This article will give you a guide of what to expect to pay when buying a new composite door. The example I can give you is from my experience with a local company in Frome, Somerset, UK. The aim is to give you a ball park, as there are many different types of both product and business model within the industry. The information is better than much of what I see online, which is unrealistic and both ends of the spectrum.
- Go Local – Always
- Get 2 Quotes – At least
- Get Recommendations
- “Sales” Aren’t Genuine
Why composite doors cost what they do?
A glazing company must do more than just buy and fit a window. Below is a breakdown of why a window costs more than just the frames.
Built into the cost you pay is:
- Materials- the window frame, glass, handles
- Indirect Materials – fixings, silicone, trim, add ons, cleaners
- Installation – a skilled fitter to install
- Survey – an experienced installer to measure for manufacture
- Storage and Checks – somewhere to keep the product and someone to check quality so nothing goes wrong on installation
- Marketing
- Sales – Salesperson and Materials – whether that is the installer or part of a company, time is required to provide a quotation
- After Sales – engineer visits, often servicing long guarantees – often 10 years
- Transport for both sales, fitting and service engineers
- Showroom – not in all cases but in some
- Bed debt/ dispute – sometimes things need to be resolved if there is a dispute
- Mistakes – they happen and have to be factored in to the overall business
A single person business may fill all of these roles but they need to be factored into the cost. A window plus labour for fitting alone won’t be sustainable. On the other hand, some companies including the nationals) have sliding commission structures which don’t accurately reflect the costs of a window at all.
The best strategy is to get several quotes, preferably from recommendations. Read how to avoid salespeople overcharging you to make bigger commission here.
I hope this article has helped you. If you would like a quotation within an hour of the BA11 postcode I would be happy to provide one. You can get in touch on the contact me page here