Door hung wrong way - my rights?

ellielovesem

I've recently had a new front door and surrounding frame fitted. This involved the original doorway wall being taken out at a whole new unit put in.

After it had been fitted the door is actually opening the opposite way to how the old one was, I was at work when it was being done so only noticed this when it was too late. This is not ideal as I wanted it to be the same as the old door and not opening this new way as it blocks the light switches.

In order to rectify this mistake it would mean taking this out and installing a whole new frame and door.

In discussion with the builder regarding this problem he says that we had discussed which way the door would open and we must have got crossed wires for looking from the inside/outside. Also there would have been a diagram with the quote which would have shown these details. I don't recall ever having had this discussion and I definitely didn't receive this diagram so it has turned into a his word against mine thing.

I now have two options. I can keep the door as it is and the builder will move the light switches to the opposite wall at his own cost.

Or I can have a whole new frame and door fitted and me and the builder will split the cost of this new frame and door 50/50 seeing as it is a joint mix up.

Option 1 is okay, I could live with it how it is but I feel this isn't really my mistake and it's not what I originally wanted, a like for like replacement.

Option 2 kind of makes sense but this will be a cost on top of the full cost of the current frame and door that he will take away with him and possibly be able to use again so surely I'm then paying too much?

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this, many thanks

londonTiger

surely anyone fitting would first have a look at how the old door opened and also look at the light switch placement and set the door top open on the side where the lightswitch is.

if the fitters are reputable they will redothe work, if its a small indy they may just try to squirm out of this because they'll most likely need to fit a new door as they've made cuts into the door for locks, hinges and handles already.

londonTiger

regarding diagram, these things should reall be draw birds eye view, clearing show inside/outside the building and should make it abundantly clear which way the door opens, not understanding the drawing is no excuse, if there's ambiguity the fitter needs to clarify this with home owner before doing any work.

by default the fitter would lookat old door fitting and light placement and work out which way the door needs to open. their fault entirely.

londonTiger

ellielovesem wrote: »

Option 1 is okay, I could live with it how it is but I feel this isn't really my mistake and it's not what I originally wanted, a like for like replacement.

Option 2 kind of makes sense but this will be a cost on top of the full cost of the current frame and door that he will take away with him and possibly be able to use again so surely I'm then paying too much?

would you trust them to refit the light switches, make sure the wiring is correct and repaint over the surface? I wouldn't.

ellielovesem

Thanks for your thoughts londonTiger. It was a builder who dealt with it, he's done previous work for me and I went to him rather than straight to the window place as the wall needed removing. It's a family business, I've been mostly happy with the other work.

I would trust them to do the electrics but to be honest it will be a bodge and won't look great as I'm not planning on redecorating the hall anytime soon.

My concern is that if I fight it too much he is potentially going to show up with something that will try and prove I'm in the wrong and I won't have any comeback. I'm a nice person and I don't like to be awkward but the door is going to niggle me each time I use it

warehouse

I recently bought a door and frame from a yard, (it hadn't been fitted but ordered in error), it cost me £225. I'd say the builder sold it to the yard for £150.

Personally I'd split the cost with the builder in this case, but I'd want roughly £150 for the used door and frame from him because that is what he will get for it.

thebaldwindowfitter

we always get a signed order form showing the handing of the door from outside a copy of which the customer keeps this is not a plan view but face on which is what most do in our industry .i would not have the switches moved if you havent signed anything saying the door would be hung the opposite side

ellielovesem

Thanks for your thought thebaldwindowfitter. I think my next move needs to be for him to show me all the paperwork he has and go from there. I know the kind of diagram you're talking about, I had a couple of new windows fitted straight from the same supplier and I had to sign this off. I guess in this instance because the builder ordered it straight from the supplier himself he would have signed it on my behalf.

No light switch moving for the timebeing and also no payment being made!

Avoriaz

ellielovesem wrote: »

...After it had been fitted the door is actually opening the opposite way to how the old one was, I was at work when it was being done so only noticed this when it was too late. This is not ideal as I wanted it to be the same as the old door and not opening this new way as it blocks the light switches.

In discussion with the builder regarding this problem he says that we had discussed which way the door would open and we must have got crossed wires for looking from the inside/outside. Also there would have been a diagram with the quote which would have shown these details. I don't recall ever having had this discussion and I definitely didn't receive this diagram so it has turned into a his word against mine thing.

Logically the new door should open the same way as the old door.

If the builder thought you wanted it reversed he should have been very surprised and very strongly questioned you on that and pointed out the potential problems with light switches etc.

It is clear that he didn't do that. He has now screwed up and is trying to blame you.

This is 100% the fault of the builder in my opinion and therefore 100% down to the builder to put it right.

Unless you can see advantages to keeping the door as it is and moving the light switches, you should insist on the door being correctly installed, even if that means a new door at the builders expense.

My opinion, others may disagree.

ellielovesem

Thanks Avoriaz.

If I can't conclusively prove that I didn't agree to this change (nothing in writing etc) is it still reasonable to expect him to cover the whole cost?

Idiophreak

ellielovesem wrote: »

Thanks Avoriaz.

If I can't conclusively prove that I didn't agree to this change (nothing in writing etc) is it still reasonable to expect him to cover the whole cost?

If you were explicit with him that you wanted a like-for-like replacement - and he can't produce anything you've signed showing the new arrangement - I'd say it's all on the builder. He should have the documentation to protect him - if not, this is going to be a good lesson learnt for him.