Frequently asked questions

A new aluminium shopfront is £2,495 to £7,995 ex VAT for a typical 3 to 5 m frontage. Timber, frameless and heritage fronts are priced differently, and glass, structure and access all affect the figure. You get a free survey and a written fixed quote before you commit.

Typically three to six weeks to make an aluminium front and two to four days to fit it, once consents are in place. Those are typical ranges only. Timber, curved glass and listed buildings all take longer, and your quote confirms the timing.

Yes, in most cases, because out-of-hours, overnight and weekend fitting can be arranged. We agree the order of work at the survey and leave the opening secure at the end of each shift. Some structural jobs do need a short closure.

Choose aluminium for most modern units and timber for period buildings. Aluminium is slim and low in upkeep, while timber suits listed buildings and conservation areas, where councils often expect it. We can price both at the survey if the building could take either.

We measure the opening, check the structure and talk through glass, signs, security and access. We also look at whether consents are likely to be needed. You then receive a written fixed quote that lists what is included and what is not.

Yes, if they are sound. A refurbishment can keep the frame and replace the glass, door gear, fascia or finish. A full refurbishment is £1,495 to £6,995 ex VAT depending on what is kept, and it comes with the same free survey and written fixed quote as a new front.

Removal is part of most replacement jobs, and the written quote states exactly what is included. If the building needs making good afterwards, or the old front contains hazardous materials, we show that as a separate item so you can see the cost.

Usually yes, if you rent. Most commercial leases control alterations and signs, so check yours and ask the landlord or agent in writing. We can supply drawings and a written scope for you to send with your request.

Call our 24/7 emergency line on 0800 088 6341. It covers break-ins, smashed glass and boarding up, and we'll tell you the arrival time when you call. Keep people away from the glass, and report any crime to the police as well.

Emergency boarding is £195 to £495 ex VAT per opening. The figure depends on the size of the opening, its height and access to the site. We explain the cost when you call, and you get an invoice that you can pass to your insurer.

A repair starts with a charged diagnostic visit, from £125 ex VAT, and we tell you the cost before we come out. The technician finds the fault and prices the fix, so you can decide whether to go ahead. Free surveys apply only to new shopfronts and full refurbishments.

The usual causes are a worn door closer, a failing floor spring or a door that has dropped on its pivot. Adjusting may be enough. A closer repair is £145 to £345 ex VAT per closer, and a floor spring repair is £295 to £695 ex VAT per floor spring.

Mist between the panes means the seal has failed and moisture has got into the unit. The frame can usually stay, and cleaning the glass will not clear it. Replacing a misted sealed unit is £165 to £695 ex VAT per sealed unit.

Yes, most stuck shutters can be repaired. Typical causes are a damaged lath, a failed motor or a bent guide rail. The repair itself is usually £125 to £695 ex VAT for most repairs, and any visit charge is confirmed first. Do not force a jammed curtain, because that can do more damage and can be dangerous.

Check that nothing is blocking the sensors or the track, then stop using the door if it behaves unpredictably. Faulty sensors, belts and controllers are common causes. Automatic door repairs are £165 to £895 ex VAT for most repairs, and BS EN 16005 is the safety standard to work to.

Yes, damaged locks and cylinders can be repaired or replaced, and a lock repair is £125 to £345 ex VAT per lock. If the door cannot be secured, ring the 24/7 emergency line, and keep the police crime reference number for your insurer.

In England, usually yes, if the new front materially changes how the building looks. Like-for-like repair usually does not need it. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own planning systems, so check the position with your council.

Sometimes. In England, many unlit signs have deemed consent, but most illuminated signs need express consent, especially in conservation areas. A sign on a listed building usually needs listed building consent too. Other UK nations have their own regulations.

External shutters often do in England, and internal ones generally do not. Councils tend to prefer open grilles to solid curtains. Policies differ between councils and across the rest of the UK, so ask yours before you order.

Yes, we can help with planning, advertisement consent and listed building applications by preparing the drawings. The council makes the decision, so nobody can promise the outcome. We tell you at the survey which consents you are likely to need.

Not automatically. In England, Wales and Scotland, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments, which may include a ramp or other changes. Northern Ireland has separate disability law. What is reasonable depends on the premises and the cost.

A shop door should have safety glass, either toughened or laminated. In England, Approved Document K treats glass in a door up to 1500 mm as a critical location. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own guidance, and laminated glass adds security.

It can do, especially if the work touches structure, access, fire escape or safety glazing. England uses Approved Documents, Scotland uses building warrants and Northern Ireland has its Technical Booklets. Ask your council's building control team before work starts.

Yes, in most commercial entrances. In England, Approved Document K looks for manifestation at 850 to 1000 mm and 1400 to 1600 mm above the floor, so that people can see the glass. Frosted bands, patterns or logos can all do the job.

No, our guide prices exclude VAT unless stated. They cover supply and fitting for a typical job. Your written quote shows the VAT clearly, so you can see the total amount before you decide whether to go ahead.

Payment terms are set out on each written quote. They can vary with the size and type of the job, so read them before you accept. If anything is unclear, ask us and we will explain it.

Yes, new shopfronts and full refurbishments get a written fixed quote after a free survey. The price covers the work described. If you change the scope, or hidden problems appear, we agree any change with you in writing first.

The survey is free for new shopfronts and full refurbishments. Repairs are different, because they begin with a charged diagnostic visit, from £125 ex VAT. We make that cost clear before we come out, so there is no surprise on the day.

A roller shutter is £1,495 to £3,695 ex VAT per shutter. Width, curtain type and whether it is manual or electric set the price. Planning permission may also be needed for an external shutter, and any application costs would be extra.

A fascia sign is £395 to £1,695 ex VAT per sign, and an illuminated sign is £795 to £3,495 ex VAT per sign. Size, lettering and lighting affect the price, and a lit sign may need a council application. We confirm what you need in the written quote.

Replacing a pane is £195 to £895 ex VAT per pane. The size, thickness and type of glass set the price, and very large panes can need lifting equipment. We give you the cost for your pane once it has been measured.

ShopFronts UK is the whole-shopfront site from S&K Glazing Limited, based in Birmingham. One contractor covers everything on a shopfront, from a broken lock or smashed pane to a full new frontage, in every material.

We cover the whole of the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Work in Northern Ireland, on islands and in remote areas is by arrangement, so give us the address when you enquire and we will confirm what is possible.

We give a 10-year guarantee on our workmanship. Products, motors and glass units are covered by their manufacturers' warranties, and your quote shows what applies. Keep your paperwork, because you may need it for a warranty claim.

The work is carried out by fitting teams working under S&K Glazing. You deal with one contractor for the survey, the quote and the fitting, and we agree access, working hours and any out-of-hours arrangements with you before the job starts.

Yes. Each site gets its own survey and written quote, and a maintenance plan can cover doors, shutters and signs, at £295 to £995 ex VAT per site per year. That keeps repairs, records and contacts in one place across your estate.