Hassocks window questions, answered plainly
The questions Hassocks homeowners ask us most
Will new windows on my house need a planning application?
In most cases no. Swapping the windows of a house falls under permitted development as long as the replacements resemble the originals in appearance. The exceptions are listed buildings, homes covered by an Article 4 direction, and changes that alter the look of the house a great deal.
I live in a flat. Is that any different?
Different rules apply. Flats have no permitted development rights for windows. Changing the look of a flat's windows (material, style, opening) usually needs planning permission; an exact like-for-like replacement may not. You also need the freeholder's consent, so check with the council.
Does living in a conservation area stop me replacing windows?
Not usually, on a house. Replacements that look like the existing windows are normally still permitted, though the authority will hope the style and glazing bars respect the building. An Article 4 direction is the thing that can take the right away, so check whether one applies.
Which costs more: uPVC, aluminium or timber?
Size for size, uPVC is the cheapest, aluminium comes next and timber is the dearest. Genuine timber is noticeably more expensive than uPVC with a wood finish, which is why timber is usually kept for listed houses and places where planners require it.
How soon does painted timber need repainting?
Count on painting them about three years after they go in, then at intervals of a few years. The repainting is the owner’s job rather than the installer’s.
Is scaffolding needed for upstairs windows?
Rarely. First-floor windows are normally reached from a mobile tower set up directly below them. Scaffold is kept for the few places where a tower cannot stand safely.
Can I get a price for one window?
You can. When only one window is being changed, a call-out charge goes on top of its price. Jobs of three windows or more are planned as a full day at the standard rate.
At what stage do I get a firm price?
A ballpark comes on the first phone call. The written quotation follows the free home visit and does not wait for a survey; the full survey is done once you say yes.
Who actually does the fitting?
A long-standing window and door installer near Hassocks, registered with FENSA, with a showroom you are welcome to visit. FENSA membership lets the firm certify its own work under Building Regulations, which saves you a building control application.
How long will the work take?
One or two windows normally take a few hours. A whole house is usually a matter of days, depending on how many windows there are and how much tidying the openings need.