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What changes the cost of new windows?
The Federation of Master Builders renovation guide of 5 June 2026 puts double glazing from £200 a window [S7], and a window fitter at £25 to £35 an hour [S7][S8]. Prices vary by the job and the location, and QuoteZila does not set prices.
Last reviewed:What a new windows quote is made of
New windows are made to measure, so a quote is really a list: each opening, its size, its frame, its glass, how it opens, and the work to take the old one out and fit the new one. For a house in Cheshire, the total also reflects how many windows are done at once, how many are upstairs, and what the installer finds when the old frames come out.
QuoteZila is starting in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach among the first towns, and anyone in the UK can post a job. The Federation of Master Builders renovation guide of 5 June 2026 puts double glazing from £200 a window, and a window fitter at £25 to £35 an hour [S7]. Its garage conversion guide of 29 July 2025, updated February 2026, lists the same hourly rate for a window fitter [S8]. Those lines are not a price for triple glazing, a bay, or a pane swap, and they are not a Cheshire price. Prices vary by the job and the location, and QuoteZila does not set prices.
The choices that move the price
Every window in a quote is a set of decisions. These are the ones that change the total most:
- Frame material. uPVC, timber, aluminium and composite frames differ in cost, appearance, maintenance and how long they take to make.
- Size and shape. A standard rectangle is simpler than a bay, a bow, an arched head or a very large pane.
- Opening style. Casement, tilt-and-turn, sliding sash and fixed panes are made and fitted differently.
- Glass. Double or triple glazing, toughened or laminated glass, obscure glass for bathrooms and acoustic glass all change the unit.
- Colour and finish. White frames are often the starting point. Colours, wood-effect finishes and dual colours can add time and cost.
- Hardware. Handles, locks, restrictors and trickle vents vary.
When you compare quotes, check that each installer has priced the same choices for the same windows. A tilt-and-turn window and a casement window are not the same product.
What changes a windows quote
| What changes | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Number of windows | More windows means more material and fitting time, but one visit for scaffolding or access | Is there a price per window and a total? |
| Upstairs windows | Work above ground level needs safe access [S6] | Is access equipment included? |
| Bay and bow windows | More frames, joints and sometimes a roof over the bay | Is the bay roof or support included? |
| Glass specification | Safety glass is needed in some places, and glazing must meet building regulations [S2] | Which glass is in each window, and why? |
| Removal of old frames | Old frames and glass need taking out and disposing of | Is removal and disposal included? |
| Making good | Plaster, sills and outside render may be disturbed | What making good inside and out is included? |
| Sign-off | Replacement glazing has to meet building regulations [S2] | How will the installation be certified? |
| VAT | A business must register for VAT when taxable turnover goes over £90,000 [S5] | Is VAT included in the total? |
Planning permission and building regulations
Planning and building regulations are different questions. The Planning Portal says you do not usually need planning permission to insert new windows and doors that are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house [S1]. It says listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and that a house in a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty may have extra restrictions [S1]. If any of those apply, ask the council before you order.
Building regulations apply to almost every replacement window. The Planning Portal says building regulations have applied to all replacement glazing since 1 April 2002, covering things such as heat loss, safety, air supply, ventilation and means of escape [S2]. It says an installer registered with a competent person scheme can do the work without involving local authority building control, while an unregistered installer or a home owner doing the work seeks approval from the building control body [S2].
The Planning Portal also says a replacement window should give at least the same potential for escape as the window it replaces [S2]. That matters for upstairs bedrooms. Ask the installer how the opening size compares with the old window.
GOV.UK: building regulations approval. QuoteZila is not affiliated with this organisation.
GOV.UK has a short page on when building regulations approval is needed.
Certificates and paperwork
FENSA is one of the competent person schemes window installers use. FENSA says its certificate confirms that a replacement window or door installation complies with building regulations, and that a certificate cannot be given retrospectively, because it must be given when the job is done by an approved installer [S3]. FENSA also says that without a certificate you may need to pay for a building control inspection [S3].
Ask each installer before you sign:
- Which scheme are they registered with?
- Who registers the installation, and when will you get the certificate?
- What manufacturer and installer warranties come with the windows, and what do they cover?
Keep the certificate and warranty papers together. You will need them if you sell the house.
Upstairs windows and safe access
Upstairs windows are fitted from inside, from ladders, from a tower or from scaffolding, depending on the window and the installer. HSE describes work at height as work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury if precautions were not taken [S6]. Do not try to remove an upstairs frame or reach a high window yourself to measure or prepare it.
Ask installers how they plan to reach each upstairs window, and whether any access equipment is in the price. If scaffolding is needed for other work, such as roofing or rendering, it may make sense to time the windows to match.
HSE: work at height. QuoteZila is not affiliated with this organisation.
Timber, sash and older houses
Older houses raise different questions. Timber sash windows in a period property may be repairable, may need specialist joinery, and may be covered by listed building or conservation area rules [S1]. Replacing them with a modern style may not be allowed, or may change the look of the house.
