building firm in liquidation and build unfinished.

booty40uk

Yet again the Zig company (Glassbox)has zagged out of business leaving many of us with uncompleted work. Are there any more out there in the same state? So far it has taken 19 months to get to a nearly finished Glassbox and my advice would be to contact a builder with a good track record.I know of one if you are interested>
Maharg Twelve

I used them...................they were s**t

stolt

booty40uk wrote: »

I used them...................they were s**t

who glassbox, did you get your build finished or was you part of glassbox prefab customers?

stolt

received a letter in the post today as confirmation that GLASSBOX PREFAB has gone into liquidation, there is a number on there that suggest that both deposits and guarantees would be protected, yeah rght........... feel really sorry for everyone thats having problems at the hands of glassbox, i know just how you feel

joannafarmer

We'd paid our deposit and were just waiting on planning permission before paying our next instalment - for once, thank god the planning application took ages, because it saved us from taking a very expensive next step! We've been in touch with iwa re: the deposit protection, and what happens next. I don't have a huge amount of confidence in iwa being able to fulfil the part about "finding another contractor to complete the work" - it was clear from the way they handled our claim that they do not really understand the specification of a glassbox extension - they sent our plans to Countrywide who are essentially a conservatory company. Luckily we hadn't gone any further than the deposit stage but I'm still really disappointed not to be able to go ahead - it sounds like the people who have been lucky enough to have their orders fulfilled have been really happy.
We were really wary about signing in the first place because of the history of the company but the iwa policy gave us confidence and we loved the product - it's unique and there is clearly a market for it. Have asked the iwa to refund our deposit so we can start again with plans for a more conventional build, which is a shame, but it could be worse. I'm sorry for all those who are part-way through a build when this happened - it's cr*p for everyone.

stolt

joannafarmer wrote: »

We'd paid our deposit and were just waiting on planning permission before paying our next instalment - for once, thank god the planning application took ages, because it saved us from taking a very expensive next step! We've been in touch with iwa re: the deposit protection, and what happens next. I don't have a huge amount of confidence in iwa being able to fulfil the part about "finding another contractor to complete the work" - it was clear from the way they handled our claim that they do not really understand the specification of a glassbox extension - they sent our plans to Countrywide who are essentially a conservatory company. Luckily we hadn't gone any further than the deposit stage but I'm still really disappointed not to be able to go ahead - it sounds like the people who have been lucky enough to have their orders fulfilled have been really happy.
We were really wary about signing in the first place because of the history of the company but the iwa policy gave us confidence and we loved the product - it's unique and there is clearly a market for it. Have asked the iwa to refund our deposit so we can start again with plans for a more conventional build, which is a shame, but it could be worse. I'm sorry for all those who are part-way through a build when this happened - it's cr*p for everyone.

hi yeah i agree about the product, still got load sof issues with mine, I just wish it was that simple. true i think your going to struggle to find someone that will supply the parts to the same spec, although to be honest its all chipboard construction anyway, i was quite shocked when i saw ours before it was clad etc. Good luck with the deposit, I had a horrible feeling that you were going to say there werent a member of IWA first and that the deposits werent protected but at least they done that. Especially as his first and second company went bust i'm surprised they would want to entertain Zig chowdry any further, although I know it wasnt a director on the glassbox prefab company so i guess thats how they got around that one. Likeyou say disapointing for you but could have been a whole lot worse, it made my missus ill with worry when we had it all the first time around.

gwb364

Hi, sorry to hear about your supplier going bust. I've been a conservatory surveyor for 20yrs if you need any advice please ask! there is a huge difference in quality between different companies. i've been measuring for numerous replacement units damaged by the snow. Use a company that has BBA approval on the whole structure, not just the roof or frames, ask to see there BBA certificate. good luck!! gb

joannafarmer

@Stolt - really sorry to hear about the problems you had, and the impact on your family. The irony is that one of the selling points for me (besides the product) was the 'all inclusive' project management that was part of the contract - we both work full time and have 2 young kids so it was ideal for us to have someone else manage the logistics.

I don't know how your conversation went with Zig when he called to break the news, but I very much got the impression he was wanting to start up again - soon - and it really wouldn't surprise me if he did. He seems tenacious enough, he's found a niche and if an investor were to base their decision on his order book it probably looks like it's got legs. I get the impression if you've got the investment there is very little to stop you setting up again after something like this.

Good luck with sorting it all out.

Joanna

stolt

joannafarmer wrote: »

@Stolt - really sorry to hear about the problems you had, and the impact on your family. The irony is that one of the selling points for me (besides the product) was the 'all inclusive' project management that was part of the contract - we both work full time and have 2 young kids so it was ideal for us to have someone else manage the logistics.

I don't know how your conversation went with Zig when he called to break the news, but I very much got the impression he was wanting to start up again - soon - and it really wouldn't surprise me if he did. He seems tenacious enough, he's found a niche and if an investor were to base their decision on his order book it probably looks like it's got legs. I get the impression if you've got the investment there is very little to stop you setting up again after something like this.

Good luck with sorting it all out.

Joanna

hi joanna thans, i don't know what the company was like project managing yours but with ours they were hopeless, my wife as on the ball and stop so many silly mistakes. as usual the office didnt have a clue. surveyor was a total drip. we have three young girls and the youngest at a year old was diagnoised with arthritis and was in and out of great ormand street and the last thing my wife needed was the stress of glassbox ripping us off, total nightmare, stay well clear of zig chowdry and his companies.

product is good, if not overprice for what basically is a chipboard box, dont get me wrong i love ours despite all the issues we have we it currently.

I have no doubt that Zig will try to find another investor set up again and start ripping more people off, got no time or the man after all the spill he gave me, lied to me too many times. Be on his case, he has to advertise for his future work and i'm there 5 disgruntled customers that are willing to help track down his next adventure and BBC rogue traders were wanting to do a bit but stupidly i listened to zig and say there was a mistake. wont be doing it again...

when i originally had our issues in 2009/2010 when glassbox was searched his website was first then my threads were second, kills any investors wanting to chance there money!!!:):)


oh and Zig when you read this.... you never did call me back to fix my leaking glassbox roof that your dodgy workman messed up.

You know where i am, but i'm not wanting you back to fix it this time, i dont dare let you or your companies make an even bigger mess of it..

emob

Hi

We also have been stung by Glassbox, Glassbox Prefab. Parting with a deposit in March 2010, the company has been stringing us along for over 12 months. Until we finally received the letter in the post this month, stating that they have ceased to trade.

We were then posted the insurance certificate which appears to have expired 90 days after the deposit payment was made.

I have done some research and there are a number of names associated with both companies which i would suggest other current and potential future customers look out for, although Zig Chowdry appears to be the common thread.

One credit check shows he has been a director of 15 different companies in the past.

I would urge anyone looking into a project of this type - do some thorough research before parting with any money.

stolt

will be keeping a eye out for his new ventures.... twice hes strung me along acting all innocent and that he's trying to do his best. hes a a con man no other word for it... hell turn up again thats if he can find someone stupid enough to invest in his projects.... he cant manged a business he isnt bright enough....


come and talk to be zig, i know you read these forums!!!!:):) (he really does aswell, he told me once when his fitters were googling the company), ive tried to contact you but funnily enough your number no longer exsists so i cant contact you, however you have my number!!!