Is this quote for new windows a little high?

[DangerousPirate]

I am asking for new windows with new frames to be built for my boat, and I was quoted £281.70 each + tax & shipping, for 6mm GREY tint (Perspex 9T21) cast acrylic

Does that seem like a fair price? I never bought windows before, but I felt like it would be less than that.


Edit: This is also just the price for refurbishment, which is probably not even feasable.

 

[Pete7]

Is there a days work for someone to start with raw materials and make you a bespoke window to your dimensions? plus a small profit for the business? If so then that's probably a fair price. After all, how much would you pay a plasterer for a days work? Ours has just put his prices up so its about £300 a day now.

So is there a solution, do you need a frame? because if not, then bonded acrylic windows is an option using VHB tape from 3m. Its controversial, with the old guard saying it won't stand years of med sunshine or survive a F9 going round Cape Horn. Meanwhile the technology is being used to bond windows into sky scrappers.

I am thinking about it for our cabin windows because the cost is significantly less and DIY if you want. Perhaps have a watch of this and read the comments before reaching your own conclusions.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Is there a days work for someone to start with raw materials and make you a bespoke window to your dimensions? plus a small profit for the business? If so then that's probably a fair price. After all, how much would you pay a plasterer for a days work? Ours has just put his prices up so its about £300 a day now.

So is there a solution, do you need a frame? because if not, then bonded acrylic windows is an option using VHB tape from 3m. Its controversial, with the old guard saying it won't stand years of med sunshine or survive a F9 going round Cape Horn. Meanwhile the technology is being used to bond windows into sky scrappers.

I am thinking about it for our cabin windows because the cost is significantly less and DIY if you want. Perhaps have a watch of this and read the comments before reaching your own conclusions.

Well, I don't know how long they take to make a window? Hence me asking. And I would do that if I have to, but I would prefer to do it with the frame, as it looks better in my opinion, but I can't make the frame myself. I am not here to ponder philosophical questions, just wanted to know if I am being overcharged and should look for someone else or if the price is fair and I just need to accept it.

 

[Neeves]

Price will also be contingent on size, which you omitted to provide, whether fixed or opening. Rectangular frames are cheaper to make than those with rounded corners and matching existing rounded corners might need a new former.

A picture, with an idea on size, is worth 1,000 words (apparently) and we all carry a mobile phone.

Most windows, or port lights, are close to standard - can you simply not buy 'off the shelf' from Lewmar etc.

Jonathan

 

[srm]

just wanted to know if I am being overcharged and should look for someone else or if the price is fair and I just need to accept it.

If you can go to someone else why not ask for quotes from more than one supplier to the same spec? You will then have an idea of the current prices.

 

[Adetheheat]

I had new window on my Beneteau antares 750. It weighed 40kg. The window without fitting was 500 pounds I think.

 

[sailorbenji]

I am asking for new windows with new frames to be built for my boat, and I was quoted £281.70 each + tax & shipping, for 6mm GREY tint (Perspex 9T21) cast acrylic

Does that seem like a fair price? I never bought windows before, but I felt like it would be less than that.


Edit: This is also just the price for refurbishment, which is probably not even feasable.

How big are they, and do they need to open? That said, that price for custom framed windows, even if relatively small and fixed panel, it sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Boater Sam]

You cannot expect to get pirate rates on everything!

 

[DangerousPirate]

If you can go to someone else why not ask for quotes from more than one supplier to the same spec? You will then have an idea of the current prices.

I am waiting for other replies, this is the first offer that came in. Who would you recommend to ask?

I had new window on my Beneteau antares 750. It weighed 40kg. The window without fitting was 500 pounds I think.

40kg?? That's a lot. I don't think mine are anywhere near that. But they're big windows. 500 pounds per window you say. Hmm.

How big are they, and do they need to open? That said, that price for custom framed windows, even if relatively small and fixed panel, it sounds reasonable to me.

They're 164 cm x 14 cm, fixed panels. New price with new frames is 561.84 each (including vat).

You cannot expect to get pirate rates on everything! View attachment 160818

No, I don't expect to get a steal. I just wasn't have massively underestimated how much this would cost.

