We had double glazing installed recently. The firm we went with wasn't the cheapest, but they were local and the man they sent round to give us a quote clearly knew what he was talking about (all regulations relating to windows, including safety glass for windows at a low level - which the guy from the competition failed to spot). He didn't try to sell us anything, didn't inflate the price so he could offer us a 'special discount', left us a simple brochure in case we wanted any extra details, and never once tried to patronise or pressure us into doing anything. It took him about 10 mins to measure the windows and another 5 to note details of the guttering I wanted replacing. Then, he was away and we got a detailed quote through the post. (A few years ago, when we were getting quotes from the big firms like Anglian, you had to fight the salesman off with armed weapons - they never told you what you actually wanted to know and pressured you like mad to sign on the dotted line)

Three or four weeks after they'd installed the windows (done by friendly workmen who did a good job and cleaned up afterwards), we realised one of them had a bad scratch at eye level (we hadn't noticed earlier as it was the window in the spare bedroom). Panic. After nearly a month, would they try and claim that we'd damaged it ourselves?

The man came round, took a look, measured it up and said it was probably something that happened during the installation and they'd send someone round to replace it in a week or two.

Their advert in Yellow Pages says over 70% of their business comes from personal recommendation. I'm beginning to understand why. If you live anywhere near Dorset, I'd certainly consider them for any work you need doing on the home.