Replacement windows

[Little Plant]

We've just been got by door to door salesman - and what is worse Hubby is in agreement with the deal. We have been offered 8 windows (two large 5ft by 6ft and the rest about 3ft square) and a front door - Pilkington K glass - virgin upvc with acrilic frames - for �4500.00! Is this a reasonable price to expect to pay? There is a "cooling off " period on the deal, but not enough time to get other quotes in before they come and fit.

[buildersmate]

The only way to assure competition is to ask 3 organisations to quote against the same specification. There's no real average price.
But ask yourself this - is it likely that an organisation that has come to your door and sold you something when it knows it is the only organisation bidding will offer you one of their better deals?
The real issue is in the quality of the units (sounds OK) and the quality of the fitters (ask to speak to some satisfied customers).
Also have you checked that they are FENSA registered. If they are not, its a Building Control application at another cost of about �200.

[Little Plant]

Yes they are FENSA people - The advertise on TV and radio too -

[buildersmate]

Then they spend a lot of money on marketing. One guess where that cost comes from.
The margins on this sort of product are huge.
Not saying its a bad deal, but there's plenty of profit margin in this industry.

[Little Plant]

Thanks buildersmate - it will hopefully be fine and great value for money.

[Figi]

WE have just had 5 new windows - all much larger than yours and it was well under �3000. Your quote sounds expensive to me. Ours were done by a local firm and the fitting and quality are excellent.

[Little Plant]

I understand that a front door can make quite a significant difference to the price of the quote. Thank you for you concerns

[Big Al1st]

Hi,
A front door, fully re-inforced with decorative panel approximately �490 including VAT and fitting.
Allow �70 per window for fitting leaves �3450 for 8 windows. Divide 3550 by 8 leaves average �431 per window.
Seems expensive to me. I would have expected approx �3,500 for total job
More importantly ask about the guarantee. Alot of the big Companies use contract fitters and it is the fitters that carry the guarantee. If the fitters go out of business then the guarantee is null and void.
The Companies argument is that they are not responsible for the fitting and therefore do not issue the guarantee. This does not happen with every company but it is best to check up.
As Builders Mate said get two more quotes from local firms.
Regarding quality ask if doors are re-inforced, are the panels re-inforced, what sort of locking mechanisms do the doors and windows have. Rgds Al

[Big Al1st]

Also don't get put off by the fact they are using Pilkington K. They have to, or at least the equivalent, to fall in line with FENSA Regs.

[Little Plant]

It is my understanding that the guarantee is held by the company and lasts for 10 years. The windows are 7 point locking and the door is 13 point locking with a integral steel security sheet sandwiched and sealed into its heart. I don't have any qualifications in window manufacturing and don't really understand the finer points of virgin / pure virgin / recycled upvc I can only go on the sales blurb and the husbands enthusiasm I think we will be going for it....... although you guys have been most helpful with your answers

[buildersmate]

Just to keep it going - need to ensure the 'guarantee' is backed by a third-party indemnity insurance policy - ask the company if it is. Otherwise if they go out of business, the guarantee is worthless.

[Big Al1st]

Hi Buildersmate is right about the insurance although as part of registering with FENSA a Company must offer the Customer the option of obtaining an Insurance Backed Guarantee. The same thing applies if the company taked deposits.
The spec you have quoted for the door is good. We offer 9 point locking with MDF re-inforcing. So quality wise it would appear you have nothing to worry about. Good luck Rgds Al

[kwicky]

If you type 'replacement windows' in Google there are all the major suppliers of windows with over 50% off the price. Whether you have a good bargain at present is debateable but I would expect that salesman to get over �1000 in commission.

[buildersmate]

50% off what price. Does anyone ever pay the non-discounted price? Doubt it.

[Little Plant]

Thanks to all - Hubby and I will do our homework before it's too late!

[loobylou28]

hi there,
we too have just signed up for replacement windows and although we know that the company that are doing the job are the best in the are we still feel that we are paying a bit too much even though they have knocked the price down three times due to our constant whingeing!! We are having three large windows, a small window and a new front door all for �4,500.
The guy's first quote was �7,100 if you please!! I wouldn't mind if we were having our entire terraced house fitted but the bathroom window and the french doors on the back are having to stay as they are because we just simply could not afford them too.
It is a lot of money to pay and i know there are large profit margins to be had in this game but, i guess you do get what you pay for and I, for one, was simply not going to settle for anything other than the most reputable company around.