So, your old double-glazed windows have seen better days, and you’re interested in new double-glazed units with smarter frames and better energy efficiency. From uPVC casement windows to a bow and bay window, you have countless design and style options open to you. The industry surrounding replacement windows is well-known to be competitive and fast-paced, so you’ll need to be prepared and do your homework before you start talking to salespeople. Getting prepared is key.
It’s much easier to negotiate the best price for double glazing if you know how many windows you want and what features are essential. Being familiar with the different window styles also helps; otherwise, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the different options and technical specifications. You should also collect as many double glazed window quotes as possible. It’s also important to set your budget. Armed with all this information, negotiating a good price for new double-glazed windows suddenly becomes a lot easier.
Here are six top tips to help you negotiate the best price for double glazing and deal with different double glazing installers.
1. Know what double glazed windows you want
Whilst salespeople often have significant leeway to offer discounts and special offers, one of the biggest factors in determining how expensive your new double-glazed windows are will be the type and number of windows required.
You don’t need to be an expert in all the different window styles, types of glass, and energy efficiency technologies, but you should be clear on what you want and don’t want when it comes to window frames and styles.
And Don’t Be Led Astray
Here are some suggestions to help you focus on the details.
- How many new windows do you want? Do you want to change all the windows or save money and just do the ones on the front of the house?
- Do you want to upgrade your windows and doors at the same time to help with high energy bills? Is this just the front and back door, or will you include patio doors or French windows?
- What style of window or door frame do you like? Some online research will provide the key designs and styles for most properties, such as casement windows, sash windows, which are popular with period homes, and bow windows.
- Think about whether you want coloured uPVC windows, what trims you like, and whether you’ll opt for white uPVC or aluminium frames.
- Research different features to establish whether they suit your needs. Otherwise, you may end up paying for upgrades or features you don’t want or need.
- Think about whether you want to change how the windows open. Perhaps they open outwards, but you want tilt-and-turn or vertical sliding windows instead.
- Look at the different types of glazing – there are lots to choose from. With soaring energy costs, most people focus on energy efficiency to help lower energy bills, but you may also want to consider things like acoustic glass if you live in an area with a lot of external noise, or low e-glass, which has a special coating to reflect heat back into the room.
- Maintenance and care are other important considerations that are often overlooked. Some designs, like tilt-and-turn, are easier to clean. You can also opt for easy-clean hinges or self-cleaning glass, which is a good choice for windows on the first floor or conservatories.
- Security is a factor for most homeowners, whether that’s the arrival of young children and keeping them safe or all-round protection for your property against intruders.
Being familiar with glazing industry terms and the latest features will help you narrow down the right double-glazed windows for your home and save you from talking through a range of options that you know aren’t relevant. It’s easy to get side tracked on features that you don’t really need and which will probably end up costing you more money.
2. Shop around with different double glazing installers
Even if you’re happy with the price you’ve been quoted, we always recommend getting multiple quotes. Why?
Well, lots of factors impact the price of double-glazed windows, so double-glazing installers will charge different prices even for the same windows! Here are some of the reasons why.
National companies and household names benefit from economies of scale, paying less for their raw materials. Some of the larger double-glazing companies even manufacture the windows themselves. On the other hand, a smaller installer may value your custom more, and this might mean they are willing to take a smaller profit to ensure you buy from them.
Double glazing prices can vary greatly, so make sure you look at a few before you commit to one installer. Make sure you compare like with like so that each quote includes the materials, labour costs, and the charge to remove your old windows. If one quote seems cheaper than the others, it could be because some elements have been omitted.
Part of your comparison should include reputation and reliability; don’t focus solely on the price. Once you’ve identified an installer with a quote you want to accept, do some online research. There’ll be plenty of marketing material talking about their high standards and previous satisfied customers, but you should still thoroughly check out their reviews on trusted websites.
At Compare Companies, we work with the best installers in the industry who expect to compete for your business and understand you will be requesting quotes from multiple suppliers. It’s not uncommon for an installer to ask you the price of your best quote so they can beat it.