 

[Tranona]

Does that include drilling the fixing holes, radiusing and polishing the edges? Just the perspex panel, no frame? If so very expensive. Expect well under £100, nearer £70 depending on the number of holes. You do not need to go to a window specialist. You can buy on line or find a local sign maker.

I got a rough quote here for just under £60 for a straight rectangle your size, 12 holes radiused and polished edges. best to make a full size template to get quotes.
simplyplastics.com/catalog/sheet/cast-acrylic-sheet/bronzegrey-tinted-cast-acrylic-sheet/c-24/c-83/p-236

 

[srm]

Who would you recommend to ask?

Sorry, the only time I replaced windows on a boat, alloy frames and toughened glass, was early 1980's so a little out of date.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Does that include drilling the fixing holes, radiusing and polishing the edges? Just the perspex panel, no frame? If so very expensive. Expect well under £100, nearer £70 depending on the number of holes. You do not need to go to a window specialist. You can buy on line or find a local sign maker.

I got a rough quote here for just under £60 for a straight rectangle your size, 12 holes radiused and polished edges. best to make a full size template to get quotes.
simplyplastics.com/catalog/sheet/cast-acrylic-sheet/bronzegrey-tinted-cast-acrylic-sheet/c-24/c-83/p-236

I have seen the website, to be honest, if it were just the panel, I'd be set as I already have two of them on my boat. The issue is the frame. But the acrylic sheets being that cheap, I didn't expect two windows to blow up to 1.1k with the frames. But looks like I was just wrong. Maybe. Dunno.

A window like the long one on the left. They also have inner rings/frames They sort of make an L shape on the side profile to fit inside the opening.

 

[Tranona]

You can now see why that type of window is no longer used by new boat builders. They were OK when your boat was built because there was a good subcontract infrastructure making them and labour was relatively cheap. Remember also your boat was very expensive when new. Now they have to be made individually and at 340+ an hour it adds up. Personally I would ditch the frames and just through bolt 6mm Polycarbonate. If the outside framing is flat you can just use that for trim.

 

[PCUK]

If you only want the polycarbonate, measure the sizes and get a quote from Trent Plastics. They are good and do mail order.

 

[Concerto]

Knowing the Nicholson 30 very well as my parents bought hull No.6 and we allowed her to be at the London Boat Show, then we raced extensively including planing her a number of times. We found the question we always asked before going up wind and apply full backstay tension was "hatch open or closed?" as the boat flexed enough to jamb the hatch runner. I suspect you may also suffer from some movement along those long windows.

Personally I would do as Tranona suggests and ditch the frames. Use the frames as the template for the new windows including screw holes, but reuse the inner frame to keep the interior neat. You would need new longer inter screws and some butyl rubber for sealing. To keep the boat looking smart, I would change all the windows.

 

[Boathook]

I have seen the website, to be honest, if it were just the panel, I'd be set as I already have two of them on my boat. The issue is the frame. But the acrylic sheets being that cheap, I didn't expect two windows to blow up to 1.1k with the frames. But looks like I was just wrong. Maybe. Dunno.

A window like the long one on the left. They also have inner rings/frames They sort of make an L shape on the side profile to fit inside the opening.
View attachment 160841

Making a frame like that is expensive having to form aluminium, etc.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Making a frame like that is expensive having to form aluminium, etc.

2 Windows 1.1k is a little steep though, feels like.

 

[DinghyMan]

2 Windows 1.1k is a little steep though, feels like.

Is the quote maybe a "we don't want the job" quote?

How do they compare with other suppliers?

Aluminium prices have more than doubled in the last year or so which probably doesn't help either

As others have said maybe its time for a redesign to do away with the frames if the custom frames are what's causing the expense

 

[DangerousPirate]

Is the quote maybe a "we don't want the job" quote?

How do they compare with other suppliers?

Aluminium prices have more than doubled in the last year or so which probably doesn't help either

As others have said maybe its time for a redesign to do away with the frames if the custom frames are what's causing the expense

I have no idea. I am here to ask questions, not really in the position to answer them.

Haven't heard back from anyone else so far. Only them.

 

[Boater Sam]

I have no idea. I am here to ask questions, not really in the position to answer them.

Haven't heard back from anyone else so far. Only them.

There you go, no one wants the job!