Find a Tradesman

WINDOWS

Windows are not only functional, allowing natural light into your home, they are also an important part in creating the finished look and style of your dwelling place. Choosing the best installer is a vital part of ensuring you get high quality, beautiful windows that will enhance your home for years to come.

Today, we are going to take you through all the steps and issues that you need to consider when choosing the right window specialist for your home. These include:

  • Gathering basic information
  • Ensuring they are registered
  • Examining their credentials and experience
  • Investigate when they source their materials
  • Request itemized quotes from the tradesmen you are considering
  • Do not provide full payment up front
  • Don’t discount smaller firms

It is a good idea to learn some basic information about the ins and outs of windows before you begin getting quotes for your job. This knowledge will help you make an informed decision about who to choose to perform this work.

A great place to brush up on this area is the The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme website. Here you can learn about various types of windows, including UPVC windows.

FENSA and CERTASS are the two most well-known competent person schemes that cover window installation in the UK. In addition, installers can be with the Assure scheme and Stroma Certification.

You will want to be sure to choose an installer that is a part of one of these schemes, as they work with countless window specialists and are continually seeking to raise the professional standards among window specialists. In addition, working with installers who are members of such a scheme provides you, as a homeowner, legal protections if a mishap should occur.

It is very important to select a window installer who specializes in and has vast experience in the type of work that you want done. For instance, some tradesmen may specialize in working with repairing older original windows, but lack expertise in properly fitting and installing new window products.

Once you have narrowed your list of potential installers, ask to see some of the recent work they have performed. This will give you a good idea of the quality of their work, as you will be able to see it with your own eyes.

One of the advantages of using an established window installer is that they will have materials suppliers with whom they have trusting relationships with. Working closely with a trusted supplier means they are confident in the quality of the materials they are working with on each job.

Also, if a problem should arise, customer service should be able to provide an expedient solution. These personal working relationships tend to fare far better than purchasing your own windows online and then trying to find a tradesman to put them in.

It is a good idea to get at least three quotes for your window installation job and then compare their itemized costs for things like labor, materials, waste disposal and additional needs like scaffolding.

It is reasonable to be asked for a deposit in order for work to begin. Typically, this is 25% of the estimated job cost. The remainder of the payment should only be rendered once the work has been completed and you are able to thoroughly inspect the job that was done.

Many large double glazing firms are familiar names to you. They are able to devote a large amount of advertising and practice proactive door-to-door sales. However, bigger does not always mean better.

A small firm can offer very competitive rates and often give you the advantage of meeting and speaking with the person who is going to be doing the work on your home. Plus, smaller window installers won’t be using the high-pressure sales tactics and commission based rates that big firms do.

Doing your research to choose the best window installer for your needs will pay off in beautiful windows done right.