Aunty e Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I don't want to, but I have to have the large patio door replaced (stupid man with big fat sausage fingers broke it being 'manly'). I've so far had a rubbish experience with the companies I've contacted, having specifically asked for a rough estimate via email, they have of course all called me. I don't want to have twenty companies come by to give a quote, so could anyone who has used a firm in the south east and found them good tell me, and I shall ask them to come round and quote. NONE of my friends have had double glazing (the perils of early home ownership), and I'm getting to the point where I'm not even answering my phone anymore because I don't want to be rude and tell them to go away, but I don't want the whole world traipsing through my house giving quotes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Good luck with the search for a good double glazing company I asked the lady further up the road who she had used, as they seemed to have done a really good job. I think she has now got over the shock of a total stranger knocking on her door, asking her about her windows karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Ahem, we own a reliable Double Glazing co in the South East, but you are a little too far out of our area Aunty e You need someone like us - family run (Hubby fits, his Dad sells & quotes) & we work purely from recommendation We are booked up now for months & months................ I will ask The Hubby to see if he knows of anyone down your way who might suit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I have to agree Sarah, when we had ours done it was my cousin who did it He has now sold up to one of his fitters I don't think I would ever have gone with one of the big companies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Our builder did ours. (Wooden framed). They are very good, but they weren't cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I also need to get some double-glazing done, Aunty E, so I am interested in the responses you get! (and I'm not a million miles away from you). I have got the name of a company from my next-door neighbour - they had their windows done last year and they look really good, and they recommended them. Unfortunately the name is on a bit of paper somewhere in the huge pile of filing that I keep meaning to do every weekend , but when I track it down, I will let you know - they are a family firm, and based somewhere in Manor Park. Could you ask any of your neighbours for recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 None of my neighbours own their properties - there are a lot of buy to lets in the area and the management companies aren't especially helpful. The council owned flats all had their double glazing redone by the council last year, but having seen how much they charged on my bill for 'works', I won't be using them. I've been looking for a family firm, but can't seem to find any that operate in my area. It may be that the kind of firms I'm looking for don't advertise online, which is where I have been searching. Any suggestions would be gratefully received, I'm quite desperate to get this done before the winter moves in permanently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 To be honest, any good firm will be booked up now. Everyone is after having their jobs done before Christmas, & we certainly can't do it (unless we really,really like you ) The problem lies with decent firms not having to bother advertising as they work through word of mouth. I will see what Brian says - he may well know someone from London through his Masonic stuff too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 I really should have started looking when it first got broken, but we thought it might be alright, and it's such an expense. Of course, it isn't alright. It never is. And while I'm happy to fit bathrooms, and replace boiler pumps and the like, I can't do the whole FENSA thing, so I have to get someone to fit it. I'm not sure I'm really big enough anyway. Some company is coming to quote on saturday, because I couldn't get them off the phone. As they've insisted on coming round in the morning, I hope they're prepared for me in my PJs and dressing gown, with a herd of cats growling and a flock of chickens pecking the glass menacingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyLizzie Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I would agree with other people that yo should use a local company - have you got a yellow pages (or use yell.co.uk on line). We are in the wrong area otherwise I would recommend CR windows who did a super job - I didn't even have to clear up - they hoovered!!!! We had asked a couple of firms to quote and Coldseal was one of them - they quoted twice as much as the local company. Hope you find somw one good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Do you not have any insurance that will cover this sort of accident? We have accidental cover on our buildings insurance and this covers most things, although the downside is they may up your premium next year, but probably not as much as the cost of the replacement..... Good look in finding someone if your insurance doesnt cover it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 This is probably a bit late, Aunty E, but I finally tracked down the company that has been recommended to me! they are Manor Glazing, based in Romford Road, Manor Park, and the number is 020 8514 0066. I haven't used them myself, but my neighbour's windows look very good (even my brother, who is a builder, commented on them when he came to see my house!) and he says he's very happy with them. I will be using them next year. The money allocated for double-glazing is now going to be spent on some dental work ho hum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 I'm currently waiting for the nice man to tell me what day he's coming, hopefully next week, but I found a friendly local company, who quoted within my price range. One of the larger companies went through every cliche in the book when they came to quote - offering me higher prices for 'interest free credit' options. When I asked them for a cash price, they maintained they didn't have one, and then of course when pressed came up with something well under 50% of the original price they quoted for 'Five Years Interest Free Credit'. They also were very upset my husband wasn't there with me (in case my ickle female brain overheated perhaps) and tried the hard sell of offering me their lowest price only if I accepted now. I didn't feel particularly bad when I turned them down. I think one of the cats might have peeed on his shoe too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 glad you found someone to do it. I remember from last time I had double-glazing ... every single one has a 'Manager's Offer', which has to be accepted today or else. I told each one before they started that I was not going to make a decision that day, so amazingly when I said 'no, I told you I wouldn't be deciding now' they made a phone-call, and found that just for me, the Manager would extend his offer for 24 hours. I also got the 'what does your husband think' theme. To which I make my usual reply ... no idea, and as we've been divorced for fifteen years I shouldn't think he's interested in what double-glazing I choose! I'd go with the local company any time! Good luck, let us know how it goes as I'll be going for more than one quote, you might be able to recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I think one of the cats might have peeed on his shoe too. Well trained cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I've been pleasantly surpriswed by DG salesmen recently. I've had several round for a quote for new front door and porch windows and as I've spent hours in the past with them hogging the settee was determined not to do it this time. I wouldn't let any of them past the front door, allowed them to measure up then sent them on their way with instructions to post their quote I'm getting quite good at it now! Give'm their due, they were all very happy to do this - thought I'd struggle with them Only one tried the 'if you accept today you get a cheaper rate' tactic and was told in no uncertain terms to post his quote and take his chances like everyone else. Now I've picked the two cheapest I'll get on the phone to them and start a bidding war! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 You should do to salesmen what I did to the VAT inspection man. Put him on a hard chair in a small room with the heating way up. Soon gets rid of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 We are supposed to be having a convservatory, but I HATE salesmen/women of any kind and cannot abide them coming into my home and being all slimey... husband says I have to get over this and that I will not be getting my conservatory until we invite some salesman into our home for some quotes (shivers at the thought! ) Therefore me being me (and a Scorpio) I've stubbornly said "oh well - we wont have a conservatory then"!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
