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How to Choose Between Kettell Windows vs Betts Glass and Glazing
Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Quick Summary
Kettell Windows suits homeowners wanting straightforward replacement windows and doors, while Betts Glass and Glazing fits jobs that mix replacement glass with installation work. Neither firm publishes a full itemised price list, so put the same brief to both and compare itemised quotes line by line.
- Kettell Windows presents itself as a window specialist rather than a general builder.
- Betts Glass and Glazing suits part-repair jobs where frames are sound and only units need swapping.
- A quote given over the phone without a survey is the most common source of disputes.
- Ask for the unit make, gas fill, spacer type and manufacturer warranty in writing.
- No large deposit should be paid before a survey is completed.
Table of Contents
- Kettell Windows vs Betts Glass and Glazing: What Each One Actually Offers
- Kettell Windows at a glance
- Betts Glass and Glazing at a glance
- A Side-by-Side Comparison Table
- How to Compare Double Glazing Companies on More Than Price
- What a Fair Glazing Company Quotes Process Should Include
- The Questions to Ask a Window Installer Before You Sign
- Double-Glazed Window Replacement Cost: What Drives the Figure
- Repair or Replace: Deciding What Your Windows Need
- Request a Free Quote for Your Windows and Doors
- Frequently Asked Questions
Kettell Windows vs Betts Glass and Glazing: What Each One Actually Offers
Choosing between Kettell Windows vs Betts Glass and Glazing comes down to one question: which firm fits the job you actually have?
At JJ's Glass & Glazing, we fit and repair glazing across Leicester and Leicestershire, so we know how thin most comparisons of local firms really are.
A word of honesty first: neither firm publishes a full, itemised price list, and independent review evidence for both is scattered across directories rather than gathered in one place.
Kettell Windows at a glance
Kettell Windows operates as a local window company covering Leicester and the surrounding towns, with a focus on replacement windows and doors for homeowners.
What most guides miss is that a specialist's value shows up in the survey, not the showroom.
Best for: homeowners who want a straightforward replacement of standard windows and doors. Skip if: you need emergency glazing today or a mixed job covering glass repair, locks and splashbacks in one visit.
Betts Glass and Glazing at a glance
That breadth matters when a job is part-repair. If two units have failed but the frames are sound, a glass-led business may quote for units alone. A window-led business may push towards full replacement.
Best for: jobs that mix replacement glass with installation work. Skip if: you want one firm to also cover security locks, mirrors and interior glass in the same booking.
A Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Most comparison tables for glazing firms are built from brochure claims. This one is built from what each business actually publishes and what you can verify yourself before you call.
| Comparison point | Kettell Windows | Betts Glass and Glazing | How to verify it yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Replacement windows and doors for homeowners | Glass supply, sealed units and domestic glazing alongside window fitting | Check the services page and ask which work is done in-house versus subcontracted |
| Domestic glazing | Yes | Yes | Ask whether survey, fitting and making good are all included |
| Replacement sealed units | Available via supply chain | Likely cut in-house or direct from a supplier | Ask for the unit make, gas fill, spacer type and manufacturer warranty in writing |
| Commercial glazing | Confirm directly | Confirm directly | Ask for two recent shopfront or office references |
| Emergency callout | Confirm directly | Confirm directly | Get the response window in writing, not on the phone |
| Written quote detail | Request itemised | Request itemised | Insist products, labour, disposal and making good are listed separately |
| Workmanship guarantee | Request the term in writing | Request the term in writing | Confirm years, what voids it, and whether it matches the unit manufacturer's term |
| Competent person scheme | Confirm registration | Confirm registration | Ask for the certificate number and check it on the scheme's public register |
| Review evidence | Check directories for dated, specific reviews | Check directories for dated, specific reviews | Read the most recent 12 months, not the headline star rating |
| Deposit and payment schedule | Request in writing | Request in writing | No large deposit before survey; stage payments tied to milestones |
The pattern across local glazing is consistent: the firms that answer these questions clearly before you pay a deposit are the ones that answer them clearly after. A firm that cannot produce a certificate number or a dated review on request is telling you something useful.
How to Compare Double Glazing Companies on More Than Price
Comparing double glazing companies on price alone is the fastest way to end up with units that mist over within a few winters. The figure on the quote tells you what you pay.
Work through four layers instead:
- Product specification. Ask for the unit make-up: glass type, cavity width, gas fill, spacer bar material and frame profile. A quote that names none of these is a quote you cannot compare.
- Survey quality. A proper survey records opening sizes, sill condition, drainage and any structural issues. A five-minute measure-up is a warning sign.
- Scope of works. Confirm whether the price includes removal, disposal, making good, internal trims and external sealing.
- Aftercare. Get the workmanship guarantee term and the unit manufacturer's guarantee in writing, and check whether they run for the same period.
Energy performance is where specification earns its keep. Well-fitted units with a decent cavity and warm-edge spacers hold heat better and cut outside noise, which matters on busy roads.
What a Fair Glazing Company Quotes Process Should Include
A fair glazing quote is itemised, dated and conditional on a survey. Anything less is an estimate dressed up as a price.
Here is the process we would expect from any glazing company worth hiring:
- Initial call to understand the job, the property type and your timescale.
- Survey visit where measurements, access and condition are recorded.
