UKC

We've been quoted quotes c£10k to replace a bay window with new wood sash window double glazing. Does this sound about right? This is in a traditional Glasgow tenement flat.

Anyone had similar done?

I've bought new sash windows before. Price does depend on size, quality etc but that does sound steep. I haven't used them but these people apparently reputable. 

https://www.sashandcase.com/

Just checked, was paying about £1400 per sash in 2014, so I guess about £5k for a full bay. Even after inflation £10k sounds a bit high but maybe not outrageous.

I had 4 hardwood sliding sash windows (double glazed glass used) fitted about 6 years ago at a cost of about £6.5K.  (1x 3over3 and 3x 3over6).  This seemed steep at the time as it was a lot more than having PVC ones but I don't regret it as they look great.  £10K sounds like a lot but its hard to compare bay windows to standard sliding sash.

Had mine done for 7k last year. Was hardwood sills and softwood rest I think. Hardwood throughout was more. Check what you're getting. 

I had a similar quote a few years ago for a full replacement of a large box bay window in West Yorkshire. That was for accoya and the  encapsulation of the original stained glass in the new units. In the end, I decided to have the originals restored instead which was somewhat cheaper but did mean retaining single glazing as the frames couldn't take double glazed glass units. 

Thanks. This is what the bay window looks like

Sounds about right, building costs have definitely gone up and we paid £3k in 15 years ago after extensive searching.

On the point of windows, another later traditional window replacement left us buying insurance when we left the house as the company were not FENSA registered - all they did was make windows, so we didn't think about it at the time. 

That is quite a lot of window!  4 sashes so may be £10k is about right but still worth asking around I'd say.

I can't comment on the price, but I can advise that hardwood windows are worth the extra cost IMO. I have bought both hard and soft wood windows and the hardwood ones are like new, 8 years later, the soft wood ones are showing signs of wear, paint cracking and ingress. 

I've worked in the industry for 30 years +. Looking at your image, the sections are broken up by stone pillars so in actual fact you're having 4 flat windows fitted with the internal joinery to make good on the inside. The scaffold will maybe be around £5-600 and the rest is a lot of profit. I'd want full hardwood windows treated in a spray booth with a very good guarantee if I was paying that kind of money.

Personally I'd say shop around, stay away from any companies on trustatader/ratemybuilder websites and try to get some real feedback from customers they have worked for, real testimonials or recommendations. The industry has had a VERY sudden downturn in demand due to the avalanche of custom after Covid calming right down. The lower - mid end of the sector have been hit quite quickly over the last 2 months with the top end luxury part of the market reporting stable sales as downturns don't tend to affect the spending of the rich so much.

I'd say either wait a while until that part of the market feels the pinch and offers better rates or ship me in and I'll do it for £9999!

What's wrong with the ones you have, are they rotten, draughty, stuck, or is it just to get double glazing?

You can get standard* sealed units down to 14mm thickness, likely to necessitate some modification but unless they're extensively rotten it's probably worth modifying and refreshing what you have vs buying new especially given today's timber prices. I'd find a carpenter/cabinet maker or specialist window restorer, see what they think.

New sealed units for that lot will leave you change from £1k, that potentially leaves a lot of budget for restoration and modification.

*as opposed to exotic vacuum 'filled' things.

Looks like a scaffold or cherry-picker job?

jk

Well, yeah, rotten. The pic is of a neighbouring flat. One of our upper sash frames actually broke apart when the internal sash cord snapped. There's a fair bit of framing that would need replacing.

My mates run https://sashandcasesolutions.com/

Not sure if they cover Glasgow but you could always ask for a quote. They can do repairs and refurbs too if the windows are serviceable. 

Might be worth giving them a shout. 

Upgrading existing timber windows with new double glazed units rarely work as the movement of old windows will break down the seals quite quickly and mist up. My unit supplier won't guarantee new units going into old wooden windows and I won't take those jobs on.

Hi. I live in London and have just a quote for new timber (acoya) sash bay windows for £6500. It is a very well regarded company who work a lot in our area and have a long waiting list.   I would presume London building costs are the highest in the country. Based on that I would say your quote is very high. Incidentally we had a quote for plastic ones for £3000. They look just the same!

I would recommend it if you can get them in hardwood. Apart from lasting longer I think the wood remains more stable than pine over time so you won’t get so much warping or swelling.

We had 5 windows done about 7 years ago, roughly £1K each in sapele. Smaller than yours though, more cottage style. They look great and the high standard glazing with all the bells and whistles makes them efficient as well.

Just tell them juan-baw sent you?

They don't even give me mates rates so doubt I'd get a discount for some random from the internet 😂

I was just chuckling to myself at the thought of phoning up a stranger for a quote and throwing in your humerous username 😁

Sound about right. Careful with the Provence of the hardwoid( softwood is a waste of time imho).

but have you checked out modern pvc? There are better designs now which fit flush 

just having are Edwardian hardwood frames replaced and we have gone with ove double glazed units. Otherwise would have costs us £5O k plus with hardwood units. 

Replaced two wooden sash windows (conservation area/listed) at about £2k each + vat by Ventrolla in 2021. They are 1.1m by 2.2m. Massive difference in heat and noise through.