High Wycombe based Hazlemere publish new Garage Door Buyers Guide

Although, Hazlemere Windows, the Bucks based independent double glazing manufacturer and installer company I work for has been supplying and fitting windows, doors and conservatories for 25 years, it is not yet as well known for supplying and fitting made to measure garage doors.

As on the double glazed windows and doors side, it holds no stocks of "standard sizes" as most properties have different aperatures for garage doors, as well as windows and doors. Consequently, every garage door Hazlemere supplies and fits is made bespoke, tailored to fit each particular situation.

Given the huge number of variants of colour, size and operation that Hazlemere offer, it would impractical to hold stocks, given Hazlemere's Garage Doors range includes solid timber, glass re-inforced polyester (GRP), steel, aluminium and ABS (plastic). Add to this the many different garage door operating mechanisms, like up and over, roller shutter, sectional, side hinged, electric, manual and all the different finishes (let alone single and double doors!), it would not be possible to keep stocks.

The slight down side is, as with made to measure double glazing, it naturally takes longer to supply and install as each job needs first surveying by a professional surveyor to ensure that the product is made to the exact measurements your property needs, so although it does takes longer than trying to get so called cheaper "standard sizes" to fit, you end up with a high quality installation professionally fitted. Hopefully, you will agree that getting an excellent made to measure home improvement job done which carries a decent guarantee on both the product and installation is worth the investment and waiting that few extra weeks for?

To help their customers through the many different modern materials and garage door operating mechanisms, High Wycombe based Hazlemere Garage Doors have published a free garage doors buyers guide to help you ensure you choose the right garage door type and mode of operation for your particular property.

If you would like to request a free copy, simply click here

Why on earth do double glazing companies in Bucks use high pressure selling tactics?

Having been in the double glazing industry just over 14 months, I am amazed by the number of complaints my firm gets from potential customers about the pressure selling tactics used by some of the national brand names. So aggressive seems their approach, that it appears to drive custom to the firm I work for which has built up a reputation in the region for letting customers make up their own mind in their own time.

In a funny sort of way double glazing companies who use "hard selling" tactics are doing companies like mine (Hazlemere Windows, Doors & Conservatories) a real favour, as all they are doing is highlighting the benefits of dealing with us, a family owned, independent manufacturer, established back in 1985, with a large 4,000 square foot home improvements showroom in High Wycombe that is open 7 days a week, offering free expert help & advice on a no obligation basis.

Furthermore, Hazlemere Windows offer on the spot no obligation free estimates at their Showroom in Wellington Road on Cressex Business Park to anyone who brings their own sizes, along with hand drawn sketches of each window and door showing any opening vents and which way they would like them to open. I am proud of the fact that Hazlemere Windows employ experienced industry experts who are on hand to offer free help and advice about all the different types of double glazing products available in the marketplace, whether or not clients then end up buying from the Hazlemere Group. Hazlemere Windows consultants take turns to man the Showroom, which is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm. They are more than happy to let you browse at your leisure or, should you require it, run through the pros and cons of today's modern energy efficient materials, such as aluminium, composite and UPVC along with the many different PVCu and aluminium double glazed windows, doors and conservatories on display within the showroom.

If, having been to the showroom and actually seen a product that you know you will get (if of course you decide to buy replacement double glazed windows and doors), Hazlemere's experts are prepared to offer a free site survey and consultation. From this, if required by the client, they will provide a no obligation written quotation that they will leave with a client for them to consider on their own in their own timescales.

Despite having worked for Hazlemere Windows in High Wycombe for just over a year, the company's non threatening softly softly respectful approach definitely pays dividends, as clients tell us all the time what a pleasant contrast it is to the hard sell approach they had unfortunately experienced from representatives of other double glazing companies. I know personally I can not stand pressure selling, and will personally not buy on principle from any person or firm that puts me under undue pressure.

The simple way to find out if what I am saying is true or a marketing gimmick is to come along when it suits you to Hazlemere Windows home improvement showroom, enjoy one of our complimentary speciality coffee's, whilst having a leisurely look round at the wide selection of home improvement ideas and options on display. For a no obligation "on the spot" free estimate to help you budget and plan simply "Bring Your Own Sizes" be they for replacement windows, replacement doors, a new garage door, blinds or a conservatory. Infact if you want to you can download Hazlemere Windows Quick Window Estimator.

As you will discover when you pop along at your convenience the great thing about Hazlemere Windows home improvement consultants is that they will only spend time helping and assisting you should you wish it.

So, if you want to invite a high pressured double glazing salesmen into your home, don't bother contacting Hazlemere Windows, as we will be unwilling to oblige!

