Anyone know owt about uPVC windows?

[DirtyCaner]

Forgive me if this is a little off topic, but I just wondered if anyone knew much about this subject?

I'm looking at a deal to get some uPVC windows put in but I've no idea if it really is a good deal or reliable company. It's a lot of money to shell out so if anyone has any input I'd love to hear it.

I'm looking at getting 8 windows (brown finish out, white inside), a 'rockdoors' door and side panel. 8 grand installed, 10 year guarantee. It's with a company called penicuik, the boy says that their windows are a superior product compared with cheaper companies ie CR Smith. Well... if I believed everything people told me I'd still be trying to see if my hand was bigger than my face or smoking banana skins...

Anyone had any experience with this company or know if this is a decent deal?

Cheers,

DirtyC

 

[PD]

If you want the best....fit Everest.

My neighbour had windows fitted same time as me Mine came already made up in a factory ready to be installed and glass fitted My neighbours company turned up with long lengths of UPVC and a couple of beer crates and a hand saw. Both have lasted.... so who knows.

 

[bobsbeer]

I would check around. Get a few quotes, and imo avoid Everest. They are not the best, but expensive. We had our downstairs windows (2 x large) and front door replaced by a reputable local company, about £2000.

 

[PD]

I didn't have Everest. far too expensive. I had a local company that went bust 9 yrs into my 10 yr warranty ...

 

[oldbloke]

8k sounds too much, compared to what ours cost, by at least 3 grand.
Rule with window salesmen is to turn down their first 2 (sometimes 3) prices. They've wasted time doing the quote, they want the business. After the bogus phonecall to their manager you get the real price, and may still be able to get a bit more off.
Don't pay more than a 10% deposit until you've had them a few weeks and had time to spot any flaws that need correcting (fit, tightness of stays on opening lights, glass scratches, frame blemishes, blah blah blah).
The actual fitters are often subcontracting from the people you're buying from.
Google the company as hard as you can. And their directors.

 

[DirtyCaner]

Thanks guys,

I reckon it maybe on the expensive side too. To be fair to Mrs Caner she did manage to keep a straight face at the boys 'communication' with his boss. I just smiled politely as I drank my beer. I think we will definately shop around some more. The product did seem good but if we can get a reasonably similar thing for a better price it's better. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers for the input!

DirtyC

 

[Andy.H]

I work for a glass processors, we supply the sealed units to various companies (the glass bit of the windows). I've seen the name Penicuik before, we've previously supplied units to them through a company called JWD Frames. They are fairly meticulous about the glass we supply them, so you shouldn't end up with any glass problems. Price wise... does seem a bit high. But you do get what you pay for I guess.

One thing I would say, try and avoid the smaller companies... go for a name that's been around for at least 10 years, preferably more. Reason being this: I see a lot of smaller companies that "go to the wall" and disappear, then "re-appear" under a different name with no ties to the previous company. Although you're covered by FENSA, it makes it a right pain in the arse for any warranty claims you might have further down the line

And Everest have a half price sale just started as well. We supply their units too

 

[Sideboard]

I worked for that company with the name of a mountain. They would have that much work that they would employ anyone. young lads would have half a day training. I also fitted soffits and facias for them. I called the office one afternoon to tell them there was a rotten joist which needed replacing, and would have to spend another morning on the job. their reply was "your on another job tomorrow, nail the board to it" you dont always get what you pay for.

 

[PD]

Aah the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro glazing company....
I agree in this day and age you do not get what you pay for. Every company is squeezing out its profit margin. Blame Maggie Thatcher for that ideal.

 

[pittsy]

standard window around £250/300 , large window around £400/600 , french doors , around £600/1000, so off hand should be around £4000/6000 max unless you have massive windows

 

[doyley]

We got ours done about 9 years ago, a local company we had seen doing a couple of jobs in the road. We spoke to the householders who were very positive and so we went for it. No problems except the front door needed adjusting at one point, which was done quickly and efficiently. Ask around locally and see if you get some good recommendations, This business about subcontracting would make me keep away from the big names. A local firm which has been in business for some years about which there are positive reports is the way I wouild go.

 

[DirtyCaner]

Thanks for the further input/thoughts guys.

I have cancelled the order with Penicuik and am in the process of getting further quotes. It's a lot of money to spend and I'm not going to commit to somethign unless I'm sure.

Thanks again,

DirtyC

 

[bradford1982]

Hi there,

I work for a glazing company in west yorkshire which manufacture aluminium windows/doors and buy in to fit upvc and i've bought and fit upvc for family and myself.

