Glazing quote - Consensus?

[DorsetDude]

I realise without the exact details its impossible to be sure, just wonder what people thought.

Ive got a quote in for 4 rooms in my pad, one of which is the bathroom so a smallish window.
Bedroom 1 and 2: Two front facing window, (one is a slight bay), both 3 "units" across, i.e an opening window on the left, a fixed window, then another opener on the right, plus opening fanlights above left and right and dummy top window bit in the middle. Those windows will also be "leaded" with the vertical square style and have a blue bevelled diamond motif on the top fanlights and dummy.
Lounge: Large 5' by 4' ish opaque glass window with 2 opening top bits plus 2 smaller fixed 18" x 3' windows. These windows all face neighbours drive so need to be opaque for privacy
Bathroom, opaque glass with top opening bit. prob about 2' by 3 1/2'

Pilkington glass in all.

Total quote a smidgin over £3600. inc VAT, making good etc.

I think thats not a bad price but never bought double glazing before. Does it seem good? Im hoping its at least £1000 or so cheaper than somebody like Anglia/Everest.

Thanks.

 

[dinners]

I had about 8 quotes for my house ranging from about 5K to 18K

I think we ended up getting it for 3.5K from a company who first quoted us about 6K

I was amazed at how much sway they could manage when pushed.

 

[Mr Bump]

What do the frames look like and how solid are they?
Are they classed as "Sold Secure" ?

I would focus more on the product than the price at first.

 

[MWHCVT]

No idea how resonable that is or not but what I'd say is avoid the big players like the plague, not only were they uber pushy on the sales pitch but also they all started high and went down and down on price...

Where as we used a local independent actually from the village, he came, measured up and quoted for the job, no sales pitch at all for windows other than to say they met or exceeded the required standard and came with XYZ security features....after this couple of minutes he went and said to call back if we wanted to go ahead...he quoted less for the work than any of the other other large firms even after all their price drops etc...he was quick but clean doing the work etc, really you couldn't have wanted a better job done....sadly your so far away otherwise I'd have given you his number

 

[DorsetDude]

What you've described is exactly the sort of bloke I got round Matt. Been doing the job for donkeys years and set up on his own a few years back and has never looked back.

Pretty sure the price is ok. I cant really see what the units look like beforehand as he doesnt have a showroom, he just comes round measures up, gives a quote then orders the frames etc to be made prior to doing the work.

 

[Mr Bump]

I would absolutely want to see the frames he was going to use first.
He will be using a manufacturer of sorts they must have a website, also as before the level of security.

 

[DorsetDude]

I would absolutely want to see the frames he was going to use first.
He will be using a manufacturer of sorts they must have a website, also as before the level of security.

Rehau frames, pilkington glass. I will ask him for more details on the actual frame units.

Thanks.

 

[Neil B]

Without seeing a sample i would be walking away, you could end up regretting deciding otherwise and once in there's no going back.

 

[Gremlin]

Ask him where he has done other work and if you can have a look.

When I had my old property done all those that came to quote bought sample windows with them
for inspection, except the one I went for, a local firm with a good reputation and a showroom to visit.
Had no problem with after sales service, 4 replacement front doors which warped in summer heat
not their fault and the manufacturers sent people to replace them, seems they had a few problems
with a design fault

 

[kendo1]

I'd get in touch with a local builder/joiner.
They can pick up very good quality double glazing direct.
I installed a window in a bathroom two years ago (with the help of a mate who is a joiner/ex double glazing installer, as I hadn't done it before). The cost of the window, about 1m sq, was £190, the install was £200. It took half a day to finish the job as we had a few coffee breaks.


EDIT: the window was made to measure, we picked it up about a week after it was ordered.

 

[tictoc]

I had about 8 quotes for my house ranging from about 5K to 18K

I think we ended up getting it for 3.5K from a company who first quoted us about 6K

I was amazed at how much sway they could manage when pushed.

Good advice. Get as many quotes as you can stand to have people at your house. That will give you an idea for the average in your area. Stay clear of anyone who doesn't specify the brand or type of window they will be using on the quote.

 

[Nod]

Beware of the company with the highest mountainous prices - I had to threaten to call the police before their salesman would leave.

IIRC, the price is as much dependent (if not more so) on the number of openers and panes as it is on the size of each window. IMO the artificial leaded look looks tacky in/on double glazed windows.

 

[Kingo46]

cost me 2K for 2 bedrooms & kitchen and French doors some were asking for 3K+

 

[dejongj]

Quotes will vary wildly. Ours were between £6k right upto £32k. We ended up going for a local company which manufactures and installs. They've given us great service over the years; and with the two incidents we've had perfectly matched the colour glass.

