ᐅ Windows and doors from a single provider or separate? – Experiences?

Hey everyone,

We are currently planning to replace all the windows and interior doors. Now we are considering whether to have everything done by a single contractor or to hire separate specialists for windows and doors. Does anyone have experience with turnkey solutions for projects like this? Is it easier to manage from an organizational standpoint?

If the products you want are available from a single source, why not. However, there is no connection between windows and interior doors, so you can assign them separately without any concerns.

Your project is a very standard one, done thousands of times. You can handle it however you want. These are two different things.

I would choose two different suppliers. Or even better, buy doors by mail order and install them yourself. Get windows from a professional. There are hundreds of those in Munich (assuming that’s where you are looking).

And please, no links as advertisements. That is not appreciated and can have consequences.

FireflyKobold schrieb:

Windows and Doors from a Single Source – Practical or Better Separate?
We are currently planning to replace all windows and interior doors. Now we are considering whether to have everything done by one provider or to contract windows and doors separately.

The headline fits poorly and is misleading relative to the question. Of course, you can buy lingerie and raincoats in different stores. There is no reason to bundle those.

First, to answer for all readers whom you have drawn in with the headline: When it comes to building components, it is advisable to focus on a competent installer – they are rare, so the bottleneck lies here; and you should motivate them accordingly by allowing them the trade margin. I recommend choosing the critical elements (front door, lift-and-slide doors) in aluminum, while the rest can be PVC (I would personally choose aluminum throughout, but the average homeowner prefers to save money initially and replace more often).

Now to the completely different question raised in your opening post: Building components (windows and exterior doors) differ fundamentally in several ways from interior doors – technically and especially in terms of timing. Building components are installed earlier, creating a weather-tight envelope and are set into reveal openings; after this come plasterers, wall and floor finishers, and finally the interior door installers. Thus, exterior and interior doors are naturally part of two separate construction phases divided by intervening trades, and therefore separate inspection and payment stages. At this point, you should realize the naivety of your question. Moreover, qualified contractors have different specializations. Interior doors are installed in door frames, so trained carpenters are the best choice here (for windows, carpenters are only the first choice when dealing with wood).

Especially since you mention “replacement,” this is obviously not a new build but renovation work. Here, many more aspects need to be considered. You should involve an architect experienced in renovation, even if you are not changing the layout, and ideally present your project comprehensively here in advance. As a precaution, please avoid posting fragmented questions in multiple threads.

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FireflyKobold schrieb:

Does anyone have experience with complete solutions for projects like this? Is it ultimately easier from an organizational perspective?

Experience:
We chose everything from a single source because we liked the company. As @11ant mentioned, I value the quality of the contractor’s work higher than comparing one product to another. We were only fixed on one product type: the Solarlux folding glass walls. Balzer and Henn could also provide those.

Organizational effort:
Of course, the organizational effort is lower.
You discuss one offer, which makes things easier to handle.
The number of contacts you need to coordinate appointments with is smaller – this also includes coordinating all trades and ultimately ensuring the schedule is met for the entire project.
However, the number of contacts you have to discuss details with is higher – considering you cannot reach everyone anytime, this adds up in hours.
The more that comes from a single source, the simpler it becomes. Whether this is better in each individual case depends on finding the right balance between personal requirements and streamlined processes. So, it’s a case-by-case assessment.

wiltshire schrieb:

As @11ant mentions, I rate the quality of the craftsmanship company higher than comparing one product to another.

Quite a few skilled window installers are actually versatile handyman service providers from Poland, working solo or with assistants, for whom the term "company" might be a bit too grand.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/