📅 April 2026 · ⏱ 5 min read · 📍 Manchester · ✍️ Findfitter Team
The quick version: Sarah M. of Didsbury got quoted £7,800 for 8 windows and a composite front door by a national chain. Through Findfitter she got four alternative quotes. She chose a FENSA-registered local installer at £4,100 — same spec, same warranty, done in 3 days. Net saving: £3,700. This is her story in her own words.
The property
Sarah bought a 1930s semi-detached house in Didsbury in 2023. Eight single-glazed sash-style windows and a rotting wooden front door. Typical for the street — all the neighbours had replaced theirs years earlier. Heating bill was running at £180/month in winter. Condensation on every window each morning.
“By the second winter in the house I realised the old windows were costing me more than a new set would. I just didn’t know where to start finding a fitter I could trust.”
The first quote — and the shock
Sarah booked a free survey with a well-known national chain — the kind advertised heavily on TV. A salesperson came round on a Tuesday evening. The survey took 90 minutes. He was polite, measured everything, took photos.
Then came the price: £7,800 for 8 uPVC casement windows (A-rated) and a composite front door. Finance available at 9.9% APR over 5 years. “Sign tonight and we’ll knock off 10%.”
“It felt wrong. He wasn’t pushy exactly, but the ‘only tonight’ discount made me suspicious. Why would a fair price need a pressure tactic?”
She asked for the quote in writing and said she’d think about it. The salesperson reluctantly agreed, dropped off a two-page PDF the next morning with prominent red text: “This price expires 7 days from issue.”
Finding alternatives via Findfitter
Sarah googled *”compare double glazing quotes Manchester”* and found Findfitter in the search results. She submitted her postcode and 4 quick questions about the project — it took about 90 seconds.
Within 6 hours she had responses from four local FENSA-registered installers. All four offered free in-home surveys. She booked three for the following week.
The four competing quotes
| Installer | Quote | Material | Timeline | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National chain | £7,800 | A-rated uPVC, Veka frames | 8 weeks | 10 yrs IB |
| Local installer 1 | £5,400 | A-rated uPVC, Rehau frames | 4 weeks | 10 yrs IB |
| Local installer 2 | £4,100 | A-rated uPVC, Deceuninck frames | 3 weeks | 10 yrs IB |
| Local installer 3 | £4,850 | A+ uPVC, Eurocell frames | 5 weeks | 10 yrs IB |
| Local installer 4 | Declined (booked up) | — | — | — |
Sarah chose installer #2 (£4,100). She checked them on Google — 47 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. FENSA membership confirmed on the public register. Companies House: trading 11 years. Directors clean.
The install
Three weeks after signing the contract, the installers arrived on schedule with a two-person team. Floors covered with dust sheets. All 8 windows swapped in one day, door fitted the following morning. Third day was making-good — caulking, plastering, a small re-paint of the window sills. Old frames bagged and taken away.
“They were in and out in 3 days. The chain had quoted 8 weeks. I thought that meant the local guys would rush the job. They didn’t — it’s been 9 months now and everything’s perfect.”
The results — 9 months later
- £3,700 saved vs the national chain quote (47% cheaper for the same spec)
- Heating bill down 38% — from £180/mo to £112/mo in winter (based on Sarah’s British Gas statements)
- Condensation gone — no more morning wipe-down
- FENSA certificate received within 6 working days of install completion
- No defects at 9-month check-in
- Expected payback period: ~5 years based on current bill reduction
What we can learn from Sarah’s experience
- Always get multiple quotes. The spread between cheapest and most expensive for identical spec was £3,700 — equivalent to a family holiday.
- Local FENSA installers often match national chains on quality. The product brands (Rehau, Deceuninck) are often identical — only the markup differs.
- Pressure tactics are a red flag. Any legitimate installer honours their quote for 14-30 days.
- Check the installer’s FENSA registration yourself on fensa.org.uk before committing — don’t take their word for it.
- Heating bill savings compound. Sarah is saving £816/year — £3,700 install pays back in under 5 years.
💬 Sarah’s advice to other homeowners
“Just don’t accept the first quote. I nearly did. £3,700 was the difference between ‘expensive’ and ‘I wish I’d done it sooner’. The comparison took 10 minutes of my time.”
Sources & references
This article draws on data and guidance from the following authoritative UK sources:
- FENSA — Find an installer database — verified UK installer credentials and coverage data
- Energy Saving Trust — windows advice — energy savings and insulation data for UK homes
- British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) — window energy rating methodology (A++ to E)
- Ofgem — UK energy regulator — current UK energy price data for bill savings calculations
- Office for National Statistics — price indices — UK construction and materials price trends
- GOV.UK — ECO4 scheme — eligibility for subsidised home energy-efficiency upgrades
Quote any home improvement
"Straightforward and no pressure. Picked the FENSA-registered installer with the 10-year warranty."
"Was worried about pushy salespeople. Found a FENSA fitter 3 miles away who was honest about pricing."
"Compared 4 quotes in 10 minutes. Saved £2,300 vs the first quote."