Mistakes we made while buying windows and why HowMuch4 Windows was born

Suppose you're relaxing in your home on a particular windy evening, and you feel the breeze of cold air coming through your windows despite them being firmly shut. Besides, the condensation on the glass tells its own story. “Right," you think, "time to get new windows.

The situation was something similar for us. However, what should have been a straightforward window replacement process turned into months of confusion, conflicting advice, and quotes that made absolutely no sense. And we certainly didn't anticipate feeling more lost after speaking to "experts" than we did before we started.

We made mistakes when we bought our windows. But here's the thing, we learned from every single mistake and the merger of all those lessons gave birth to something crucial.

An Innocent Start to Window Replacement Journey

Like any sensible homeowner, we did our homework first. It included researching online, doing a few Google searches, filling in a few "Get a Quote" forms on different websites, and sitting back expecting a civilised process of comparing options.

Within days, our phone was constantly ringing from companies eager to get our new window installation completed as soon as possible. Many of them were calling, emailing, and texting, with a few of them following up multiple times a day. Some were pushy while others were outrightly rude.

It felt as if we'd gone from quietly researching windows to feeling like we were under siege from an army of eager sales teams. And this wasn't just our reality, but every individual who sets out to buy new windows for his home.

The ‘Free Quote’ Confusion

The sea of ‘free quotes’ were all over the place in no time. Company A quoted £12,000 for our three-bedroom semi. Company B came in at £6,500 for what seemed like the same job. Company C insisted we couldn't possibly do it properly for less than £15,000 and would need to upgrade our window sills while we were at it.

One quote was so expensive we wondered if they were installing windows made from actual gold. Another was so cheap we genuinely worried they'd turn up with some dodgy glass and a tube of superglue.

The middle-ground quotes weren't much help either. By the time we'd sat through five different sales presentations, each claiming their company was superior to all the others, we were more confused than when we started.

And this is not what we had signed up for. Nor is it desirable by any home owner looking to upgrade their home windows.

Lost in Endless Sales Conversations

Every sales visit became an exercise in pretending we understood what was being said. One company insisted we absolutely needed safety glass in the bathroom because of building regulations. Another said standard glass was perfectly fine. A third suggested laminated glass for security reasons we hadn't even considered.

Who was right? Who was taking us for mugs? We hadn't a clue.

What should have been a straightforward home improvement process turned into a part-time job. Hours spent reading brochures full of marketing waffle, watching promotional videos that told us everything except what we actually needed to know, and sitting through free sales quotes that felt more like high-pressure sales pitches than helpful consultations.

Still, no one could give us straight answers to basic questions, like, Why did one company say we needed scaffolding when another didn't? What's the real difference between "standard" and "premium" glass? Why were quotes so wildly different for what seemed like identical windows?

The Eureka Moment Came

After weeks of this cycle, one fine day we sat around our living room table thinking, if we, as reasonably intelligent people who'd done our research, were this confused, how many other homeowners were going through exactly the same nightmare?

That’s where the idea of ‘how much for’ was born. Someone should be there to explain what window replacement things actually cost and why, without any sales pressure and confusing jargon.

We Learnt the Hard Way. But You Don’t Have To

Based on our experience, we didn't want to create another window company. We wanted to build the service we could have access to when we were drowning in quotes and conflicting advice. Just honest, straightforward, accurate information that helps you understand what affects the cost of windows and make sense of the whole process in plain, simple language.

What if someone could explain upfront why window prices vary so much? Things like:

• Why ground floor windows cost less than upstairs ones (scaffolding, access issues)?
• When you actually need safety glass versus when it's just nice-to-have?
• How your house type affects the job (Victorian terrace versus modern semi)?

We did eventually get our windows sorted, but it took far longer than it should have, and cost us more stress than necessary, making us lose our peace of mind. The windows themselves? They're lovely. But getting there was like navigating a maze blindfolded while people shouted conflicting directions at us.

That's exactly why HowMuch4 exists. We made every mistake going, learned every lesson the hard way, and now we're here to share that knowledge so you don't have to go through the same ordeal.

‘How much 4’ is here for you to:

• Explain what actually affects price (like access, energy ratings, or building regs)
• Empower you to ask the right questions before you invite anyone into your home
• Connect you with companies we believe in, and not just anyone who bids the highest for your data.

Starting Smarter

If you're thinking about new windows, our advice is simple: start with understanding what you're actually buying and why it costs what it does.

Know the difference between what's essential and what's sales fluff. Understand what factors will affect your specific job. Be prepared with the right questions before anyone sets foot in your house.

We can't promise window shopping will ever be stress-free, but we can help you feel informed, confident, and in control of the process.