 

[Lynton]

Beware of the company with the highest mountainous prices - I had to threaten to call the police before their salesman would leave.

IIRC, the price is as much dependent (if not more so) on the number of openers and panes as it is on the size of each window. IMO the artificial leaded look looks tacky in/on double glazed windows.

Hmm I threatened to throw him out "That's a pound for Paul gone!" - Eventually I threw his briefcase and samples out the front door and suggested he had 5 seconds to go pick them up! Couple of phone calls to senior management the next day!

 

[Russ77]

The first flat I moved into had Georgian style windows with original wooden frames (think the property was built in the 60s) so you can imagine by 2004 they were in a bit of a state

The rear of the flat had been double glazed so all that needed replacing was the kitchen window (around 1.5mx1m) and the lounge window which was a fair size and a slight bay (at a guess 2.5m x1.5m), the Georgian style needed to be retained.

We had some of the "big boys" round who quoted between £4K - £6K but miraculously come back with 50%+ discounts after a few days.

Someone, in fact two of my friends recommended a local firm who quoted £1800, they got the work and did a fantastic job!

So another vote for recommend local/independant glazers

 

[StewartR]

I realise without the exact details its impossible to be sure....

Exactly. Double glazing is all made to measure and it very hard to have an instinctive feel for what the right price should be.

For example: We're currently doing up our house and I have a quote for TEN windows for £5,300. They include one that's 6' square, one that's 8'x4', and three more that are 6'x4' each. Aluminium frames, triple glazed, tilt/turn throughout, U values of about 0.9.

Is that better or worse value than yours? It's hard to say.

... plus opening fanlights above left and right
... "leaded" with the vertical square style
... a blue bevelled diamond motif on the top fanlights and dummy

You probably know this, but these are all features which add to the cost. Especially the motifs. But they also make it harder to determine whether the price is reasonable.

The only way to sense check your quote is to get lots more quotes. Vary the spec as well if any of your features are not strictly necessary, so you can see what you're paying for them. We've talked to 10 suppliers and have quotes ranging from £3,000 to £9,500, so we can see exactly where the money is going.

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

Hmm I threatened to throw him out "That's a pound for Paul gone!" - Eventually I threw his briefcase and samples out the front door and suggested he had 5 seconds to go pick them up! Couple of phone calls to senior management the next day!

He'd get a pat on the back for persistence

 

[banksi007]

dorset.bit of advice from a glazing firm owner!!!!
go local
ask for references and view their work
ensure they are fensa registered
pay NO DEPOSIT
don't be pestured/pushed
ensure you and company sign legal contract.
hope this helps,any more info reqd'let me know

 

[Swanseajack]

Rehau profile is a good one, but my preference was Veka as I liked the profile. I also liked Anglian when I was working in manufacturing for them.

First off, for the main bedroom windows have you considered full height openings rather than have a fan above, reason being an escape route in case of fire. With the less openings you have the price will come down, as mentioned by others.

With out seeing the exact and type of windows being installed, it is hard to give an exact estimate but for me it's a tad on the juicy side for a local one man installer, although the bay type window maybe pushing the price up a bit along with the lead work and other extras.

To give you an idea, it costs me trade about £600 to buy a Veka 2440 x 1200 window (8x4 ish in old money) with two full height side openings and that's also using Pilkington Glass. So as a very rough guess, I would estimate the materials would cost about £2000 so fitting cost is £1600. So for a day and half work for a fitter and labourer it's not bad money, even after disposing old units, make-up costs etc..........

Also to bare in mind with the rough cost above is location and availability of local manufactures. I have a local one to me so transport and holding costs are going to be cheaper. And I am not sure if the Rehau profile is a lot more expensive than Veka.

 

[mickledore]

We've just replaced our windows 7 in total from a local and long established firm with an excellent pedigree. Pilks glass and secure frames. 7 windows .... £2500

 

[DorsetDude]

First off, for the main bedroom windows have you considered full height openings rather than have a fan above, reason being an escape route in case of fire. With the less openings you have the price will come down, as mentioned by others.

thats what I currently have, full height side openers and in the middle a 2 section with the top fanlight actually opening. I don't think this looks as good as - either all the sections being full height or all the sections having 2 "bits", whether top bit actually opens or not. This is why I have gone for more openings in this case.

With out seeing the exact and type of windows being installed, it is hard to give an exact estimate but for me it's a tad on the juicy side for a local one man installer, although the bay type window maybe pushing the price up a bit along with the lead work and other extras.

Apparently the bevelled design top windows add c £60 per window and on 3 two section windows thats 6 in total, so £360. not sure what the leading in the "main" windows adds per section. im currently pondering going back to plain glass in the larger lower sections and maybe just a motif of some sort in the 6 top bits. I do like the look of the rectangular leading though so decisions...
the quote I had before I asked for the bevelled fanlights and "leading" i.e just plain glass (opaque in the lounge and bathroom) was £2700, for 6 "windows" where windows = holes in the wall where the windows go. As previously said some of these "windows" are actually 3 units wide but its still one "window".