It is more blessed to give than to receive

I recently came across a very interesting article on the Telegraph website by George Pitcher entitled "Who cares if Robbie Williams is worse off", referring to the Sunday Times Rich List 2009 and seemed to suggest that our attitudes are changing (for the better) towards people who have got more money than they will ever need in their lifetime. The views expressed in the article seemed to reflect an almost Christian perspective on the credit crunch and how we should be viewing our fellow man, plus Mr Pitcher's article also suggested that "Giving it away could be the new making it."

"It's more that the richer you get, the more you worry about money. There is a worry about losing money that can be as preoccupying as worrying about not having any." says the article's author George Pitcher, who suggests that "while we greet the news that Robbie Williams is £25 million "worse off" with some satisfaction that this bumptious singing waiter has been separated from so much unwarranted dosh, our glee is short-lived. We go "Yeah right, like he's going to care" when we clock that he's getting by on £80 million. Actually, the rich care very much when they lose money. This isn't the rather silly idea that they care about their public status: in my experience, the wealthy would rather stay out of the Rich List and out of sight of the Inland Revenue, burglars and kidnappers."

The bible suggests that "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6v6) and that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20v35). This is not something that modern society has really encouraged, it has been more look after number one and lots of dosh will bring happiness, but does it? My dear old mum when she was alive taught me that whilst wealth can bring comfort, it can not bring happiness, in fact, some of the wealthiest people are the unhappiest in the world, as the very thing that they thought would make them happy can not. Simply look at the ruined lives of many of past lottery winners! As Jesus said in Mark 10v25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"

I was well impressed with George Pitchers article as he asks some interesting questions about our attitudes to both the rich and society, and observes "there can be little doubt that during the boom years there was some desire, born of prurience and envy, for us to press our noses up against the securitised double-glazing of the very wealthy. In those years, making money seemed natural. And making lots of money seemed healthy; it showed that we were at one with the nature of the markets and its fruits. And the Rich List suggested to us that we could all make it. Frankly, so long as Victoria Beckham is one half of a partnership worth £125 million (426th equal) there's hope for us all. The list was aspirational. Now it just looks pointless, vacuous and a little vulgar. Money no longer defines us. To be rich is no longer what it is to be human. We are re-defining what we admire."

In life we tend to find out who are true friends are during the most difficult and trying times, plus the depth of our own characters and what we believe. There is nothing wrong with money itself, however it is whether or not you let it become more important than family and friends etc. The Bible makes it clear that "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6v10 King James Version), money is not evil, loving it is! Could this be the root cause of the Worldwide banking collapses and subsequent credit crisis? You decide.

"Which" Double Glazing Company Should You Choose?

The influential Which Magazine last produced a comprehensive report on the double glazing industry in November 2002 that was entitled "Double Trouble". In preparation for this report they carried out a thorough survey beforehand. In May 2002, Which Magazine sent a postal survey to 3,519 Which Magazine readers who had had double glazing installed in the previous two years enquiring "about their experiences and asked them to rate the companies that they used" (Double Trouble - Which Magazine Page 41, November 2002).

Of the 2,218 respondents, 75% said they had opted for an independent or regional company. Which Magazine's summary on page 41 concluded "that double glazing companies, particularly national chains, are failing to provide trouble free service. Readers rated Everest the best of the chains with good quality units, but it's let down by poor customer service. Zenith also produces good units, but uses pressure selling tactics and causes more problems than Everest. Anglian, Coldseal and Staybrite were the least popular chains. Your safest bet is a personal recommendation of an independent or regional firm." (Double Trouble - Which Magazine, November 2002)

Leading home improvement specialists, Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories, always advises homeowners to visit the Which Magazine How To Buy Glazing Guide, as it offers good sound advice for anyone considering double glazed windows and doors or a new double glazed conservatory.
The Which "How to Buy Double Glazing Guide" is worth a read, as it outlines your rights, and which steps to take, and what questions to ask before you commit to purchasing double glazing products.

It is particularly worth looking at Which Magazine's payment and protection section which explains how you can gain added protection by paying by credit card and/or purchasing an insurance backed guarantee. Hazlemere Windows does have the facility to allow customers to pay by credit card (for a small fee, although there is no charge for debit cards), and offers further additional protection, should you require it, of an insurance backed guarantee from the Independent Warranty Association

The reality is that the vast majority of Hazlemere Windows customers tend to pay by personal or building society cheque, as the company is such a well established and successful independent regional manufacturer, offering a cast iron written ten year guarantee, backed by three experienced in-house dedicated service engineers, whose primary role is to deliver Hazlemere’s guarantee. Hazlemere Windows expert home improvement consultants always advise property owners to check things out for themselves, as they welcome being credit checked, as the results differentiate them from most of their competitors, and being particularly conscious of the well documented poor past record of some parts of the double glazing industry, they prefer all their customers to have total peace of mind.

