UPVC window fitting costs
Discussion
Just a quick sanity check...
I bought some windows from a window company but due to other factors we were not ready for fitting so they asked for payment which was fair enough.
We are now ready and been quoted 2500 to fit 5 windows, that includes removing the old ones.
Is that about right? No scaffolding or anything. They are doing most of the work from inside.
I bought some windows from a window company but due to other factors we were not ready for fitting so they asked for payment which was fair enough.
We are now ready and been quoted 2500 to fit 5 windows, that includes removing the old ones.
Is that about right? No scaffolding or anything. They are doing most of the work from inside.
It sounds a little toppy but it is very much dependent on the size and complexity of the job. Just disposing of old UPVC windows can be an expensive exercise now. I have just fitted 3 sliding sash windows for a client and that was just under £2.5K for the install only. However there was a fair bit of internal joinery work to tidy up around the old sash weight boxes and make it all look good. I think you will struggle to do much better without resorting to a “mate of a mate”.
OutInTheShed said:
Fitting each window could be 1 man-hour or 1 man-day.
Then you're paying for them to belong to Fensa.
Which isn't worth the paper it's written on.Then you're paying for them to belong to Fensa.
RE Pricing, I'd assume you did you own due diligence on obtaining numerous quotes? If so, PH isn't going to give you a better estimation.
I can only speak from recent experiences, but windows (+ doors, patio, conservatory, related cladding etc etc) seems to be a 'race to the bottom' industry.
I had 2 windows and front door replaced on my house as part of the refurb and the entire job was a shambles, absolute cowboys. And that was from a 'Fensa registered' company.
Any Tom, Dick, Harry can replace a uPVC window, with basic tools and enough silicone / caulk to cover up their bodges.
I can't advise on pricing as it's probably very location dependant, but I will say it's worth paying a fair price for a decent company. Sounds like common sense I know, but I got sold a line by what seemed like a decent small local company and that resulted in nearly a year of headaches..
My parents by comparison have used a different local family business for a new porch, then a conservatory 'warm roof' replacement, and are soon to use them a third time for 4 new windows, they've been nothing but brilliant.
Trusted reviews and word of mouth recommendations are key, I think. Flashy social media marketing and buzzwords like 'Fensa' and 'warranty' are mostly snake oil, which I found out the hard way...
ETA: Regarding the old windows, we have a guy locally that buys and sells old uPVC windows and doors, people buy them on the cheap for things like out buildings, sheds, garages etc. Worth a scan of your local area Facebook group / Marketplace as there may be someone similar willing to take them off you.
I had 2 windows and front door replaced on my house as part of the refurb and the entire job was a shambles, absolute cowboys. And that was from a 'Fensa registered' company.
Any Tom, Dick, Harry can replace a uPVC window, with basic tools and enough silicone / caulk to cover up their bodges.
I can't advise on pricing as it's probably very location dependant, but I will say it's worth paying a fair price for a decent company. Sounds like common sense I know, but I got sold a line by what seemed like a decent small local company and that resulted in nearly a year of headaches..
My parents by comparison have used a different local family business for a new porch, then a conservatory 'warm roof' replacement, and are soon to use them a third time for 4 new windows, they've been nothing but brilliant.
Trusted reviews and word of mouth recommendations are key, I think. Flashy social media marketing and buzzwords like 'Fensa' and 'warranty' are mostly snake oil, which I found out the hard way...
ETA: Regarding the old windows, we have a guy locally that buys and sells old uPVC windows and doors, people buy them on the cheap for things like out buildings, sheds, garages etc. Worth a scan of your local area Facebook group / Marketplace as there may be someone similar willing to take them off you.
Edited by smithyithy on Friday 23 October 19:22
Edited by smithyithy on Friday 23 October 19:23
Josemartinez said:
Where are you lot getting your windows from?!
I work in finance for a window manufacturer, and the prices being mentioned in this thread are ridiculous.
Supplier wants a mark up, fitter wants a mark up, glass company wants a mark up. Sometimes you can add Main contractor also.
Easy for a £200 window to cost an end user 500/600
joshcowin said:
Whats your mark up on a window?
Supplier wants a mark up, fitter wants a mark up, glass company wants a mark up. Sometimes you can add Main contractor also.
