New window project checklist

A new-windows project has a lot of moving parts — measurements, materials, permissions, quotes, dates and paperwork. This checklist keeps them all in one place so you stay in control from start to finish.

Before you get quotes

• Count every window and note the room and rough size of each.
• List what is wrong with your current windows and rank the priority rooms.
• Decide your preferred style and material.
• Shortlist colours and finishes for inside and out.
• Set a rough budget and an ideal timescale.
• Check whether you are in a conservation area or have a listed property.

Getting these basics down is exactly how you steer clear of the traps that catch first-time buyers. A quick read on how to avoid the common new-window buyer mistakes is a useful sense-check before you invite anyone round.

While gathering and comparing quotes

• Get at least three quotes against the same written brief.
• Confirm each installer’s FENSA or CERTASS registration and guarantees.
• Check exactly what is included: frames, glass spec, fitting, making good, and rubbish removal.
• Ask about lead times and realistic fitting dates.
• Read the terms on deposits, payment stages and cancellation rights.

Requesting quotes against one clear brief is what makes them comparable. You can get window quotes direct from several local firms and line them up side by side.

Before fitting day

• Confirm the date, arrival time and expected duration in writing.
• Clear rooms, take down curtains and blinds, and protect floors.
• Arrange access, parking and a plan for pets and children.

On completion

• Test every window opens, closes and locks correctly.
• Inspect the seals, trims and making-good inside and out.
• Collect your guarantee, insurance-backed cover and compliance certificate.
• Keep all paperwork safe — you will need it when you sell.

Keep records for the future

Once the job is done, a little admin now saves hassle later. Store your guarantee, insurance-backed cover and FENSA or CERTASS certificate together with the installer’s contact details and your final invoice. Note the glass specification and any warranty registration you completed. When you eventually sell, a buyer’s solicitor will often ask for the window compliance certificate, and having it to hand keeps the sale moving smoothly.

Finally, register any manufacturer or installer warranty promptly — some require activation within a set period — and diarise a quick check of seals and drainage each year so small issues are caught early while everything is still under guarantee. Keeping this paperwork in one labelled folder, digital or paper, means you are never hunting for a certificate at the worst possible moment, and it makes any future claim or maintenance visit far more straightforward.