How To Buy Double Glazing In The UK

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's 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. Present him with your requirements and use that as your bargaining chip. Get a specific quote against a specific set of requirements. Then you can be certain of getting like-for-like quotations. 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.

---

Designing Your Log Home: Tips To Keep You Out of Trouble

Nearly every log home is a custom design, whether you... Read More

Learning Interior Design

Learning interior design can be a simple or complicated task... Read More

The Science of Architecture

You're told to take vitamins, drink plenty of water, get... Read More

Easy Ways to Increase Your Houses Value

Before getting your house valuated think about the list below... Read More

Remodeling Online

Remodeling PlansMaking remodeling plans for a house helps you to... Read More

What Does It Take To Be An Interior Designer?

When trying to decide if Interior Design is right for... Read More

How to Design a Lighting Plan

You are doing a remodel and know that you want... Read More

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Theater ? Without Spending a Fortune

So you've scraped and saved, now you've finally gotten together... Read More

Window Shutters On A Budget

While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More

Kitchen Magic

It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of... Read More

What Are The Benefits of Radiant Heating: How Do They Compare With Other Heating Applications

Some of the benefits of radiant heatComfort: Let your bare... Read More

Replacement or Retrofit Style Frame? Which is Right for You?

Last week I told you how to measure for your... Read More

Improving Your Bottom Line Through Vastu

The design of your office and home has a great... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More

?5 Fast Ideas to Freshen the Look of your Room

"Company's coming and my place doesn't look right?"You know how... Read More

Why You Might Need a Waterproofing Consultant

Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should... Read More

3 Great Reasons to Shop for Home Lighting Online

If you are a consumer who knows just what brand... Read More

The Four Major Types of Air Filters

Hygienic air is essential to human life, and in this... Read More

Planning Lightning

When you are choosing a color scheme for any room... Read More

Which Type of Radiant Floor Heating is Best For Me?

If you are looking to warm your floors with a... Read More

Use Ladders Safely

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year more... Read More

Things to Consider when Buying a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi Tub

We recently purchased a new Hot Tub and Gazebo from... Read More

Protecting Yourself from Miter Saw Hazards

A miter saw, also known as a "chop saw," is... Read More

Grandfather Clocks Bring a Sense of Awe?Theyre So Tall

Standing tall and big are the stately grandfather clocks. They... Read More

The Wireless Home

It was only a few years ago that Real Estate... Read More

The $27,000 Toilet Seat - Funny DIY Story

This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More

A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place

Tax season is over...The spring holidays have passed... Hopefully by... Read More

Home Furnishings and Shelving

Its spring time and that means we start working on... Read More

Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway

The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway... Read More

How Stained Glass Can Add Elegance To Your Home

If there is one way to throw a new light... Read More

Hand Stripping Furniture

Directions for HAND Stripping.Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles... Read More

Creating Dynamic Window Coverings Without Breaking the Budget

When creating dynamic window coverings, it's important to choose carefully,... Read More