We need new windows and last time we had a quote it wasn't pretty

[sorrento56]

That was 10 years ago though. We are now in a different house and badly need to replace the windows. We are not staying here forever so really don't want to spend a lot. Not the absolute cheapest windows but not the most expensive either. Where do we start and how do we avoid the crap that is if-you-sign-now-you-can-have-a-discount and also not be stuck with them for hours?

Personal recommendation? We used a good firm in the Midlands if that helps?! Actually, we had three firms come out to quote and they were all very sensible.

I also knocked on the door of one of the houses down the road to ask who had done theirs as they'd had the same thing done that we needed.

Oh, and google the names of the companies before you phone them, you will soon find pages and pages of people complaining about the pressure-selling ones.

Thank you. I think we are the only people to still have the original windows so have plenty of research available.

We just had a fabulous guy do ours -friendly, sensible, non pushy, independent, local and charged the same for installing three windows that the large chains wanted for installing one!

I would look on check-a-trader or something like that... (Or can recommend our guy if you are Surrey/London borders )

Not far off actually.

Are you talking about wooden windows or UPVC?

UPVC, can't afford wooden.

Our guy did a couple of UPVC sashes, including a bay (which even our UPVC hating next door neighbour was hugely impressed with) & one standard casement. Graham at Elite Windows if Addlestone is in roughly the right area for you maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=elite+windows&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=elite+windows&hnear=West+Molesey&cid=3434082915700330897&pcsi=3434082915700330897,1

Ummm, not sure what happened there - trying again:

maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=elite+windows&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=elite+windows&hnear=West+Molesey&cid=3434082915700330897&pcsi=3434082915700330897,1

LOL, give up!

I went for a small independent company locally - they were great and v. good value. Not even worth talking to the big firms, imo.

Thank you. I will make a list of local, smallish firms. What are they listed under in the yellow pages? Window firms??

we've just had our lounge bay replaced. it was a big job and we had an idea what it would cost as we had a quote 12 months ago,so got out 4 local firms to come and quote. one quote was £1000 more than the others so it really pays to shop around. the rest of the quotes were pretty much the same give or take £100 or so, so the next deciding factor was how willing were they to answer questions etc.. we went with the firm who spent almost 2 hours with us going over everything and explaining all the details. they did an excellent job. also, they did not requre any money until they'd done the job.

i phoned everest to get a comparison but they would not make an appointmnet ot see me unless my DH was there. so didn't go there !

. I want dh there with me but if they refused to see me without him, then no business. I wonder if they refuse to see men without their wives.

Shop around for quotes. I needed a window to be replaced. I was variously quoted £2,700, £1,500, £900 and £300.

hiya! My aunt just replaced her windows....she's very thrifty, but still went with the same company that we used a couple of years ago (and that's saying something, as she is definitely on the miser side of things!) It's called Double Glazing on the Web...she said that they had a online quoting thing which tells you the price up front...thought that was cool!

Hope this helps!!

x

If you know someone to fit them Wickes are actually ok. (if your windows are standard sizes). We did that in our last house 10 years ago and seemed as good quality as any other.

Agree with the local firms. We got a recommendation for a local firm and they did a front door and seven windows for 3000. Everest quoted 8,000 initially, then phoned up next week to offer 4,000, then we got a letter offering to do it for 2,500. Anglian did the same. If they had offered that price the first time we would have gone with them! We are still getting letters....

The local firm showed us a book of recommendations, were helpful and fitted the windows over two weekend days. Fitting was really well done and they took all the old windows/crap away with them.

Have you currently got wooden?

We've just done ours and a local joiner firm came out and charged us less to replace the sashes than it would have cost to replace the whole window with UPVC units. He checked all the frames and only a couple needed whole new units.

Just a thought if the frames are in okay condition.

You might not need them replacing - we live in a listed building, so were told we needed to repair rather than replace our rotten windows. We had them all repaired by a specialist craftsman and it saved us an absolute fortune.

The result is that we still have our original windows, they look great, and we've got rid of the rot and the draughts.

If these guys are local they offer a relaxed, no-pressure service. I used them as did a whole load of my friends.

www.heronwindows.co.uk/