If you live in an older property, ask installers whether repair, draught-proofing or secondary glazing is an option alongside full replacement. A joiner who repairs sashes and an installer who supplies uPVC windows will quote for very different jobs, and both may be useful to hear from.
Lead times and the fitting day
Because windows are made to measure, there is usually a gap between the survey and the fitting day. The installer measures each opening, orders the frames and glass, and books the fitting once everything has arrived. Ask each installer how long that gap usually is, and what happens if a unit arrives damaged or the wrong size.
On the day, each old window comes out and the new one goes in, so rooms are open to the weather for a while. Ask how many windows they fit in a day, whether each opening is closed up before they leave, and what they do if it rains. Clear the sills, take down curtains and blinds, and move furniture away from the windows before the fitters arrive.
Ask about mess, too. Old frames and glass, dust from cutting out sealant, and any plaster that comes away all need clearing. Find out whether the quote includes taking everything away, and who fixes any damage to plaster, paintwork or outside render around the new frames.
Finally, ask how payments are staged. A deposit when you order, and the rest when the job is finished and the certificate is arranged, is easier to manage than a large payment up front.
Jobs you might post
These are examples, not taken from real job posts.
- "Eight uPVC windows in a semi-detached house, all about twenty years old. Would like like-for-like replacements in white."
- "Bay window at the front has a leaking roof and the frames are rotten. Looking for a replacement bay."
- "Three timber sash windows upstairs in a terraced house. Not sure whether to repair or replace."
List each window with rough sizes, say which are upstairs, and include photos from inside and outside. Mention if the house is listed, in a conservation area or a flat.
How to compare quotes for new windows
Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price and an estimate is a guess, suggests written quotes from at least three traders, and suggests not agreeing to a deposit above 25% [S4]. For windows, ask each installer to give:
- A list of every window with its size, style, frame and glass.
- Any safety glass, obscure glass or fire escape openings.
- Removal and disposal of the old frames.
- Access arrangements for upstairs windows.
- Making good inside and outside.
- How the work will be certified, and by which scheme.
- Lead time, fitting time and payment stages.
- Whether VAT is included.
Get quotes for new windows
QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1]. Up to five matched local businesses can send you a quote [QZ2].
Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.
Posting a job is not open yet
See glaziers for window and glass work, joiners for timber windows and repairs, and builders if an opening needs changing. The locksmith cost guide covers lock upgrades. For a single broken pane, see our window glass replacement guide.
Questions about new window prices
How much do new windows cost?
The Federation of Master Builders renovation guide of 5 June 2026 puts double glazing from £200 a window, and a window fitter at £25 to £35 an hour. Its garage conversion guide of 29 July 2025, updated February 2026, lists the same hourly rate for a window fitter. Prices vary by the job and the location, and QuoteZila does not set prices. Ask installers to list each window with its size, style and glass.
Do new windows need planning permission?
The Planning Portal says you do not usually need planning permission for new windows and doors of a similar appearance to those used when the house was built. Listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and a conservation area may have extra restrictions, so check with the council.
Do replacement windows need building regulations approval?
The Planning Portal says building regulations have applied to all replacement glazing since 1 April 2002. An installer registered with a competent person scheme can do the work without involving local authority building control. Otherwise, approval is sought from the building control body.
What is a FENSA certificate?
FENSA says its certificate confirms that a replacement window or door installation complies with building regulations, and that a certificate cannot be given retrospectively. Ask before you sign how your installation will be certified.
What happens if my installer is not registered with a scheme?
The Planning Portal says that if you use an unregistered installer, or do the work yourself, approval is sought from the building control body. That can be the local authority or a registered building control approver. Ask who will arrange it.
How much deposit should I pay for new windows?
Citizens Advice suggests keeping any deposit as low as possible and not agreeing to more than 25%, and getting a receipt. Windows are usually made to order, so ask what the deposit pays for.
Does QuoteZila check the businesses?
No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.
This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.
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- Patio Door Replacement: Quote Lines to Ask. Replacing a patio door in Cheshire means a sliding frame in a named opening. Ask about the rollers, the cill, the glass and who certifies the work.
- Resealing Windows: What to Compare. What changes a window reseal quote: a draught at the frame, mist between the panes, or a new glass unit. This guide prints no price.
Sources
- QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and jobs-for-tradesmen copy.
- QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ and app README.
- S1: Planning permission: doors and windows, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/
- S2: Building regulations: doors and windows, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/
- S3: Homeowners, FENSA. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.fensa.org.uk/homeowners
- S4: Before you get work done on your home, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/
- S5: Register for VAT, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat
- S6: Work at height: frequently asked questions, HSE. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/faqs.htm
- S7: How much does a house renovation cost?, Federation of Master Builders. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/how-much-does-a-house-renovation-cost.html
- S8: Garage conversion costs UK, Federation of Master Builders. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/garage-conversion-costs-uk.html