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The window buying process, step by step

New windows are a big-ticket job you might only take on once a decade, so it pays to know the running order before you start. This is the whole window buying process from first quote to finished fit — in plain English, with no jargon and no surprises.

Start with a quote, not a sales visit

The old way to buy windows meant a long evening pitch and pressure to sign on the night. The modern process starts online. You tell us your postcode and confirm you own the home, and we match you with a vetted installer who covers your area for a free, no-obligation quote. Getting an indicative price first means you can compare like for like before anyone sets foot in your house — and you are under no pressure to book. It is worth reading up on the common problems new windows solve at this stage, so you know which issues in your home you actually want fixed.

The nine steps, in order

Every job we handle follows roughly the same path. Each step below has its own detailed guide — click through as you reach that stage.

1. Enquire and get matched. Answer the two questions on our form and we pass your details to an installer covering your postcode.
2. The window survey. A surveyor measures the openings precisely and confirms your options and a firm price.
3. Choosing colours and finishes. You pick frame colours, glass and hardware to suit your home.
4. Preparing your home. A short checklist gets rooms, access and pets ready before fitting day.
5. Installation day. Fitters remove the old units, fit the new ones and tidy up.
6. How long it takes. Typical timings per window and for a whole house.
7. Certificates and building regs. Your FENSA certificate and guarantee paperwork.
8. Aftercare and snagging. How to raise any small issues and what a good guarantee covers.
9. Old window disposal. What happens to your old frames and glass.

How long does the whole process take?

From your first enquiry to fitting day, most jobs run over three to six weeks. The quote and survey can happen within days; the wait after that is mainly for your windows to be made to measure, which is typically two to four weeks. Bespoke shapes, sculpted frames or heritage styles take a little longer. Installers have survey appointments in many areas this month, so the earliest step usually moves fast.

Picking the right installer

Price matters, but the fitter matters more — a mid-priced window fitted well will outlast a premium one fitted badly. Before you commit, it is worth vetting your installer first: check they register your work for building-regulations compliance, ask what guarantee is included and whether it is insurance-backed, and read genuine reviews. Our installation partner's work is covered by a written guarantee, and you can see what customers say on our reviews page. If you are weighing windows against other projects, a broader home improvement quote comparison can help you budget across the whole house.

What you'll need to decide

Before the survey it helps to have a rough idea of a few things: which rooms are the priority, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or a change of style, and your preferred frame colour. None of this is binding — the surveyor will talk you through the options — but coming prepared makes the visit quicker and your quote more accurate.

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