. Do they have references to can go and have a look at?

If you can afford it, go with the expensive good quote

400 for a sash seems very low.

Are the windows weighted (lead) or use a cheaper spring system? The spring system looks clunky and is unreliable.
Do both sections open?
Who’s painting them - same colour both sides or different?
How many glazing bars?
What timber are they using?
Is the price inc or ex vat?
Double or single glazed?
Locks included?

Our windows vary with size but are between 800 - 1500 each.

Check your quotes and see if you're comparing like with like.

Sorry, I am putting upvc sash windows in not wood. They are “conservation area approved”. Although not in a conservation area i wanted the look

Sorry, whereas the cheaper quotes are not conservation area approved so will have less details etc etc

So not like for like at all

Ahh, posted too late.

If you’re being quoted those kind of prices for upvc - why not have a look at timber?

My neighbour has upvc ‘sash’ and although better than most I’ve seen, they don’t look like timber.

The second lot of quite sound very cheap for UPVC sash style, check the quality, they do vary!

*quotes

Conservation area approved is just marketing- there isn't such a thing.

That said, they sound like a better quality design etc.

Negotiate!!

I would go for timber. Sash upvc especially large ones don't look very good.

Personally I'd go for wood. Yes there's a bit of maintenance, but not that much and they look a million times better.

But if you're choosing between the wuites you have I'd ask fir 3 addresses from each where you can check out how they look yourself.

Given there's no such thing as 'conservation area approved' I'd wonder what else was bullshit in their spiel.

1,500 is expensive as essentially they are still white plastic.
Can you ask friends for recommendations?
And tbh the guarantee is worthless as this type of business regularly folds and resurrects under a different name.
I'm concerned you've fallen for the sales pitch big time!

If you like the company, and they have good reviews, offer a 15 year guarantee, I am assuming the guarantee is insurance backed in case their firm goes bust etc.

I would speak to them about the quotes and how the quotes vary widely etc.

They may be able to reduce the price a little to get your order or explain why there windows are superior to the cheaper quotes you have had.

Good luck OP.

“Conservation area approved” was my Talk lol no one has said that to me. I just mean there’s a difference between a upvc window which has made been to the standard of a conservation area. When I previously lived in a CA there were certain upvc companies who you were allowed based on the design details and it’s one of those manufacturers.

I’m going to go down to the showroom and have a look and I will also look at precious customers - good suggestion

Previous

But yes...I’m also worried I fell for the sales talk. Although, to be fair there was no sales talk. No hard sell. I just read it all in my research of the company

Conservation area approved is absolute marketing speak, unless there are additional protections on the conservation area then you can replace your windows assuming the building isn't listed with anything at all you want, it's one reason why so many conservation areas are loosing their character.

I used to work in this area and as others have said get a quote for timber, well maintained they last a lot longer, they look more in keeping with the character of the building and there is nothing at all stopping them being double glazed. In addition they can help with damp and condensation issues by helping the building to breathe, old buildings are not meant to be sealed up and as we introduce plastic windows and more and more insultation they can often start to develop problems.

Surely if I have a quote of £1500 for a upvc sash then timber will be at least double? If the house had the timber windows in I would absolutely keep them as I much prefer timber. But as they’ve already been replaced I was going to stick with upvc to save money

Nope - mine are between 800 - 1500cm ish. So each window is priced accordingly.

Double glazed
Lead weighted
Acoya (sp?) wood
2 different painted colours (external & internal)
1 glazing bar (Victorian than Georgian style)

No, @Invisiblewoman1, wooden ones absolutely same price. As a rule the costs involved are to do with numbers of joints. A window with numerous glazing bars will be more costly whatever material is used as it simply takes longer to make. About £1k a window pretty standard where we are.