Double-glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You
can save money on your heating bills. *However, it will
be a long time before you save enough money equal to the
cost of the windows*. If you can't afford to replace *all*
your windows, choose the rooms that cost you the most money
to heat.
Double-glazed windows come in a variety of sizes and styles.
Check for any planning restrictions on your house due to
age and location. Sometimes planning permission may be required,
in the case in listed buildings and conservation areas.
Also if you are converting a flat window into a bay window.
Check this with the local authority.
Don't rely on the Yellow Pages or advertisements to choose
a supplier. Anyone can place an advert, join a trade body,
or display badges they're not entitled to.
Always use a reputable company that you have had independently
checked out. Don't rely on the fact that you have heard
of them as even some of the biggest advertisers may have
had several incarnations. It's very easy in Britain to shut
down one company and open up again under a similar name.
A 10% deposit is normal. A larger one is appropriate only
if the work is 'bespoke' - such as unique timber window
designs. Try to pay in stages according as the work in completed,
and withhold the final payment until the work is completed
to your satisfaction. Do not go for the cheapest quotation.
There's a price point below which you'll be buying rubbish.
Do not try to beat the price down too much. Less professional
suppliers will agree to it, but sell you short later. Get
the best you can afford. Ask your supplier how long the
delivery will be. Have this stipulated on your contract.
Additionally ask for an estimate of how long the work will
take to finish once they are on-site.
Always pay deposits by credit card, as this will afford
you some level of protection under the Consumer Credit Act.
If the company will accept credit cards for the whole job
then that is even better. You have 30 days to make a claim
with your credit-card company. You have to show how you
were given bad goods or workmanship i.e. they contracted
to give you X and gave you Y instead.
Check, double check and get independent advice on the contract
before you sign, as some contracts are considerably more
onerous than others.
The best way to avoid salesmen's traps is to be sure of
what you want before the salesman arrives in order to present
him with your requirements and use that as your bargaining
chip. Getting a specific quote against a specific set of
requirements is the only way you can be certain of getting
like for like quotations and getting the best prices to
compare at your leisure. Ask if your chosen double glazing
installer is a member of the Glass and Glazing Federation,
check for FENSA accreditation and make sure that all products
carry the safety standard kite mark.
Company checks to carry out:
How long have they been in business?
Check with Companies House.
What guarantees do they offer?
Are they insurance backed, lifetime or limited, are they
transferable?
Membership of independent or paid for trading organisations.
These could include:
G.G.F - Glass and glazing federation
B.P.F - British plastics federation.
F.M.B - Federation of master builders
Conservatory council
Conservatory association
Consumer protection association
Guild of master craftsman
E.B.C - European builders confederation
Quality standards:
BS5750
B.B.A certification
Public liability insurance.
Will the fitters and the company be covered if something
should go wrong? You should look for at least 2 million
pounds cover and check the certification covers the people
who are actually doing the work.
Product standards to check out:
B.S.I - British standards (kitemarks), for locking, security,
safety, product, glass etc.
B.B.A - British board of Agrement
FENSA - Document L of the building regulations.
You should make up a comparison checklist and confirm all
claims independently of any sales claim or literature. The
*good* contractors get work by word-of-mouth referrals from
previous clients. They've plenty of work to keep them going,
and so are worth waiting a few months for.
The bad ones are doing too many jobs at once, moving workers
from site to site, don't supervise them properly, and thus
do poor work.
Ask yourself: Have I been given:
1. Full and honest information.
2. Samples
3. Installations locally to look at
4. Recommendations.
5. The small print
6. Acceptable levels of deposits and payment terms
7. Full drawings and specification (if you don't have them
prepared first).
8. Time to think!
About The Author
T. O' Donnell (http://www.tigertom.com/double-glazing-uk/index.shtml)
offers double glazing quotes, advice, and an ebook, in London,
UK.