DID YOU KNOW? Heat is lost twice as quickly through single glazing as standard double glazing. Compare Quotes today to get the best price on new double-glazed windows
3. Ask for a discount up front
This one requires some courage! Most double glazing salespeople will have a tried and tested sales process, and this process is most successful when they’re in control. One of the best ways to flip this dynamic is to flex your muscles a bit, showing them that they’ll actually need to do some legwork to win your custom.
Take control of the situation and ask for a discount at the start of your negotiation. Discounts tend to work in different ways.
One installer may offer you a price reduction depending on how you pay for the windows and doors. For some double glazing companies, this might be if you agree to take out finance through them, or a discount might be triggered by a cash payment.
If you’ve identified the installer you want to work with, it can pay to wait until they’re running a special offer or seasonal discount on their window frames, or provide a free window if you buy more windows. Sometimes, there may be a special offer on energy-efficient glass.
Timing your project to coincide with this may save you a lot of money, enough to upgrade your window frames to timber windows or even triple glazing. The double glazing industry is very competitive, and installers always run incentives and promotions to attract new customers.
Whilst there’s no harm in asking up front for a discount, it’s worth bearing in mind that some companies may have policies that limit the discounts that salespeople can offer, so you may find their hands are tied when it comes to reducing the cost.
4. Don’t be afraid to walk away and get double glazing quotes from elsewhere
The best salespeople will make you feel compelled to sign on the dotted line immediately, and it’s easy to be swayed by what looks like a good deal. Always take time to consider different quotes and make sure you’re getting what you want and not paying for something you don’t need.
Don’t be afraid to challenge any unclear elements of a quote and ask the question, “Is this the final price I’ll pay?”. Some double glazing companies deliberately omit some costs to make their quote look more attractive, like the charge to dispose of your old windows. If you don’t feel comfortable with the price or any other element of the package you’re being offered, just walk away.
Whilst the salesperson will always want to make the sale as quickly as possible, always take time out to consider your options; you might have learned something about your chosen window style or a new type of glazing, which means you want to reconsider your options. If you need more time, then don’t hesitate to walk away as you’re under no obligation to buy. You may have to walk away from a few companies before you find one that can give you the price you want, along with quality double-glazed windows and high service standards. It will pay you back in the long run to wait for the perfect fit.
5. Agree to all terms in writing
Verbally agreeing a cheap price for your new double glazing is great; however, you may end up paying more if you don’t agree on what’s included up front. Double glazing quotes should always be in writing and include everything broken down into detail so you can see how the costs are divided up. This is also helpful if you want to bring the quote down a little so it’s in line with your budget. Never accept verbal double glazing quotes.
It’s also very beneficial to agree on an installation date in writing. If the company is running behind time, it’s easier to exert pressure, and you could also try to negotiate a discount or price reduction because of the delay.
Verbal agreements can be forgotten or disputed, but if something is written down, it’s easy to evidence, and you’ll avoid any nasty surprises later in the process.
6. Find a trusted double glazing supplier with Compare Companies
For the past 16 years, Compare Companies has been helping consumers around the UK get the best price on their home improvement projects, providing uPVC double glazed windows quotes, door quotes, and so much more.
Most of the double glazing companies we work with have been our partners for many years, and we’re proud to work with them.
If you’re looking to get new double-glazing installed, why not use our quote builder facility? Just fill in the simple form, and we’ll connect you with three of our professional double-glazing installers who provide new double-glazed windows in your local area. They’ll provide you with an online quote based on your information so you can compare prices and find a reputable double glazing company to complete your home improvement project.
We always respect your privacy and take data protection seriously, so these companies will only contact you to provide a quotation for replacement windows.
Head over to our Double Glazing quotes page to start your enquiries today.
Final Thoughts
Double glazing is one of the best investments homeowners can make for their property, but it’s an even better investment when you get a great price on your new windows. Shopping clever means getting multiple quotes and understanding the factors that hike up the costs of your new windows. Altering the style, choosing different window frames, or swapping the glass for a cheaper option on the windows at the back of the property, can all make a huge impact on how much you need to spend without necessarily compromising on the finished appearance of your house.
Just make sure you don’t get so caught up in the excitement of shopping for new uPVC windows that you forget to negotiate!
