Should the quote include VAT?

It should state clearly whether VAT is included or added. For a VAT-registered installer quoting a homeowner, the price should normally be shown including VAT.

How long should a quote stay valid?

Thirty days is typical and reasonable. A quote valid only until the salesperson leaves your house is a sales tactic rather than a commercial term.

Can I ask for a cheaper specification?

Yes, and an itemised quote is what makes that conversation possible. You can trade down on colour or hardware while keeping the glass specification, which is usually the better compromise.

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What a good window quote should contain

A quote you can rely on names the profile system, the glass specification, the spacer type, the hardware and the colour, and states explicitly whether removing the old frames, disposal, making good and the compliance certificate are included. A single line and a total is not a quote you can compare.

Two quotes a thousand pounds apart are usually quoting two different jobs. The only way to find out is to make both of them itemise.

The specification

Ask for each of these in writing. An installer who will not put them on paper is telling you something.

Profile system and manufacturer. Named, not "premium uPVC".
Glass unit: overall thickness, low-emissivity coating, gas fill, and the spacer bar type. Warm-edge spacers should be stated.
The whole-window U-value or energy rating, not the glass-only figure.
Hardware: hinge and locking system, and whether the windows are PAS 24 tested.
Colour and finish, inside and out, with the RAL reference or foil name.
Opening arrangement per window, including which are fixed and which serve as a fire escape.

The work, not just the product

This is where quotes diverge most, and where the surprise costs live.

Removal and disposal of the old frames and glass.
Making good internally: plaster, trims, sills, decoration.
External sealing and any brickwork repair.
Scaffolding or access equipment for upper floors.
The FENSA, CERTASS or Assure certificate.
Any structural support needed on a bay window.

The terms

Finally, the commercial detail: the deposit amount and what it covers, the payment schedule, the lead time, the guarantee term and whether it is insurance-backed, and your cancellation rights.

For a contract agreed in your home you normally have a fourteen-day cancellation period, and the quote should say so. A quote that is silent on cancellation rights is worth a second look.

Questions

Should the quote include VAT?: It should state clearly whether VAT is included or added. For a VAT-registered installer quoting a homeowner, the price should normally be shown including VAT.
How long should a quote stay valid?: Thirty days is typical and reasonable. A quote valid only until the salesperson leaves your house is a sales tactic rather than a commercial term.
Can I ask for a cheaper specification?: Yes, and an itemised quote is what makes that conversation possible. You can trade down on colour or hardware while keeping the glass specification, which is usually the better compromise.

Note This guide is general information about England and Wales, not advice about your specific property. TrustedGlazing is an introducer and does not install, survey or quote. Rely on your installer's survey and your local authority for decisions about your own home.