How to separate quotes from 2 window manufacturers?

[Grebo]

Hi all,

I've had a couple of quotes from 2 suppliers to replace the 2 bay windows in my house.

The quotes are within 10% of each other and the specifications are very similar (pre finished white frames, leaded glass, etc) except for one thing, the type of wood used in the frames.

My queries are ;
1. Has anybody had any experience of these companies?
2. Can you recommend anybody else that provides the complete service for a house in South London?
3. What are the pros/cons of softwood heartwood versus Scandinavian redwood for window frames.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Grebo

Welcome to the forum.

You've been caught by our spamulator as it was your first post.

The suppliers are : http://www.timberwindows.co.uk and http://www.spstimberwindows.co.uk

Cheers
Neil

 

[RogerS]

Hi welcome to the forum.

Aesthetically I prefer the look of the latter (spstimber) especially if the windows are to match existing ones in the building. The first suppliers windows look more like uPVC ( :evil: ) in terms of style.

Is there much difference in price?

Do they both remove the old windows etc from site?

 

[dedee]

Grebo Welcome,

Is it possible that both firms are using differemt terms to describe the same wood type as Scandivian Redwood is a softwood. I'd be inclined to ask eaxactly what they mean by softwood heartwood.

Andy

 

[Grebo]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I have been lurking a little while, but 1st post and I get modded. :shock: Is that a record? (I'm sure I read that sticky about posts...)

The quotes came in at £12.8k and £11.9k for ground and 1st floor bay windows. (Is that expensive or simply the cost of living in London?) They both provide a cradle-to-grave service in that they manufacture, install and dispose of the old windows plus refinish both internally and externally. Both use Sikkens paint for the finish.

As Dedee suggested, I'll enquire furthur as to what softwood heartwood tw uses, plus follow up on previous customers. But it's getting close to being a coin toss.

I like the comment about uPVC. I wouldn't want to pay over twice the price for uPVC reproductions!

 

[RogerS]

You could also ask to speak to existing customers maybe? Or if you can go along and take a look at the windows themselves.

 

[Adam]

I have been lurking a little while, but 1st post and I get modded. :shock: Is that a record?

We have a spam filter which catches all links in first posts. Although annoying for the genuine members, it does catch a tremendous number of spam-members which join up and post links to porn/share trading/viagra etc

It was implemented as the spammers had changed tactics and started including pictures in their postings, and this is a family friendly forum.

Regards,

Adam

 

[Jake]

Try these guys too, I've never used them, but I've seen their windows and they are nicely done. Some low end wood d-g sashes are really nasty - really clumsy profiles and so on.

http://www.box-sash.co.uk/