double glazed window markup

[sm_jamieson]

Folks, I got some quotes for a PVCu double glazed window, 900mm wide, 1350mm high, upper 350mm section arched, lower 1000mm section split vertically with opening light on one side. Quotes were minimum 800 quid (several over 1000 - but those included fitting). Several of them said "oh, an arched window, , that'll be expensive, etc." So I thought take out the middle man. A PVCu frame to my spec, good fittings etc, 162+VAT, glass around 80quid+VAT. So I save hundreds. Thats a massive markup for the window "assemblers" - just putting the glass in is all they do. I think I'll always order frame/glass separate in the future - sometimes you even have to take out the glass to fit it ! How mad is that ? Simon.

[Stuart Noble]

Is that including delivery? Then there's the £100 or so you'll have to pay your council to come and certify one window.

[sm_jamieson]

Not including delivery no. But the window is part of a full plans extension, so covered by that anyway. If it was a stand-alone window fitting, certainly the cost of certification should be considered, if indeed you care about that ! Simon.

[Stuart Noble]

I think it's the delivery and certification that kills it for d-i-y, especially if it's only a couple of windows.

[Lobster]

That all sounds very odd. When I order uPVC windows from my local fabricator, I know from the price I get it would make no difference whether I ordered the glass and frame together or separately. Never ordered an arch though.

What sort of places are you going to? (The ones I use make up the frames and sealed units from scratch on site, not just assemble them).

(And I've never fitted a window with the glass already in place - would hate to have to do that, for the weight, fragility and unwieldiness.)

David

[cucumber]

The ready made windows from B&Q or Wicks (can't remember which... maybe both) come with some rather dodgy looking plastic tabs to clip on the frame and screw on to opening leaving the glass in place during install. It doesn't look like it would be a lot of fun fitting one of those.

[TonyK]

Surely you have to take the unit out anyway to fix the frame? Saves a job if they come unfitted.

[nthng2snet]

SM jamieson . Are you getting the windows online and if so which company?

[Codswallop]

Tried

?

[sm_jamieson]

Just phoned out of yellow pages. I had to phone because the web estimaters did not cater for arches. It seemed as if they had to "send away" for the arch (don't know why, loads of front doors have them). For normal square windows, the price was not a lot more "assembled" than separate. The arch seemed to make the difference. Maybe I'll have to look a bit harder to find a local "fabricator". Simon.

[sm_jamieson]

The frame quote was from:

this purpose I was from a company whose name bore a strong resemblance to my own ! Back to this trade/retail netherworld. They will fax the glass spec to your glass supplier as well. Window glass was from some Nuneaton company - sealed unit prices all seemed about the same around here, although I had to find a company that put the georgian bar inserts inside the sealed unit. Cheers, Simon.

[sm_jamieson]

I fitted one of those from B&Q. The plastic tabs enable an OK fitting (3 tabs on either side), then you fix with foam. I was only fitting a smallish window so OK, but a large window, fitting with the glass would be tricky - need 2 people. However, its probably harder to distort the frame when fitting with the glass in. Simon.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Actually not a bad idea for a first time amateur fitter. Saves any chance of distorting the frame. They are only used to hold the frame in position while the foam etc sets.

[Huge]

Go and collect.

FENSA certificates are trivial to forge.

[manatbandq]

If you read the instructions it also tells you how to do it properly by drilling through the frame and into the wall.

Again, read the instructions, only the glass in opening panes is "permanently" fitted. The glass in non-opening frames has to be removed and fitted with the spacers and glazing tape, whichever way you attach the frames to the wall.

MBQ

[whisky-dave]

Is there any site where people post their experinces with double glazing suppliers and fitters and related info ? I've had a few quotes some seem to spend more time rubbishing other companies regardign them using recycled plastic and units that are easily for burglars to get through.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Not on the window I got from Screwfix. The foam, etc holds it in place anyway - there's no need for screws through the frame. Different matter with doors.