How Much Do uPVC Windows Cost in Luton? A Realistic Price Guide

Typical fitted prices for Luton homes

These are rough ranges to supply and fit white uPVC windows with energy efficient double glazing. They include taking out and disposing of the old frames. Your actual price will depend on sizes, access and specification, so use these figures as a starting point rather than a promise.

A two up, two down Victorian terrace in High Town or Bury Park usually sits at the lower end for a full refit because it has fewer openings, unless you choose sash style frames. A 1930s semi in Stopsley or Round Green often has a large front bay, and that bay alone can make up a third of the bill.

• Small casement window (bathroom or landing): around £350 to £550
• Standard casement window (bedroom or living room): around £450 to £800
• Tilt and turn window: around £600 to £1,000
• uPVC sliding sash style window: around £1,000 to £1,800
• Bay window (three or five sections): around £1,800 to £3,500
• Whole house, typical three bed semi with 8 to 10 windows: around £4,500 to £8,000

What pushes the price up or down

The frame material is only part of the cost. Most of the difference between quotes comes down to a few choices.

• Colour: foiled finishes such as anthracite grey or wood grain typically add 15 to 25% over white.
• Glazing: triple glazing usually adds 10 to 20%, and acoustic laminated glass costs more again.
• Style: sash look and heritage profiles cost noticeably more than standard casements.
• Size and shape: arched tops, very large panes and unusual shapes have to be made to order.
• Access: upper windows above conservatories or flat roofs, or reached through narrow side passages, can mean extra labour or a tower scaffold.
• Hardware: upgraded locks, trickle vents and restrictors on upper windows each add a little, and it adds up.

Local factors worth thinking about in Luton

If you live under the flight path around Wigmore, Vauxhall Park or towards Slip End, aircraft noise is worth planning for. Acoustic glazing uses laminated glass and panes of different thicknesses. It can make a noticeable difference in bedrooms, and if noise is your main concern it is often better value than paying for triple glazing.

Most replacement windows on Luton houses do not need planning permission. The rules are different if your home is listed, sits in one of the borough's conservation areas, or is a flat, so check with Luton Borough Council before you order if you are unsure. Whatever the property, replacement windows must meet Building Regulations. Your installer should register the work through a competent person scheme and give you a certificate, which you will need when you sell.

Leasehold flats and some former council homes on estates such as Lewsey Farm or Marsh Farm may also need consent from the freeholder or landlord. Get that sorted before you pay a deposit.

How to compare quotes fairly

Get at least three quotes and make sure each one covers the same work. A cheap quote that leaves out making good around the frames, disposal or trickle vents is not really cheaper.

A good installer will happily explain the differences between quotes and will not push you to sign on the spot.

• Ask for the energy rating or U value of the whole window, not just the glass.
• Check what the guarantee covers and who backs it if the company stops trading.
• Confirm whether making good inside and out is included.
• Ask who carries out the final survey and who pays if a frame is made to the wrong size.
• Be wary of large discounts that expire the same day.