Zenith Bowater, any reviews ?

snaffler

We recently had a door call from Zenith Bowater asking if we wanted to check out what they called offer us regarding Facia Boards and guttering, a nice guy called round today, the work looks good and seems like they would do a good job.

BUT ! I am from a family who has a few retired folk who have been in the UPVC trade and the quoted price seems very high, first off I have a good understanding and know how of how this job is done so I have already considered doing this myself, I priced it up with materials around the £400 mark and that was for good quality products.

But ZB quoted with fitting and VAT £3750 then they said if you are a show home lets us take photos and sign up asap we can knock off £ this bought the total to £2500 !!!!

All sound very fishy to me...

Any help or tips would be great and thankfully recieved.

Tahiti

We've had quotes very recently between £2400 and £3700 for fascias, soffits, guttering and downpipes on a 4 bed detached. A colleague of mine doesn't like Zenith after they didn't do quite the job she was hoping they'd do so I'd say they're not infallible.

Can you genuinely get the materials (comparable) for £400? If yes, then there's a lot of people in the trade around my neck of the woods that are making a fortune!!

abwsco

Personally I won't use anyone who employs door to door salesman.

You'd be best geting quotes off local independant companies. If you don't know any have a look around your neighbourhood and see if you see any houses that have had facias etc done in UPVC that look good, then ask who did the job for them.

MJMum

How big is your house?

We paid approx. £3k last April for new roofline (fascias\sofits + cladding on porch) and new guttering on a 4 bed detached house in the SE.

We chose a small outfit, local guy who set up on his own after CosyHome went under, and he gave us a list of previous customers where we could go round and view his work before we signed up (which was part of the deal that we, in turn, would show 1 set of people round our house). We actually looked at 2 places because we bought windows from him too and couldn't decide between designs

I have heard mixed reports about Zenith.

superfly_2

I have done this for a few friends and family, easy enough to do and if you are up to it then go ahead and save yourself a fortune. you are right about the cost of materials, very low compared to the amounts that can be charged. Good luck with it but I'd wait til the weather changes.
HTH

snaffler

Thanks everyone

Tahiti - Can you genuinely get the materials (comparable) for £400? If yes, then there's a lot of people in the trade around my neck of the woods that are making a fortune!!

Yes that is correct + Vat, we have a building platics company in town (Somerset ) that will sell to keen DIY folk no problem, they use good quality plastics and also sell the Euroboards (for full replacement jobs instead of capping)

A few have asked my house size, its a 2 bed house with a back and front fascias sofits and guttering to do, no downpipes. Total length back and front around 14 meters at the most, only small.

From reading most of you have had 4 beds done for that price I agree Zenith are fleecing with the quote.

MJMum

PS Mine was a full replacement, I understand "capping" gives you terrible problems in the long run.

misgrace

Dont go with Zenith and bowater, they are famous for ripping people off, and if you decide not to go with them, then you might be getting calls with no one at the other end for sometime after.
You may get more calls from them trying to get you to change your mind, they do have a rep for putting pressure on people, and can turn quite nasty.

They have been on TV numerous times, watchdog, and cowboy builder type programs.
Try and stay clear if you can, unless they have suddenly changed thier ways and become nicer people to deal with.

Madstuthe1st

Do not go with Zenith, I work in one of there call centres a few years ago. Left after 3 days!!! They are a poor company to work for and even worse if your a customer. I spoke to old customers trying to get new business from them and 90% told me where to go as soon as I mention Zenith. The other 10% told me how bad the work was. They even tried to ripp off one of their own workers for a front door!!!!!

vansboy

Bowater Zenith were subject to an 'undercover' & VERRRRRY fair investigation, from our BBC local radio consumer team.

They were recorded missleading & making considerable false claims about their installations & product. The arrogant & unproffessional response from sales 'managers' & the non response from the company itself, would make sure you wouldn't even consider them or their products.

Certainly not the way to go, for ANY company!!

VB