Thank you for choosing to read my article. I think you’ll find it most informative if you’re considering the purchase of replacement windows, doors, or a conservatory for your home.
What makes a quality double glazing product
Firstly, there are many terms for plastic composite double glazing, such as UPVC, PVC and PVC-U, and you may be surprised to find that they all refer to the same thing, so you don’t have to worry about knowing each one. one. .
If you’ve already been doing your research, you’ve probably heard the word “Pilkington Glass” used by many window replacement companies. This is for good reason as Pilkington are the market leaders offering a wide range of excellent quality glass options.
There are thousands of independent window replacement companies, and the standards vary wildly. Talk to as many people as you can in your local area, looking for personal recommendations. It may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people just talk to a couple of Windows vendors before making a decision.
We have mentioned quality glass, now let’s talk about quality window frames. A very good quality UPVC window frame is VEKA, which operates its network all over the world, including VEKA Inc in the US and VEKA PLC in the UK. They provide excellent training for their installers along with 10-year warranties. Once you’ve gotten their personal recommendations, double check to see if they use Pilkington, VEKA, or both.
For those looking to own a Conservatory, the same quality of glass and frames still applies. Ultraframe makes a very good quality roof. At the time of writing, Ultraframe was the only roofing system in the UK to meet strict US standards.
Whatever you decide, make sure the deck frame is at least 55mm thick, ideally 80mm, as the thicker the wall, the stronger it will be.
Next, verify that the companies you place to obtain quotes are registered with FENSA and CPA. This ensures a standard and level of service, but again, prices and quotes will vary, so you should try to get quotes from companies that have already passed your checklist in terms of quality.
Price can be an indicator of quality, but not always. When you’ve shortlisted the companies you want to use for a quote, make a note of each company Glass, Frame Type, Frame Thickness, and Warranties. Due to the different standards, it really isn’t like buying a new car and the cheapest quote won’t always be the right decision for your home. Sometimes paying a little more can add many years before you need to replace it again.
Service Checklist
Most companies will be registered with FENSA and the CPA as well as providing a 10 year insurance backed guarantee. However, this warranty is for if the company goes bankrupt, so always be sure to find out what the companies’ warranties and “after sales service” are like and what exactly you can expect if you have a problem.
Check that the company you are considering has its own assembly crews and does not subcontract cheap labor. This ensures that the personal recommendations you previously obtained will be reliable.
Check that the company will provide you with a start date and an end date for your installation. You want to make sure that the company will start when you say it will and finish on time and not leave work for a week or two in between. Ask them if there are penalties available if they don’t finish on time. You probably won’t get them to agree to this, but you are setting the stage for some timely work.
If you’re getting multiple quotes, create your own table so you can compare all product elements listed, as well as service levels and professional body memberships.
price negotiation
When you decide on a company that meets all of the above requirements, a free quote means a visit to your home by the company’s representative, who will assess your requirements or inspect your land if you’re considering a conservatory.
There are no proven tricks to extract the lowest price from the person who visits your house. I know a team of salespeople from the company I work for and the best tactic is to be yourself and be courteous and friendly to build a relationship with the salesperson.
You will have a price in mind and if your quote is higher, ask them if they can go lower and see what they come up with. Next, tell them that you can make a decision today, but the price has to be much lower because it’s much more than you expected; at this point, say nothing. If the original price is now down 10% or more, you’ve done your job, and if you’re happy with everything, consider taking the deal. After all, quality home improvements are expensive, but they sometimes increase the value of your home more than the cost of the home improvements immediately, so it’s a good investment, as long as you’ve done your homework.