Ballpark figure for replacement door and window?

[Nndroid]

Apologies, it's not exactly DIY but I thought you would know best.

I need to replace a single-unit kitchen window, door and surrounding frames etc. They're rotten and falling to bits. For speed and ease, I've called Everest windows to come and give a quote on Weds morning but I would like to be forearmed. Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much it ought to cost? We're after a double-glazed door and window with wooden frames, as befits a traditional North London terraced house conversion. Any thoughts and suggestions are most welcome. Thankyou!

[Peter Crosland]

Just about the most expensive option you could have chosen. Cancel the appointment and find a small local company to do the job.

[Andrew Gabriel]

IRC, Everest quoted about 4 times the price I eventually paid a local installer. Above all, DONT SIGN ANYTHING DURING THE VISIT. You must get more quotes first for comparison. Ask for recommendations from neighbours, or failing that, from a local independant glazing shop.

[Bob Watkinson]

You will also know the salesman as well as you know your closest relatives before they eventually leave. They will astonish you with how much they want.

[Chris Bacon]

[Andrew Gabriel]

That part really backfired on me. It wasn't the 4 times price I objected to at the time (didn't yet have other quotes to compare with). It was the thought that any of my money would be going to that salesman which really put me off using them.

[Nndroid]

This is all rather disturbing and I'm on the verge of cancelling the Everest guy. Am posting above to see if anyone can suggest a decent independent replacement windows person in North London. Thanks, NNDROID

[Chris Bacon]

You know what you want. Telephone them, if they don't do timber windows and doors, cancel the appointment. If they *do* what you want, get a price from them (as mentioned elsewhere, never an "if you buy now" price). Use this price, as well as other estimates, to help you decide who is to do get the business. For other estimates you could try a nearby glazier, or small builder, or even another "big" firm (say you're getting other estimates, but don't tell them whether you already have any, especially what prices you have!). Don't let anyone estimate for something substantially different from your requirements, i.e. if you want DG timber, don't even entertain a price for PVC, aluminium or single-glazing.

All this stuff about salesmen staying for hours when they're not wanted is guff. If you have the information you need, just say "Thanks, bye bye, we'll let you know" or words to that effect. If you're feeling at all vulnerable, make sure there's someone, or a couple of people that you know & trust with you as moral support.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Look up Yellow pages for a local one. If you know a local glazier ask for their recommendation.

[Ziggur]

Plus VAT?

--=20 Ziggur

"S'ils te mordent, mords-les"

[John Cartmell]

Make sure they're not the sort of people who say "Ooh that sounds nice!" to everything the sales-person says. ;-)

[Chris Bacon]

Of course, 'though you *may* get it VAT-free in a quiet time for cash.