To give you an idea, it costs me trade about £600 to buy a Veka 2440 x 1200 window (8x4 ish in old money) with two full height side openings and that's also using Pilkington Glass. So as a very rough guess, I would estimate the materials would cost about £2000 so fitting cost is £1600. So for a day and half work for a fitter and labourer it's not bad money, even after disposing old units, make-up costs etc..........

He reckons 2 of them are going to be there for three maybe four days. Cost is fixed however long it takes them though. Which I prefer, encourages them to get on with it.

Thanks for the info, appreciated.

 

[mattyg]

I budget £250 per window on my renovations. Plus £400-£600 for french doors.

Google for Double galzing manufacturers in your area. They'll have fitters they know. Or fitters that do they're trade work.

 

[DorsetDude]

I budget £250 per window on my renovations. Plus £400-£600 for french doors.

What is a "window" though. Is it an individual pane, or is it the whole shebang that fits into the brickwork "hole"?

 

[Swanseajack]

thats what I currently have, full height side openers and in the middle a 2 section with the top fanlight actually opening. I don't think this looks as good as - either all the sections being full height or all the sections having 2 "bits", whether top bit actually opens or not. This is why I have gone for more openings in this case.


Apparently the bevelled design top windows add c £60 per window and on 3 two section windows thats 6 in total, so £360. not sure what the leading in the "main" windows adds per section. im currently pondering going back to plain glass in the larger lower sections and maybe just a motif of some sort in the 6 top bits. I do like the look of the rectangular leading though so decisions...
the quote I had before I asked for the bevelled fanlights and "leading" i.e just plain glass (opaque in the lounge and bathroom) was £2700, for 6 "windows" where windows = holes in the wall where the windows go. As previously said some of these "windows" are actually 3 units wide but its still one "window".


He reckons 2 of them are going to be there for three maybe four days. Cost is fixed however long it takes them though. Which I prefer, encourages them to get on with it.

Thanks for the info, appreciated.

Three or four days seems a long time for four windows. Whats he removing steel ones with fixings into plaster or outside rendering, or how complicated is the bay??

Be sure if going for a lot of sections in a window as sometimes it can look like very busy depending on the profile. 3 panes can look sleeker and more streamlined and they can be easier to clean. Has he fitted the same / similar design somewhere else so you can have a look at?

Depending on the period of the property a sash window design can also look nice, with just the middle opening.

Anyway, the local independant will usually be the cheapest and supplying the same quality, as he doesn't have the overheads of a sales unit and sales staff. So if your happy with him and he comes recomended go with him.



Edit: If your going for the smaller fans for ventilation ask for trickle vents to be fitted or the side windows to be catched locked when slightly open.

 

[DorsetDude]

Three or four days seems a long time for four windows. Whats he removing steel ones with fixings into plaster or outside rendering, or how complicated is the bay??

Its not 4 windows, its 6 in total. 3 in the lounge, one in each of the 2 bedrooms and one in the khazi bathroom

Be sure if going for a lot of sections in a window as sometimes it can look like very busy depending on the profile. 3 panes can look sleeker and more streamlined and they can be easier to clean. Has he fitted the same / similar design somewhere else so you can have a look at?

The bedroom windows are 3 pane already and seem to look ok. They will just be slightly "posher" 3 panes after. With 2 instead of one opening fan light and maybe the leading and bevelled motif on the fans.

Anyway, the local independant will usually be the cheapest and supplying the same quality, as he doesn't have the overheads of a sales unit and sales staff. So if your happy with him and he comes recomended go with him.

He kind of is a local independant. Just that Ive known him for years through the social club Im in and loads of other people there have used him. Ive used him before at my previous property as well although there he was only replacing 2 blown glass panes, not changing the frames etc as well. Very good value for that he was.

Edit: If your going for the smaller fans for ventilation ask for trickle vents to be fitted or the side windows to be catched locked when slightly open.

Yes trickle vents will be installed. Id also like to be able to lock the side/fanlight when partially open too. Being a bungalow I'm a bit(lot) more security conscious about open windows.

Thanks again.

 

[StewartR]

Id also like to be able to lock the side/fanlight when partially open too.

Don't forget that, as far as your insurers are concerned, "locked partially open" is the same as "open".

 

[mattyg]

What is a "window" though. Is it an individual pane, or is it the whole shebang that fits into the brickwork "hole"?

UPVC frame 1 top opener.
DG Glass is dirt cheap 1000mm x 1000mm about £30.