\ud83d\udcc5 April 2026 \u00b7 \u23f1 5 min read \u00b7 \ud83d\udccd Manchester \u00b7 \u270d\ufe0f Findfitter Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quick version<\/strong>: Sarah M. of Didsbury got quoted \u00a37,800 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 \u00a34,100 \u2014 same spec, same warranty, done in 3 days. Net saving: \u00a33,700. This is her story in her own words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2014 all the neighbours had replaced theirs years earlier. Heating bill was running at \u00a3180\/month in winter. Condensation on every window each morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Sarah booked a free survey with a well-known national chain \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n Then came the price: \u00a37,800<\/strong> 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%.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 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.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2014 it took about 90 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah chose installer #2 (\u00a34,100). She checked them on Google \u2014 47 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. FENSA membership confirmed on the public register. Companies House: trading 11 years. Directors clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2014 caulking, plastering, a small re-paint of the window sills. Old frames bagged and taken away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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 \u2014 it’s been 9 months now and everything’s perfect.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n “Just don’t accept the first quote. I nearly did. \u00a33,700 was the difference between ‘expensive’ and ‘I wish I’d done it sooner’. The comparison took 10 minutes of my time.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t Enter your postcode \u2014 4 FENSA-registered fitters respond within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\t\tThe property<\/h2>\n\n\n
The first quote \u2014 and the shock<\/h2>\n\n\n
Finding alternatives via Findfitter<\/h2>\n\n\n
The four competing quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Installer<\/th> Quote<\/th> Material<\/th> Timeline<\/th> Warranty<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n National chain<\/td> \u00a37,800<\/td> A-rated uPVC, Veka frames<\/td> 8 weeks<\/td> 10 yrs IB<\/td><\/tr>\n Local installer 1<\/td> \u00a35,400<\/td> A-rated uPVC, Rehau frames<\/td> 4 weeks<\/td> 10 yrs IB<\/td><\/tr>\n Local installer 2<\/td> \u00a34,100<\/td> A-rated uPVC, Deceuninck frames<\/td> 3 weeks<\/td> 10 yrs IB<\/td><\/tr>\n Local installer 3<\/td> \u00a34,850<\/td> A+ uPVC, Eurocell frames<\/td> 5 weeks<\/td> 10 yrs IB<\/td><\/tr>\n Local installer 4<\/td> Declined (booked up)<\/td> \u2014<\/td> \u2014<\/td> \u2014<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The install<\/h2>\n\n\n
The results \u2014 9 months later<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What we can learn from Sarah’s experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udcac Sarah’s advice to other homeowners<\/h3>\n\n\n
Save like Sarah \u2014 start your comparison<\/h3>\n\t\t