Buying · 7 min read · Updated 2026
How much do new windows cost in the UK?
Window pricing has a reputation for being deliberately opaque. It does not need to be. Once you understand the five things that actually move the number, you can read any quotation and tell whether it is fair.
What actually drives the price
Two quotations for 'the same' windows can differ by thousands, and usually for legitimate reasons. Before comparing prices, make sure you are comparing the same specification.
- Material — PVC-U is the most competitive, aluminium sits above it, timber is usually the most expensive.
- Size and quantity — price per opening falls as the number of openings rises, because much of the cost is labour and access.
- Glass specification — triple glazing, acoustic laminate, solar control and obscure patterns all add cost.
- Colour — anything other than white typically adds 8–20%, and dual colour adds more.
- Access and making good — scaffolding, structural bays, awkward openings and internal plastering all count.
Where the money goes
A rough rule of thumb on a typical domestic job: the frames and glass account for roughly half, installation labour a quarter, and the remainder covers waste disposal, certification, guarantees, overheads and profit.
This is why the cheapest quotation is not always the best. Somebody has to be paid to do the job properly, and if the margin is not there it usually comes out of the installation quality or the aftercare.
What a fair quotation looks like
A quotation you can trust states the product system by name, the glass specification, the colour inside and out, the hardware finish, who is doing the work, what is included in making good, and what guarantee you receive and from whom.
It should also have one price with a sensible validity period. Prices that halve when you say no were never real prices.
Common questions
- Is it cheaper to replace all the windows at once?
- Almost always, yes. Fixed costs like access, delivery and mobilisation are spread across more openings, so the cost per window falls.
- Should I pay a large deposit?
- A modest deposit is normal because frames are made to order. Be cautious about large upfront payments and always check what protection you have.