- Written quote listing products, quantities, labour, disposal and making good separately.
- Clarification of guarantee terms and payment schedule, with no large deposit before survey.
- Confirmed start date and expected duration, in writing.
Watch out: a quote given over the phone without a survey is the single most common source of disputes in this trade.
For a sense of what a proper enquiry looks like, you can request a quote and see the details a glazing firm needs from you before it can price accurately.
The Questions to Ask a Window Installer Before You Sign
The questions to ask a window installer should cover specification, guarantees, timelines and who actually does the work. Ask them before any deposit changes hands, and ask for answers in writing.
The list we would take into any meeting:
- Who surveys the job, and who fits it? Subcontractors are common, but you should know.
- What is the exact unit specification, and can I see it in writing?
- How long is the workmanship guarantee, and what voids it?
- What is the lead time from order to fitting, and what causes delays?
If a fitter cannot answer the guarantee question without checking, that is your answer. Our glazing FAQs for Leicester answer common questions on units, repairs and services before you commit.
Double-Glazed Window Replacement Cost: What Drives the Figure
Double-glazed window replacement cost is driven by unit size, glass specification, frame material, access difficulty and how much making good is needed. Condensation is another common cost driver, so it helps to read up on the best ways to prevent window condensation before pricing replacement.
No reputable firm publishes a fixed price list, because every property differs. What you can do is build a like-for-like comparison so the figures mean something.
The main cost drivers, and what to ask about each:
- Size and count. Larger units and higher quantities raise both materials and labour. Ask for a per-window breakdown so you can see where the money goes.
- Glass specification. Acoustic, solar control and toughened glass cost more than standard. Ask for the unit make-up in writing: glass type, cavity width, gas fill and spacer bar material.
- Frame material. uPVC, aluminium and timber carry different prices and maintenance needs. Confirm which profile system is being quoted, not just the material.
- Access. Upper floors, scaffolding and restricted parking add time and equipment. Ask whether access costs are included or listed separately.
- Condition of the opening. Rot, failed seals or out-of-square frames require extra work. A survey should record this before the quote is finalised.
How to build a like-for-like comparison:
- Write a one-page brief: property type, number of windows, approximate sizes, access notes and any known issues.
- Send the identical brief to both firms and ask for an itemised quote conditional on survey.
- Compare the quotes line by line: products, labour, disposal, making good, external sealing and internal trims.
- Check the guarantee terms match the specification, a long workmanship guarantee on a poorly specified unit is worth little.
- Ask each firm to explain any line that differs by more than a small margin from the other quote.
We do not publish fixed prices because every job differs, and any firm quoting a flat figure without seeing the property is guessing.
For a sense of what a proper enquiry looks like, you can request a quote and see the details a glazing firm needs from you before it can price accurately.
Repair or Replace: Deciding What Your Windows Need
Repair beats replacement when the frame is sound and the problem is confined to the glass unit. Replace when the frame has failed, the seals are gone throughout, or the units are old enough that repair stops making economic sense.
Misted glass, blown windows and failed glazing units all point to a seal breach. Our guide on how to fix misted double glazing units covers diagnosis, repair versus replacement and costs. In many cases the frame is fine and only the sealed unit needs swapping, which is quicker and less disruptive than a full window replacement.
Signs that replacement is the better call:
- Frames that are warped, soft or cracked
- Draughts coming through the frame rather than the glass
- Handles, hinges and locks that no longer align or secure properly
- Multiple units failing across the property at once
Request a Free Quote for Your Windows and Doors
The right way to choose between any two glazing firms is to put the same brief to both and compare the answers, not the headline number. Ask for itemised quotes, survey dates and guarantee terms, then judge who gave you the clearer picture.
At JJ's Glass & Glazing, we work across Leicester and Leicestershire on domestic and commercial glazing, from replacement units and glass repairs to bespoke mirrors, splashbacks and high-security locks.
Get started with JJ's Glass & Glazing and get a written, itemised quote based on an actual survey of your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kettell Windows offer the service I need?
Kettell Windows is a local window specialist covering double-glazed window supply and installation, replacement glass for failed units, and repairs to misted or blown windows. Whether it covers your exact job, such as an odd-shaped 1970s frame or a commercial shop front, depends on the survey. Ask for written confirmation of the scope before any deposit is paid, and check the guarantee terms in the same document.
What should a double-glazing quote include?
A usable quote names the glass units and their energy rating, the frame profile and colour, the number of opening sections, handles, hinges and locks, plus whether old units are removed and disposed of. It should state the guarantee length for both glass and labour, a start date and completion estimate, and whether VAT is included. Compare glazing company quotes line by line rather than on the total alone.
How much does replacing double glazing typically cost?
There is no single figure. Double-glazed window replacement cost depends on the number of windows, frame material, glass specification, access at height, and whether you need bespoke sizes. Pricing also shifts with the current cost of glass and frames. Ask each company for an itemised quote so you can see what is driving the number, and treat any unusually low total as a prompt to check what has been left out.
How can I check a window fitter's reviews and credentials?
Look for reviews on more than one platform and read the middling ones, since they usually describe how problems were handled. Ask for the company's registration details, public liability insurance and any competent person scheme membership, then confirm them directly. Request two recent local references you can speak to, and ask what happens if a unit mists up within the guarantee period.
