Window problem.

theshoefairy

This may sound like a bit of a loopy idea but right now it's all I can think of.

We had windows installed in our house and ever since, we have had nothing but problems with them. Draughts, condensation between the sealed glass unit and rain coming in and settling on the window sill to name a few. We believe the windows were measured incorrectly.

We have tried everything imaginable but nowhere seems to be able to help us.

As a last attempt, I was wondering about writing to the window company asking for either replacements or a refund and if not, I will be photographing the state of our windows (they really look a mess) and printing leaflets stating who carried out the work and posting them through letterboxes all over my area.

What would you think the outcome of this would be? Any advice would be appreciated.

missprice

when were they installed?
can you actually see a gap between window frame and wall?

who have you contacted already?

i had a problem with one of my new doors because the sun expanded it for long chunks of the day
i called co out twice to fix it and they did
have you given company a chance to make it right ?

trading standards is prob way to go if you already tried the company

theshoefairy

They were installed in 1999 and this has been ongoing since then. I have wrote numerous letters to them and made numerous telephone calls. They have been out to "fix" the windows many times and all the have actually done is piped more and more filler around the windows and it looks awful.

When the trims are taken off, you can see daylight through the gap between the window frame and wall. They actually stuffed newspaper in the gaps. Reams and reams of it.

We have been everywhere. Trading Standards, CAB, UK Trades, FENSA and even a solicitor. The proceedings were going along with the solicitor until the window company wrote a letter to the solicitors stating that they are also a customer of theirs and it is a conflict of interests.

I am just at a loss as to what to do.

missprice

problem now is how long ago they were installed. when did the problems start/were noticed?

did they come with e.g. 20 year guarantee?

did you send all your letters recorded and keep the recorded reciept? even as far back as 1999?

could you not just get another solicitor?
they sound really badly fitted, wrongly measured and not fit for purpose
what exactly do you want?
new windows properly measured and fitted?
refund?


i have had success with a co on my nearly mothers behalf who did similar thing shoved newspaper in the gap, but it was discovered only 3 months later not years.

theshoefairy

Thanks for the advice.

We actually started complaining very soon after they were fitted. They kept sending people out to fix them but none of it worked.

We have copies of all the letters we sent and received. A lot of the time they didn't even respond to us.

There was a 10yr guarantee but we were told by TS that that is irrelevant because we started complaining before the 10 yrs was up.

Today we had a quote from a different window co and they man said that they are some of the worst windows he has ever seen.

I would like a refund because I really don't feel the company is capable of doing a decent job. We have also just agreed to get our windows re-done by a new company.

I suppose I would be willing to take a refund of two thirds of the price or even half. Just need a way of scaring them into giving us one because nothing else seems to be working.

Is it illegal to write and tell them that I am going to put the windows on show to the general public and post leaflets and the like?

missprice

theshoefairy wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

We actually started complaining very soon after they were fitted. They kept sending people out to fix them but none of it worked.

We have copies of all the letters we sent and received. A lot of the time they didn't even respond to us.

There was a 10yr guarantee but we were told by TS that that is irrelevant because we started complaining before the 10 yrs was up.

Today we had a quote from a different window co and they man said that they are some of the worst windows he has ever seen.
there is something about tradesmen and them saying these kind of things
have you got refernces from this new company
have you been given addresses of other customers to go see what the work was like
have you checked them out on TS website and locally and on web
do they have a good reputation
have they been in business for years

I would like a refund because I really don't feel the company is capable of doing a decent job. We have also just agreed to get out windows re-done by this new company.

I suppose I would be willing to take a refund of two thirds of the price or even half. Just need a way of scaring them into giving us one because nothing else seems to be working.
only way i know of scaring them into paying up is take them to court
doesnt cost much i think $15(dunno where my pound sign gone) to start court proceedings in small claims court
just go to your local court and ask for help in starting this, they are usually great and help with the paperwork
dont need a solicitor

Is it illegal to write and tell them that I am going to put the windows on show to the general public and post leaflets and the like?

dont know if this is illegal to be honest but its not against the law to advise everyone you know to never use them.

just like the other way round and if you had good service you give out the name and praise them, but you wouldnt put an advert out for that would you?

ETA quick look at advertising law
as long as its truthful your ok
but if they could find 20 customers that are happy with their windows , your advert would not be truthful (i think)
so the way its worded is very important and it looks complex so i would not hand out flyers if it were me