HELP Double Glazing dispute-Advice needed

explorer2190

I hope someone can help.
I had all my windows and doors replaced by a firm associated to the GGf scheme in June 2011 .

I need some advise as to My legal rights. In particular:

My rights for the company to pay for a new installation as they have refused to put the faults right and have also damaged my property.

My rights with a legal services protection insurance solicitor who says that I should pay the £1000 and claim through the GGF ombudsman scheme????? and pay £700 for a specialist survey ( The insurance covers the cost of a specialist report if there is a 51% chance of success but she thinks it is not above 51% )

The GGF insurance in not in place as I retained £1000

When the 'A' rated installation was finished I was happy with the work and retained £1000 as a window was missing and needed to be ordered and fitted later. Some poorly fitting internal beading also needed to be replaced. I also wanted to ensure the job was ok.

That week I found several faults and provided a fault sheet to the company so these could be remedied when the new window came.
A week later the fitter came, annoyed about the fault list and refused to remedy all the faults but said another engineer would come later.
To cut a long story short, the company refused to put the faults right and said they would take action to recover the money. THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO DATE.

I have subsequently found out the installation is appalling with the most serious fault being the structural bay poles are not fitted properly (They are angled so you can see inside them as they rest on the upvc sill)

The patio doors are oversized and not supported sufficiently. The wood effect has extensive scratching with many sharp edges on corners. One frame had possibly a screw put in internally, that has bulged the external frame surface liffting the wood effect.

Internally the frames have been scratched and seals torn through screwing in the frames and hinges.

Many of the seals are torn on the corners with some

There are many more promlems I do not wish to bore you with.

I have had many requotes by other companies who will not repair the job as they will not give the 10 year guarantee I need. All quotes are above the price I aggreed with the original installer.

My belief from what installers have told me are that many of the units will need replacing as they are not repairable
I also do not want the original installers back as they have damaged my home (broken new drain cover, brown mastic dawbed on render, handmarks on walls and snooping in my wardrobes)
I also do not want the installers rewarded for ignoring me up to now in the hope I will go away???

PLEASE HELP ME AS I THOUGHT I DID ALL THE RIGHT RESEARCH TO GET THE BEST INTALLERS AND PROPER INSURANCE FOR DISPUTES

bris

It looks like you will need legal advice and court action to deal with this problem. If the original installers are not going to fix the problems, this is your only recourse.
If you paid by credit card or a finace agreement you should contact them straight away as they are jointly liable.

explorer2190

I am already using the solicitor (Paid for under legal insurance). I feel I am getting no better service than a no win no fee solicitor despite paying for this service. I read in the terms the legal insurance get a £250 referrel fee?????????????

bris

You won't get a no win no fee solicitor to take it on. They only deal with 100% certainties in the personal injuries claims.
The biggest problem you have is that you could be throwing good money away after bad, even if you do win, and with what you are saying this shouldn't be a problem, the company may still not pay up, the cowboys never do, millions of ccj's go unpaid.

There is not a lot a solicitor can do, they will write threatening letters on your behalf, when they fail they will start legal proceedings, push them to start the legal proceedings and get it to court.

Timalay

One thing I would recomend is getting some form of independent surveyor report to asess the work, would probably help you in court if you go down that route.

explorer2190

Thanks for your replies so for.
I think what I really need is some advice about my legal rights.
1. As the baypoles are structural and have been fitted incorrectly, does this go beyond contract law as it makes the building dangerous.
2. If the company has already refused to put the problems right on 2 occassions, do they not lose the right to do it to avoid risk of court action several months later.
3. Am I not entitled to a full refund due to breach of contract??

explorer2190

I have got a solicitor on this through legal cover but she seems to be trying to avoid paying for the independent surveyor which is allowed under the insurance. I am not inclined to use the GGF surveyer because
1. I am not convinced as to their independence
2. They want £700