Protect yourself from pushy doorstep double glazing salesmen

Door-to-door home improvement salesmen have a bad reputation. In terms of popularity with the general public, they probably rank somewhere between traffic wardens and politicians.

Here at Home Improvement Quotes, we’ve been working for over a decade to help homeowners like you get the best of the dreaded cold-callers.

We do this in two ways – firstly, we supply you with free guide prices before you ever talk to a salesman, so you can be confident that you’re getting a good deal. Secondly, after you get a quote we’ll help you get in contact with up to three local or national home improvements companies, so you can compare a range of quotes and services, rather than just plumping for whichever one happens to knock on your door.

When salesmen do call, though, you want to protect yourself as much as possible, and that’s why we’ve put together these tips on getting the most from home improvement salespeople:

1 - Take the pressure off - Never be pressured into signing 'on the doorstep'. A genuine home improvement salesman will give you time to make a decision.

2 - Be patient - Even if you're tempted by special offers that have to be signed for on the day. Once you've signed a contract, you have limited cancellation rights.

3 - Your right to cancel - if you've signed a contract you later regret, then act fast. A contract is legally binding document with criteria in place to stop you breaking your end of the of the 'bargain'. Check The Consumer Protection Regulations 1987.

4 - Make a short-list - Comparing quotes is the most important part of the process - compare what different companies are offering - cheapest may not be best. Check their literature or website and look for companies that are members of local trade associations, which may offer their own guarantees.

5 - Preference services - If cold calling gets on your nerves, there are a number of preference services which will remove your phone number from circulation or address. Most local councils provide stickers for your home stating 'no cold callers' which may offer you additional peace of mind for vulnerable residents.

WindowQuoter is an online service where you enter your own approximate measurements and get a price in seconds. We're happy to call you and confirm your details and if you'd like to get your online quote confirmed by local vetted installers, then we can offer that service to you also, completely free of charge.

We'll even protect your 10% deposit if you go ahead with one of our recommended companies for the installation, independently of the installation companies own guarantee's.

Visit WindowQuoter today and see how much your double glazing, porch or conservatory installation will cost you.

Note: Many companies are now offering their own independent 'scrappage schemes' for double glazing, where replacing old windows with new energy efficient double glazing will earn you extra discounts. Don't forget to ask your installers if they're offering this.

Read more about protecting yourself from pushy door to door double glazing salesman by clicking here.

Welcome to Window Quoter - the Blog.

A warm welcome to WindowQuoter - the blog.

Developed by Price Engines Ltd over 10 years ago, WindowQuoter was the first website to offer homeowners instant online quotes for Double Glazing, Replacement Windows, Doors, Conservatories and Porches in upvc, wood or aluminium.

Since then we've added other home improvements to our online range of 'Quoter websites, keeping to our promise to offer homeowners instant online quotes, backed up by a nationwide network of vetted and approved home improvement companies.

Our online quotes are completely free, no obligation etc and no salesman will call - you do it all from the comfort of your own home.

If you do take up our offer of having your online quote verified by up to 3 local companies near to you based on quality and price, then you'll also benefit from:

* Only vetted and approved local companies
* The best price without haggling (since our companies know they'll be up against 2 other companies)
* All Quotes backed by our unique Deposit Protection scheme (click here to read more)
* Completely free service but you could save pounds (our recommended companies save on traditional marketing costs and pass those savings onto you.
* Unique feedback service - let companies (and us) know how they did.

We'll be using this blog to bring you the latest news and developments from the double glazing world.