Replacement window quote - reasonable?

[V8 Animal]

GSXRMovistar said:

Sole trader.

He needs to have a insurance backed warranty and have some sort of Fensa accreditation.
Or you will have to sort this with your local council.
It's hassle but it has to be done.
Also make sure ventilation, fire, and safety laws are not compromised.
Those expensive window companies will of course comply.
Just trying to show the other side.

[Pcot]

rufusgti said:

I'd have to agree with this.
£300 for a massive multi panel.

If you could forward a catalogue, or a contact number where I can buy these, i will put a lot of business your way!

[PurpleTurtle]

PurpleTurtle said:

I'm in the middle of getting quotes, all from local independents recommended by friends but even then the variation is pretty staggering.

Mine is a smaller job: 2 x upstairs bedroom windows, a kitchen door with adjoining panel window and a set of dining room French doors. Three quotes received for the same job, all completley inclusive of supply/fit/disposal of old woodens frames/10yr guarantee and VAT:

a) £4180 - includes Building regs cert
b) £3880 - FENSA contractor
c) £2865 - FENSA contractor

As far as I can make out the materials used are comparable - (c) was recommended by a mate who had nine(!!!) companies quote. I think they'll be getting the nod this week.

So I went with (c) not only because they were cheapest, but they've done the windows on two friends houses, impressive jobs.

Chap who owns th window company came around to measure up yesterday, tells me that the two upstairs windows (1 x 6ft wide, 1 x 4ft wide) have no external lintel supporting the four rows of bricks between top of the windows and the roofline. Apparently (recent?) changes to regs mean I need to get lintels fitted before they can put the windows in.

Me: "sure, OK, no probs, if it has to be done, it has to be done. Do you have a builder you use or recommend for this kind of thing?"
Fitter: "hmmm, no, not really, you'll need to find your own"

Slightly irked .... I don't mind having this additional, unexpected work done at a reasonable cost, but you'd think they probably hit this problem from time to time and have a friendly builder on hand that they can call up. Or am I expecting too much?

Anyone know how much I'm likely to have to pay (South East rates, Reading)?

[worsy]

V8 Animal said:

CorradoTDI said:

Does anyone know how much good wooden Windows would be compared to uPVC?

I know it proably depends on a lot of factors but as a rough like for like would I be looking at 50% more / 100% more etc?

Double for hardwood.

Mine are hardwood. To give you an idea, one like your free one (and the one next to it) 1350hx1700w 24mm glazing, Casement windows with Fixed sashes to non openers, satin chrome furniture, sprayed in colour of choice £816 supply only PLUS Vat.

Like this

[V8 Animal]

PurpleTurtle said:

So I went with (c) not only because they were cheapest, but they've done the windows on two friends houses, impressive jobs.

Chap who owns th window company came around to measure up yesterday, tells me that the two upstairs windows (1 x 6ft wide, 1 x 4ft wide) have no external lintel supporting the four rows of bricks between top of the windows and the roofline. Apparently (recent?) changes to regs mean I need to get lintels fitted before they can put the windows in.

Me: "sure, OK, no probs, if it has to be done, it has to be done. Do you have a builder you use or recommend for this kind of thing?"
Fitter: "hmmm, no, not really, you'll need to find your own"

Slightly irked .... I don't mind having this additional, unexpected work done at a reasonable cost, but you'd think they probably hit this problem from time to time and have a friendly builder on hand that they can call up. Or am I expecting too much?

Anyone know how much I'm likely to have to pay (South East rates, Reading)?

I agree with him.
He may well know quite a few but wise not to recommend.