Plenty of people put off getting new windows because they are dreading the visit: the long sales pitch, the price that halves if you sign tonight, the salesman who will not leave. A survey does not have to be like that, and ours is not.
Here is what a proper survey is for, what gets looked at, and what you should expect to receive afterwards.
What the survey is for
A survey has three jobs. Measure every opening accurately enough to make the windows or doors. Spot anything about the openings that will affect the job. And agree with you exactly what you want, so the written quote describes the right thing.
It is not a sales appointment. With us, the person doing the survey is the person who will do the fitting, so the measurements are taken by someone who will have to live with them.
What gets measured and checked
| Checked | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Width and height of each structural opening | Frames are made to measure, not to a standard size |
| Whether the opening is square and level | Older openings often are not, and the frame has to allow for it |
| Condition of the sill, reveals and lintel | Problems here can add work on the day |
| Which rooms need escape windows | Opening size has to suit Scottish building standards |
| Access inside and outside | Upstairs, conservatories and tight gardens change the plan |
| Existing glass units | A misted unit may only need the pane replaced, not the frame |
What you will be asked
- Which windows or doors you want replaced, and why
- What bothers you about the current ones: draughts, condensation, security, looks
- Opening style and which way sashes and doors should open
- Colour inside and out
- Glass: clear, obscure, or anything specific
- Any timing you are working to
How to prepare
You do not need to do much. Clear enough space in front of each window for someone to get a tape measure across it, and make sure there is access to the outside of the house. It helps to have a rough idea of the questions above, but nothing needs to be decided in advance; that is what the conversation is for.
If a window has a specific problem, such as a sash that sticks or glass that has gone cloudy, point it out. It may change what the right answer is.
When the answer is not new windows
A good survey sometimes ends with fewer windows on the quote than you expected. If the frames are sound and the only issue is misted or failed glass, the sensible fix is to replace the sealed glass unit and leave the frame alone. We say so when that is the case. Replace the pane, not the frame.
What you should get afterwards
A clear written quote setting out what is being supplied and fitted. It should state whether removal and disposal of the old units is included and who will be doing the fitting.
Red flags at any survey
- A discount that only applies if you sign today
- A price that is not written down
- Measurements taken by a salesperson who will never see the job again
- Pressure to replace frames when only the glass has failed
- No clear answer on who actually fits the windows
Booking a survey
Our surveys are free and no-pressure. We are based in Abronhill, Cumbernauld, and work across Central Scotland, Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm.
Common questions
It depends on the number of windows and doors, but it is a measuring visit and a conversation, not an evening-long sales pitch.
No. The written quote follows after the survey, and you can take your time.
Yes. Every survey and quote is free with no obligation.
Want a straight answer on your own windows or doors?
DM Installations fits and repairs windows and doors across Central Scotland — Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Falkirk, Stirling and the surrounding towns. Free survey, written quote, and an honest answer on whether you need a repair or a replacement.
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