Windows - need advice

[stillfrazzled]

We just moved into a Victorian semi. At the front it still has the original sashes (is DG everywhere else).

The sashes are in bad condition, and as we live just off a (smallish) high street it is quite noisy.

We would like to replace the windows with DG sashes and I'm getting quotes but so far the quotes are staggeringly expensive.

I really don't want to ding the value of the house, and have also been told that replacing sashes will do that - even if we replace with expensive sash DG. But DH doesn't want the responsibility of maintaining sash windows (especially if we're still going to be cold and woken up early by clanking lorries!).

This is the first place I've owned where windows are an issue and I am confused.

WWMNDo?

You should be able to have your existing sashes properly repaired by a specialist joiner. This isn't cheap either, but it does work. Your local Conservation Officers at the council can probably give you a list of joiners who will do this kind of work, even though your house isn't listed.

You can also go for secondary glazing.

However, I'd go for the expensive double glazed sashes, really. If you can't afford them now, set up a 'windows fund' and put some money in each month. They shouldn't affect the value of the house if you do them well enough.

Yeah, I think that's what I'm leaning towards.

How much can you haggle? Guy y'day told me his 'final price' was £7k - do you reckon I could beat him down to £5k?

Just curious here as we're moving to a house with sash windows that will need replacing and I want to get double glazed ones. Was that quote for just one sash window???!! I was budgeting about £10000 for 7 windows. Am I completely out in my budgetting?!!

Quote was for four opening sash windows (largish bay ones) and five non-opening ones to match.

But still loads, IMO!