The checklist

What a Window Quote Should Include

A good quote leaves nothing to assume. It names the product, the price, the terms and the tidy-up — in writing, before anyone lifts a screwdriver. Here is the full checklist of what a complete window quote should spell out, and what a thin one tends to leave off.

The difference between a fair quote and a padded one rarely shows up in the headline number. It shows up in the detail — or the absence of it. When a quote itemises exactly what you are buying, you can compare it against another quote honestly. When it gives you nothing but a total, you are trusting the salesperson to have included everything you assumed. Use the checklist below to make sure the quotes you gather are actually comparable.

The product specification

This is the heart of the quote. Vague wording here is the single biggest reason two prices differ, so it should be precise:

• Frame material and profile — uPVC, timber, aluminium or composite, and the specific profile system, since these vary in quality and price.
• Glass specification — double or triple glazing, the gap between panes, any argon fill, low-emissivity coatings and the type of spacer bar.
• Window Energy Rating — the WER band (for example A or A+) or the U-value in W/m²K, so the thermal performance is measurable rather than described as “energy efficient”.
• Style, count and sizes — how many windows, in which rooms, and their opening styles (casement, sash, tilt-and-turn), plus the hardware finish.

If any of these lines are missing, that is your first question for the installer. Our jargon glossary explains what each spec actually means, so you can tell a meaningful line from a marketing one.

The price, in full

A quote should make the money unambiguous. Look for:

• A clear total that states whether it includes VAT.
• Any deposit required, and the payment stages.
• If finance is offered, the representative APR and the total amount payable — not just a monthly figure.
• How long the price is held for, which we cover in how long a window quote lasts.

The work around the windows

Fitting windows is not just about the units themselves. A complete quote states who handles the surrounding work, so it does not reappear as an extra:

• Removal and disposal of the old frames and glass.
• Making good — the plaster, render, sills and finishes disturbed during fitting.
• Access equipment such as scaffolding or a tower for upper floors.
• Trickle vents where required by building regulations.

These items are where surprise charges tend to live. Our chapter on hidden costs in window quotes goes deeper into surfacing them early.

Guarantees, certification and terms

Finally, the paperwork that protects you after the fitters have left:

• The guarantee length and exactly what it covers — frames, sealed units, hardware and workmanship can differ.
• Whether it is insurance-backed, so it stands even if the installer ceases trading.
• Confirmation of FENSA or Certass registration (or building control sign-off), which is a legal requirement for replacement windows in England and Wales.
• The survey terms — a firm quote usually follows a measured technical survey, so it should say whether the figure is final or subject to survey.

Once you have a quote that covers all of the above, you are ready to compare it properly. The next step is to read the document in order — walk through it with our anatomy of a double glazing quote, and return to the complete window quote guide for the wider picture. When you are gathering numbers, you can compare quotes from different firms, or go direct for a faster quote, and read our ranked verdicts on window materials if the frame choice is still open.

Common questions