I’m planning a garage conversion which will involve replacing a current window and single back door with a PVCu french door.
I’ve had a quote of 1800 from a recommended local firm which doesn’t seem terribly unreasonable? But having a quick google it seems there’s plenty places who’ll sell me something similar for half that or less
A bit of YouTubing and it doesn’t look like fitting windows is particularly onerous. I’m fairly competent at DIY, done plenty kitchens and bathrooms in my time.
So has anyone done it? Any tips? And any recommendations for what to look for when ordering? It’s a 90’s house with slightly past their best timber double glazed windows all around so if it turns out to be easy enough I’ll likely embark on a rolling upgrade of the rest of the house
For context - I’ll be looking at Skoda Octavia quality windows rather than Mercedes S-Class
If you are planning on selling the house at any time bear in mind that the buyer's solicitor might demand the FENSA certificate for the installer. It's a scam to prevent people like you doing the job DIY.
Did it with a pair of french doors. Involved removing an existing window, cutting brickwork below out and fitting door. Saved about £1k for a day's work.
You do need to get building control approval and a certificate if you don't use a FENSA fitter - was £120. In my case the inspected the hole the window left, checked the lintel was effective and checked I'd fitted insulated closures, damp proof course and double plasterboard internally and that outside was sealed.
I expect I’ll be dealing with building regs to make sure everything else I do is compliant anyway - would that combined with presumably some sort of certificate of the performance of the window firm the manufacturer keep me sweet?
Sounds the same as mine then - how did you cut the brickwork? And how did you finish the edge of the cut brickwork?
Fitting the window is the easy bit.*
The real skill is making a decent job of the cill, facings , linings, apron etc.
Not a problem if you're doing a garage. More so if you're having a bash in the house
*assuming you've made a decent job of accurately measuring the opening.
A bit of YouTubing and it doesn’t look like fitting windows is particularly onerous.
Everything looks easy on YouTube.
It is a pretty easy diy job. There are a few places to go wrong but there are plenty of good guides on youTube. You should be able to add the install to the list of jobs on the building notice when you apply for regs for the rest of the conversion.
As for cutting the brick, use an angle grinder with a diamond disk. You can pick up a 9" for not too much money. Won't go all the way through but enough for the rest to break neatly. If you want it neat screw a bit of plywood to the wall then use that as a cutting guide. Lots and lots of dust (which you can keep down with water) but it shouldn't be a big issue in a garage.
Or you can just ignore the fensa/building control scenario and if you ever move get it signed off retrospectively if it's pulled up by the buyers solicitors.
It's a farce really.
Or you can just ignore the fensa/building control scenario and if you ever move get it signed off retrospectively if it’s pulled up by the buyers solicitors.
Indemnity insurance. Happened to me, did some work on a house and didn't realise it needed building regs sign off. When i sold it I paid about £150 for the insurance, it was cheaper than the building officer fees.
Indemnity insurance. Happened to me, did some work on a house and didn’t realise it needed building regs sign off. When i sold it I paid about £150 for the insurance, it was cheaper than the building officer fees.
This, I expect to have to do the same.
Measure once cut twice...
No hang on.. Its measure errr..
Nevermind.
Don't do what our muppet builder did when fitting bifolds..... make the opening the same size as the frame! Fitters arrived and announced that the frame would fall out of the hole. Bodge required.
Surely if the opening was the same size as the frame it'd be a tight fit?
For the frame to fall out,the opening would have to be too large or the frame too small
so can anyone recommend suppliers? or how to tell the good from the bad?
Lazy fitters by the sound of it, no clearance would be harder to rectify. Cutting with a 9" grinder leaves a crappy job maybe 2 and 1/2 inches in and probably nowhere near square if you are doing it for the first time
I used a 9" diamond disk having never done it before and got a square cut - take your time and make sure you have a well marked wall (the wood en batten as a guide sound slike a good idea).
The amount of dust was at the 'having to apologise to the neighbours two doors up for ruining their washing' levels.
Again 9inch grinder
Measure once cut twice.....
Or something similar
When screwing the frame in make sure you miss the mortar joints. Dont screw up either if you can help it as itll encourage a leak
Yes I have and it was pretty easy, got inspected by the building inspector to get round Fensa
Packet of shims from Screwfix (important to fix without pulling the sides out)
and some inflatable levelling pads (these are bloody brilliant!)
Also a foam gun makes life sooo much easier.
Got some photos but since Flickr went no still haven't found a good host
Fitted all my windows and doors bar one( a Box Bay window), its a doddle.
Plus they look neater than most of the so called Professional outfits who seem to undersize the frames considerably to make them easier/quicker to fit then just pack them out with spacers and silicone a UPVC trim to cover the remaining gap, Mine just have a thin bead of mastic around the edge.
The FENSA stuff is just another money grabbing bollocks scheme just like EPC certificates.