Is Your Double Glazing Quote Competitive?
When you shop online, you can use all kinds of tricks to check prices. You can use an app to compare shops in stores, or look at price comparison websites. Often, a quick Google search will reassure you that you’re paying a fair price for the goods.
With goods and services for the home, it’s not quite so simple. Pricing is down to a number of factors, so it’s rarely possible for a website to give a price estimate automatically. Often, you’ll need to invite a salesperson into your home and simply trust that your price is accurate.
Poor performance
The double glazing industry does not have the best reputation, largely due to cowboy sales staff and aggressive sales techniques. Sometimes, these staff will seemingly offer a large discount – a proven sales tactic, and one that often looks convincing. You may have been offered half price windows, or ‘buy one get one free’. There may have been another tactic: buy the windows at the front, and they throw in the ones at the back.
According to a Which? sample of double glazing prices, the discount offered by some big brands ran well into five figures. Which? also recommends that you get three quotes in order to compare the best on the market.
Like for like pricing
When comparing double glazing quotes, bear the basics in mind:
- Look at the U-value of the windows (also known as the energy efficiency rating); make sure they are the same
- Look at the style and shape of the windows, particularly the way they open. Are they sympathetic to your house and age of build?
- Check for double or triple glazing, depending on your own preferences
- Note the turnaround and installation time
- Check who’s going to install the windows: do they have proven experience?
- Carefully investigate any grants or discounts that the firm says you can get; Which found some firms were dishonest about government funding, which skewed their quotes
- Do a background check on the company and find out how long they’ve been around
- Check that the company is registered with relevant trade bodies, such as TrustMark and FENSA (we’re members of these)
We recommend looking further than the testimonials on the company’s website as not all reviews may be genuine (although our customer reviews are 100% genuine and we’re extremely proud of them too!)
Got doubts?
If you’re not sure the price you’ve been given is the very best on the market, call Hamilton’s for advice. We have been supplying and fitting glazing products for more than 40 years, and we know when our customers can economise, and when they should invest in the best.
If you have any doubts, don’t sign anything, and don’t pay a deposit. Tell the salesman you’ll sign the order later, then call us to check the price you’ve been given.
Windows and doors should be a joy to behold. They’re an investment that lasts for generations. Take your time to ensure that the price you get is the very best price on the market.
