Pearls of wisdom to get quote down

[flanagaj]

So we have had a quote for both aluminium and aluminium timber cladding.  The aluminium quote for supply only is surprisingly 2.5k more, but when I then apply the 10% August discount (not sure it's a real discount) and the installation cost which is 3.5k cheaper, the aluminium offering is 5k less.

 

I was always told aluminium clad is more expensive as it's a better product and the U values are lower, so now I'm sceptical about the aluminium quote and wondering whether I could reduce the installation cost of the aluminium timber cladding by installing the smaller 1.1m*1.2m ones myself.

 

The ali-clad installation cost for 60m2 is nearly 27% of the cost of the doors and windows!

[MikeSharp01]

13 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

The ali-clad installation cost for 60m2 is nearly 27% of the cost of the doors and windows!

Ours was 20% exactly (almost) and we decided to get it installed by the company as they would zero rate the VAT at that point so overall it will, when we get to end cost us more - as we cannot reclaim the VAT, but at the point of installation it was cash flow and risk management effective.

 

 

[flanagaj]

16 minutes ago, MikeSharp01 said:

Ours was 20% exactly (almost) and we decided to get it installed by the company as they would zero rate the VAT at that point so overall it will, when we get to end cost us more - as we cannot reclaim the VAT, but at the point of installation it was cash flow and risk management effective.

I don't follow why it will cost you more.  If they zero rate the VAT, haven't you just not paid VAT on the purchase?

[nod]

I think they make the prices and discounts up as they go 

We where quoted 55k supply only plus vat from one of the main players 

Which we couldn’t justify for windows 

Shop around 

I put a post on on Thursday showing a door frame combination That has cost 90k I’ve had to pull the Ally clad trim off one side where the strips lights are going as it’s all I’ve the place Your better with your joiner fitting the windows 

Edited August 19 by nod

[MikeSharp01]

On 18/08/2025 at 22:04, flanagaj said:

I don't follow why it will cost you more.  If they zero rate the VAT, haven't you just not paid VAT on the purchase?

Had I done the install myself I would have had to pay VAT on the supply only contract which I could claim back once the build is finished. As it is I have paid for the install in addition to not paying the VAT on the supply. Hence I am down the install cost which although I could have done it myself I felt it worth getting someone else in to measure and install it thereby reducing my risk of the install.