Hazlemere were the Quantal Regional Installers of the Year for 2008, and also won the award for the Commercial Installation of the Year for the double glazed windows, doors and Quantal roof glazing system they manufactured and installed at Lane End Primary School during the 2008 school summer holidays.

If you want to take up Which Magazine’s advice that “your safest bet is a personal recommendation of an independent or regional firm." (Double Trouble - Which Magazine, November 2002), or you are in a dilemma as to “Which” double glazing company to use, you may find it worthwhile first checking out www.hazlemere.co.uk or ringing their experienced industry experts for free help and advice on FREEPHONE 0500 011561 or email them at info@hazlemere.co.uk

Hazlemere Windows Win Two Prestigious Double Glazing Awards For Quality of Aluminium Conservatory Roofing System Installations Throughout 2008

The company I work for (known locally as "Hazlemere Windows") have been recently awarded the prestigious Quantal Award for their Lane End School installation, which they carried out in 2008 at this Primary School in Edmonds Road, Lane End, High Wycombe, Bucks.

Quantal awarded Hazlemere the 2008 Commercial Installation of the Year Award in the education sector category for this Bucks school project which involved the construction of a new entrance lobby with a bespoke aluminium Quantal glazed roof to increase security and management of pupils, staff and the school’s many visitors and tradesfolk.

Hazlemere Commercial projects delivered this improvement scheme on time and on budget during the school summer holidays in 2008, despite discovering difficult ground conditions, when an unusually high water table was exacerbated by unseasonably wet weather. When excavation works commenced water was discovered “flowing” underneath the existing school building.
These unexpected working conditions were overcome in conjunction with Wycombe District Council Building Control and Buckinghamshire County Council’s principal surveyor for the district’s schools. Hazlemere Commercial’s operatives had to fit specialised drainage beneath the lobby concrete floor, to allow the excess water to drain away to soakaways.

Hazlemere Commercial are on the Buckinghamshire County Council’s approved list of suppliers and were selected by Lane End Primary School for this project, I understand, following discussions btween the School and Bucks County Council, given our proven track record as manufacturers and installers of bespoke aluminium glazing systems. The double glazing products used on this award winning project involved Sapa Dualframe 75 aluminium casement windows, Sapa 202 aluminium commercial entrance doors and a Quantal glazed aluminium roofing system.

During February 2009, Hazlemere Conservatories were also advised they had been adjudged the Quantal Regional Installer of the Year for 2008 for their numerous bespoke aluminium conservatory installations utilising the Quantal conservatory roofing system throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Oxfordshire. Hazlemere Conservatories, independent manufacturers and installers of aluminium windows, doors and conservatories since 1985, like I, were thrilled to receive this award, endorsed by Richard Hulbert, General Manager of Quantal Conservatory Roofing Systems.

It is always nice to have high quality work acknowledged, and I am proud to work for a company who have high standards and even when problems arise (which inevitably do happen occasionally), do everything fair and reasonable to put these right as soon as practically possible. I know Hazlemere Windows honour their hefty 10 year guarantee, as many years ago (long before I started working for them) they came out to our home in Beaconsfield to fix some broken locks and handles on a couple of occasions and never made a fuss, nor charged us anything.

The low down on Hazlemere Windows

The company I work for Hazlemere Window Company Ltd is a bespoke, quality UPVC and aluminium window, door and curtain walling specialist, supplying the UK commercial and trade sectors, including the South of England retail market. With decades of experience in the commercial and retail sectors, Hazlemere has the knowledge and expertise to handle the design, manufacture and installation of replacement windows, doors, conservatories and a host of other, bespoke property improvements.

Hazlemere Commercial, a major Division of the Hazlemere Group, was formed in 1992 quickly building a reputation for designing, fabricating and installing quality architectural aluminium products to the commercial market sector. The Commercial Division works with architects, surveyors and main contractors as well as building owners and property managers supplying and installing curtain walling, commercial windows and commercial doors.

The Hazlemere Group also offers a wide range of conservatory interiors including furniture, blinds, ceiling fans, under floor heating and ceramic floor tiles. It also supplies and installs top quality roofline products (i.e. cladding, fascias and soffits, guttering and downpipes), garage doors and garage storage solutions.

Hazlemere are independent manufacturers originally established in 1985 by father and son, George and Stuart Braham respectively, offering a wide choice of materials and double glazing systems, making bespoke windows, doors and conservatories. In fact in 2007, Hazlemere were the first UK company to design, manufacture and install dual frame A rated aluminium window systems as endorsed by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC for short!) and the Energy Saving Trust.