New windows - what to watch out for with sales etc?

[BlogOnTheTyne]

Thinking about getting new windows fitted as many or ours (1970s and some 1930s!!) are rotting, letting through black mould and beginning to 'fall out'! No idea how much it costs but have heard so many things about people's terrible experiences with 'double glazing salesmen'.

Anyone who's had this done, can you suggest what we need to consider - ie 'types of window' (UPVC/wooden/double glaze)? Do some end up looking awful if cheaper type?

What kind of price are we looking at these days eg per window or even per whole house?

Anyone recommend a company and also any companies we should avoid like the plague??

Avoid Zenith like the plague - excellent fitters, windows fine so far, but they will never take no for an answer

Why would we want any more windows when they have replaced all of our (many) windows already?

Do not fall for the 'o I will just ring my manager and see if I can get more discount' line, or the ' if you agree to have an ad board outside we can get you another discount' or the 'if you agree to having photo taken you might get a full refund' - the price is the price.

Also in kitchens you have to (Aparently) have a certain amount of ventilation - salesman may convince you only to have , say, one but when the surveyor comes he might say regs say two, you've signed by then but still have to pay the extra for opening - 'it's safety regs'.

Nightmare - hope you find a better company.

Get some local firms to come out and give you a quote. They're usually very friendly and you won't get any of the sales pitches you might get from big nationals.

We've just had our windows replaced with new A-rated double glazing (which is pretty much standard now I think) - 4 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom plus front & back door for £4k.

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I should try some local companies rather than the big guys. That's very helpful.

There is a local company near us offering triple glazed for the price of double, I'd love triple glazed if only for the extra sound protection.

I read that a lot of the scandanavian countries use triple glazed as standard but I dont know if it's true or not.

Agree with MeanMum on Zenith. Fab windows, fitters were excellent. Sales were piss poor and we then got hassled every week to try to sell new products. That plus the teenagers they send round door to door has led me to swear never to use them again.

Shame though as the job they did in our old house really was good and we need new windows here too!

We used a local firm (got quotes from 3 ) as we wanted wooden sashes. No hard sell at all, lovely workmen and good aftercare

I would avoid the big companies like the plague