Easy for a £200 window to cost an end user 500/600
Retail markup is about 35% on material cost.Supplier wants a mark up, fitter wants a mark up, glass company wants a mark up. Sometimes you can add Main contractor also.
Easy for a £200 window to cost an end user 500/600
I'm not sure what we charge for fitting but it's nowhere near £120 a window, more like £30 a window
Josemartinez said:
joshcowin said:
Whats your mark up on a window?
Supplier wants a mark up, fitter wants a mark up, glass company wants a mark up. Sometimes you can add Main contractor also.
Easy for a £200 window to cost an end user 500/600
Retail markup is about 35% on material cost.Supplier wants a mark up, fitter wants a mark up, glass company wants a mark up. Sometimes you can add Main contractor also.
Easy for a £200 window to cost an end user 500/600
I'm not sure what we charge for fitting but it's nowhere near £120 a window, more like £30 a window
Josemartinez said:
Retail markup is about 35% on material cost.
I'm not sure what we charge for fitting but it's nowhere near £120 a window, more like £30 a window
Sorry what? You charge £30 to fit a window. That cannot be right! I'm not sure what we charge for fitting but it's nowhere near £120 a window, more like £30 a window
I can only assume you supply and fit to new builds with openings ready only. But even then £30 cannot be right, that means you pay less than that to the tradesperson!
£120 a window is reasonable in my experience.
gotoPzero said:
Just a quick sanity check...
I bought some windows from a window company but due to other factors we were not ready for fitting so they asked for payment which was fair enough.
We are now ready and been quoted 2500 to fit 5 windows, that includes removing the old ones.
Is that about right? No scaffolding or anything. They are doing most of the work from inside.
So you've paid for the windows, so they're yours, and they want more money for fitting?I bought some windows from a window company but due to other factors we were not ready for fitting so they asked for payment which was fair enough.
We are now ready and been quoted 2500 to fit 5 windows, that includes removing the old ones.
Is that about right? No scaffolding or anything. They are doing most of the work from inside.
After getting a FENSA bod to fit the hardest ones, and being told I couldn't sell my house without the certificate - *guffaw* - I saw how he did it and bought/fitted the rest myself. Even if you don't fancy DIY, if my assumption is correct I think you've got the right to take them and get other quotes to fit them.
9 windows for us including a large 2 floor feature window was £11k a few years back from a well know national company that likes to charge.
Seems to be licence to print money window and door companies.
We had a bad experience with another respected local company and a large front door, ended up only paying the deposit and they never chased us for the rest as they knew they didnt want anything to do with it. I was gutted I payed them the deposit too really.
Seems to be licence to print money window and door companies.
We had a bad experience with another respected local company and a large front door, ended up only paying the deposit and they never chased us for the rest as they knew they didnt want anything to do with it. I was gutted I payed them the deposit too really.
Belle427 said:
9 windows for us including a large 2 floor feature window was £11k a few years back from a well know national company that likes to charge.
Seems to be licence to print money window and door companies.
We had a bad experience with another respected local company and a large front door, ended up only paying the deposit and they never chased us for the rest as they knew they didnt want anything to do with it. I was gutted I payed them the deposit too really.
There is hardly any money in it anymore for established local companies, since they are being undercut from guys working out of vans without the same overheads, who buy them cheap, bang them in fast and are impossible to find when things go wrong Seems to be licence to print money window and door companies.
We had a bad experience with another respected local company and a large front door, ended up only paying the deposit and they never chased us for the rest as they knew they didnt want anything to do with it. I was gutted I payed them the deposit too really.
Energy costs have increased the cost of glass so much that 2 big manufacturers up here in Scotland have went bust or just closed the doors in the last 2 years.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-environme...
Maybe.
We are paying £50 a window to fitters but that is site work, fitting before plaster, so they can smash them in.
One of our fitters charged a mate of mine (not really mates rates but not piss take) £150 to fit a pretty easy 1800 x 1000 casement. I would expect sort of £150-200 ish from a one man band assuming it’s simple and only needs one man to fit.
We are paying £50 a window to fitters but that is site work, fitting before plaster, so they can smash them in.
One of our fitters charged a mate of mine (not really mates rates but not piss take) £150 to fit a pretty easy 1800 x 1000 casement. I would expect sort of £150-200 ish from a one man band assuming it’s simple and only needs one man to fit.
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