Questions to ask a window fitter

The right questions turn a sales pitch into a proper conversation. They reveal how a fitter actually works, what you are really paying for, and whether the guarantee is worth the paper it is printed on. Take this list to every appointment.

About the company and its credentials

Ask who you are actually dealing with. Are the fitters employed by the company or subcontracted? Which scheme is the firm registered with — FENSA, CERTASS, TrustMark — and can they show current proof? How long have they traded locally, and can they point you to recent jobs nearby? A fitter comfortable with these questions is usually one with nothing to hide.

About the windows themselves

Get specific about what is going in. What frame material and profile are you getting, and in what colour and finish? What is the glass specification, including the energy rating and whether it is toughened where regulations require? How many opening lights are included, and what locks and hardware come as standard? Small differences here can swing both price and performance, so pin them down before you compare quotes.

About the fitting and the site

Installation quality is where quotes quietly differ. Ask how long the job will take, whether they will remove and dispose of the old units, and how they will make good around the new frames. Will they fit trickle vents, and how do they handle plastering or decorating where the reveal is disturbed? Ask what happens if bad weather or an unexpected snag delays the work. The answers tell you how organised and considerate the team really is.

About guarantees, payment and aftercare

Finally, protect yourself. What guarantee comes with the windows and the fitting, and is it insurance-backed so it survives even if the company does not? How is your deposit protected, and what is the payment schedule? If a payment plan is offered, ask for the detail in writing and remember that any contribution options are subject to eligibility and a home survey — understanding the ways to spread the cost of new windows in advance helps you judge whether a plan is fair. It also pays to walk through the quote process step by step so you know which questions belong at which stage.

Note the answers, not just the impression

It is easy to leave an appointment with a warm feeling and forget the detail. Write down the key answers as you go, or straight afterwards, so you can compare fitters on facts rather than charm. Pay attention to how a fitter responds when you push for specifics: a confident professional welcomes the questions and answers plainly, while someone who deflects, over-promises or bristles is telling you something too. The way a company handles being questioned before you have paid a penny is a fair preview of how they will handle a problem once you have.