STAY AWAY from Everest, Kingfisher, Northern Trade etc etc anyone who has to advertise till they are blue in the face aren't worth their weight in pvc no follow up no aftercare no care taken in your home i.e the school we fit our doors in the other week had kingfisher to do their windows 8 guys turned up and put in 23 windows in one day very good you may say well you have to look at the negative too it also took 4 men of the plastering division of said company 1 week to make good inside and then there's the decorating............. :wha:

Anyway about what you've been quoted, £250 per window glazed depending on size maybe up to £400-£500 at most also depending on design of window too. Dual colour adds a bit to the price of a window too thats why it seems a little dear per window. Rockdoor around £900 depending on slab design maybe up to £1200 plus £150-£200 for side window.

So that's (around) for arguements sake £250x5, £400X3, £1000X1, £175x1 = £3625 plus fitting 2 men (£240) x 3 days = £720

All together thats £4345 most probably rounded to £4500.

Most places these days should be charging around this mark if they want the job and are competitive in the market in this climate otherwise they are just trying to con you out of money if it's above the £5500 to £6000 mark. If you want to send the actual sizes to my email I could quote it properly for you so you have a guide to go by, let me know.

Hope this helps

Just to add our company has been around 22 years its only small but provides excellent customer service and we always go the extra mile word of mouth has kept us afloat it takes a long time to get a good name but doesnt take long to lose it if cant back your product up, ask around for a good local company they are the ones that will look after you.

Bradford1982

 

[dennisking]

As has been mentioned we sat through hours of phony phone calls, also "I can do it at this price but only if you sign tonight". In the end as they walked through the door I would say, I don't want the ********, the phony phone call or the price dropping on certain conditions. I will not be signing tonight so do the measuring and give me your best price then I will let you know when I've seen the others. It worked for me.

 

[Duncs]

I would check around. Get a few quotes, and imo avoid Everest. They are not the best, but expensive. We had our downstairs windows (2 x large) and front door replaced by a reputable local company, about £2000.

I used to work for Everest and they had to prove that their products had a significant advantage over their competitors by the ASA after there were some complaints about their "Fit the best..." slogan. So, while drastically over priced, they ARE the best.

By the way, you'll never see a price list produced by Everest, they don't have one, the reps are issued with a price guide and any amount over that guide price is split between the rep and the regional manager (at least it was when I worked there).

 

[Sideboard]

I used to work for Everest and they had to prove that their products had a significant advantage over their competitors by the ASA after there were some complaints about their "Fit the best..." slogan. So, while drastically over priced, they ARE the best.

I also worked for them. No price list says only one thing to me. They will give you a price on how wealthy and maybe how gullible you are. And yes maybe their products are the best, but the guys that fit them are definitely not. We used to get 15% of the price the customer paid for the job, they dropped it to 10%. This can have only one resulting affect. The fitters would now have less time to complete. Corners get cut. Good fitters move on to other companies leaving room for inexperienced who will cut any corner to make a living.

 

[andylanc1975]

As has been mentioned we sat through hours of phony phone calls, also "I can do it at this price but only if you sign tonight". In the end as they walked through the door I would say, I don't want the ********, the phony phone call or the price dropping on certain conditions. I will not be signing tonight so do the measuring and give me your best price then I will let you know when I've seen the others. It worked for me.

+1 from me, I've done that to a couple of conservatory and glazing companies and each time the salesman cancelled his order for a brew, gave us a price.

 

[EskiBrew]

I've heard that Everest have gone very much downhill and are not not worth touching. When we had windows made for our extension, a local firm made them and we're happy with them - can't remember exact prices but your quote sounds too high :hmm:

 

[Russ146]

one tip to make sure is the window seals (the bits that hold the glass in place around the edge of the window) are on the INSIDE not outside as these are easy to prize out and let burglars in.

I used to install burglar alarms and one customers house had been striped by taking out the seals removing the glazing unit that they kindly laid out carefully so it could be replaced and then everything that fitted through the window was taken including rolled up carpets, the only things left were the sofa and bed!!

 

[Sideboard]

one tip to make sure is the window seals (the bits that hold the glass in place around the edge of the window) are on the INSIDE

TOP TIP there. I would also say if you already have these "glazed from the outside" frames, you could get someone to remove the strips and put a bead of silicon around glass to help deter this, but keep the silicone away from the beads so they can be removed again
. Ok, your basically bonding in your glass to the frame, but the only reason you would want to take it out is if it was broken. I would definitely do it to the downstairs anyway.