What should a window or door quote include?

It should be an itemised specification, not a total figure

A single line saying 'supply and fit windows, total price £X' does not tell you much. A proper quote breaks the job down by window or door, room by room, with the style, size and material named for each one. That way you can see exactly what you are being charged for at each opening, and compare it fairly against another company's quote for the same rooms.

If a quote arrives as one lump sum with no breakdown, it is reasonable to ask for it to be itemised before you sign anything.

Frame and glazing detail

This is the core of the specification and where most of the genuine cost difference between quotes actually sits, so every item below should be named rather than assumed.

• Frame material, for example uPVC, aluminium or timber, and the profile or system name where relevant
• Colour and finish, inside and outside if these differ
• Glazing specification, including whether it is double or triple glazed and the type of gas fill
• Any special glass, such as laminated safety glass, obscure glass for a bathroom, or acoustic glass
• The U-value or energy rating being supplied, where this has been discussed

Hardware and security fittings

Handles, hinges, locking cylinders and any trickle vents should be named on the quote, not left as an assumption. This matters because hardware can vary a lot in quality, and a like for like comparison between two quotes is only meaningful if the hardware is actually the same standard.

If security is a priority, the quote should state the locking standard being fitted, for example a multipoint lock and the cylinder type, so you know what you are getting rather than a generic mention of 'secure locking'.

Trims, sills and making good

The finishing work around a window or door often gets left out of a rough quote, but it affects both the look of the finished job and how long it takes. The quote should say what happens to external cills, trims and any brickwork reveals, and whether internal plaster or decoration around the frame will be made good as part of the price or left for you to arrange separately.

Ask specifically what happens to internal reveals and any redecoration, since this is one of the most common points of disagreement after a job is finished if it was never written down.

Waste removal

Removing the old windows or doors, the frames, glass and any rubble, should be included in the price and stated as such. A skip or disposal arrangement left vague on the quote can turn into an unexpected extra cost or an untidy site if it is not agreed in advance.

Guarantee and scheme registration

The guarantee is what protects you after the fitters have left, so it deserves the same attention as the price itself rather than a passing mention at the end of the conversation.

• The length and type of guarantee, for example an insurance backed guarantee that protects you if the installer stops trading
• Whether the work is registered with a competent person scheme such as CERTASS, which covers building regulations compliance for the installation
• What the guarantee actually covers, such as frames, glass units and hardware, and for how long each

Payment terms and timescales

A fair quote sets out the payment structure clearly, typically a deposit, a stage payment if relevant, and a final balance, along with when each is due. It should also give a realistic lead time from order to fitting, and how long the installation itself is expected to take on site.

Be wary of any quote that asks for a very large deposit or full payment upfront before work has started, and check what happens if there is a delay on either side.

Red flags to watch for

A quote with no company name, no address for correspondence, or pressure to sign the same day is worth treating with caution. So is a price with a large discount attached to signing immediately, since a fixed written price should stand on its own merits without artificial urgency.

We provide fixed written prices with the specification set out clearly, so there is nothing left to interpretation once you decide to go ahead.

Survey measurements and how they turn into a quote

A proper quote should follow a measured survey rather than a rough estimate given over the phone or from photographs. During the survey, the surveyor measures each opening, checks that frames are square, notes any structural issues such as a damaged lintel or a subsided sill, and records anything that will affect fitting, for example restricted access at the rear of a property or scaffolding needs on an upper floor.

Those measurements and site notes are what turn into the itemised specification on your quote. If a company gives you a firm price without ever measuring the openings, it is reasonable to ask how that figure was arrived at, since anything based on guesswork is more likely to change once work actually starts.

What should happen after you accept a quote

Once you accept a written quote, you should receive an order confirmation that repeats the specification agreed at survey stage, so there is a paper trail matching what was quoted to what gets manufactured and fitted. This document should also confirm the deposit taken, the balance due, and the expected lead time before fitting.

If anything changes between the order being placed and the fitting date, for example a change to colour or a hardware substitution due to stock, a reputable installer should tell you and get your agreement before proceeding, rather than fitting something different from what was originally specified.

Common questions

Should a quote include VAT?

A clear quote states whether the price includes VAT, so there is no confusion about the final figure you will be asked to pay.

Is a verbal quote enough to go ahead?

No, always get the specification and price in writing before agreeing to work, so there is a clear record of exactly what was agreed.

What if two quotes look very different in price?

Check the specification line by line first, since differences in glazing, hardware or making good often explain a price gap more than the installer's margin does.

Does a quote need to mention building regulations?

It should state whether the installation will be self certified under a competent person scheme such as CERTASS, which covers compliance without a separate council inspection.

How long should a written quote remain valid?

Most quotes state a validity period, often around thirty days, after which prices may need to be reviewed, so check the date on the document.

Should a quote be based on a measured survey?

Yes, a firm price should follow a proper survey of your openings, since a figure given without measurements is more likely to change once the work is actually under way.

What should I receive after accepting a quote?

You should get an order confirmation repeating the agreed specification, along with the deposit and balance amounts and an expected lead time before fitting.