If you are an estate agent, please would you advise

[XingMing]

We are currently considering replacing two windows and a French door in our sitting room. They need doing, so it's not a whim. We have a quote to replace in very high quality powder-coated aluminium, which adds up to about £12K fitted.

As we are ageing, and may sell the house to downsize in the next few years, please could I have your opinion on whether to go cheap with decent with UPVC or spend the money on the better quality windows? It's worth mentioning that the weather is worst from the SW, and these windows take full sun, and full storm force gales.

If we spend the money are we going to get it back on the value of the house?

For reference, it's a spacious 1970s house, with a wonderful view, and the rest of the windows are hardwood, all DG.

And the windows are huge, 3metres wide at minimum.

I think I'd go for the budget option as long as it matched the rest of the house. Houses with mismatched windows look a bit odd in my opinion

I’m not an estate agent, but I viewed 83 houses in 6 months, so I ended up with a whole load of local property experience for that time haha.

I think it depends on the price of the house. We bought a very expensive house that has pretty awful chunky uPVC windows and French doors. The windows were installed 22 years ago though, so we knew they’d need replacing! We saw the potential of the house and the size of the plot, so overlooked the need for new windows. It’s going to cost £45-50k to replace all windows/French doors this coming summer. I’m going to keep cost down by doing soft wood, instead of hard wood frames, as we will only be here for another 8/10 years, so I’m not thinking long term.

So have a look at similar priced properties and see what the “competition” has to offer.

I'm an estate agent. I wouldn't go expensive, you won't see the return on that money spent unfortunately.

You won’t see the return on that money. Go for the budget option

Thanks for all your advice! I hear the caution and appreciate your input.

We're at the top of the local market, property price wise, but not in a luxe waterfront yachting village (where you could add another £250k to the price). We did the windows about 20 years ago on a tight budget; they were horrid from the beginning, and have aged badly, so they've expanded and contracted, now hardened and sagged becoming draughty. Our neighbours have had endless niggles with their uPVC windows and conservatory; those with better windows haven't. We shall be here for five or so more years, so will get some value from the windows, whatever we do. Thinking about it a bit longer.

Have you considered replacing with wooden doors and windows as a mid-range option?

If you’re going to be there for five years, fit the ones you want to look at for five years. Upvc are really clunky.

I agree that if you are going to stay for 5 years go for the option you most want to live with.