Robuild & Joinery Ltd

A single uPVC window in Manchester typically runs £300 to £600 supplied and fitted; a full house of 8 to 10 windows is often £3,000 to £8,000 depending on style (casement, bay, sash-look) and glazing spec. Get two or three written, itemised quotes before agreeing to work.

Not much, but not none. Wipe the frames a few times a year, lubricate hinges and locks annually, and keep the drainage channels along the bottom of the frame clear so water can't pool and find its way inside. There is no statutory annual service like a boiler needs.

Repair makes sense for a failed seal (misted double glazing), a worn handle or hinge, or a damaged lock on an otherwise sound frame — usually a straightforward swap. Replacement is the better value once frames are warped, draughty, rotten (on timber) or past roughly 20 to 25 years old, or when several units across the house have failed. Ask the installer to price both where it's borderline.

uPVC frames typically carry a 10 year manufacturer or insurance-backed guarantee, and sealed glazed units are usually guaranteed separately for 5 to 10 years against misting. Register the guarantee after installation and keep the FENSA or Certass certificate — a buyer's solicitor will ask for it if you sell the property.