Door hung wrong way - my rights?

Avoriaz

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?

Yes.

The builder is the professional and has the responsibility to advise you properly and carry out work in a logical and sensible manner.

Reversing a door is somewhat unusual and he should have clearly highlighted any potential problems.

Having said all that, if he is someone you use regularly and he normally does satisfactory work, you may want to try to reach some acceptable compromise.

Good luck.

londonTiger

independent tradesmen need to realise it's more cost effective and profitable for them to be a specialist in one area than to be a jack of all trades.

This is what happens when you try to be a jack of all trades - you make silly oversights like that.

OP, frankly I don't think you should pay a penny. But it sounds like you have built up a relationship and don't want to force the loss on him. But that's entirely down to you.

cyclonebri1

Yet another situation where the OP states one thing and the other party states another arrangement, no one on here can reasonably say who was wrong, the builder can't even have his say.

What is clear;

Something went wrong.

The result is a perfectly acceptable job, bar it opens the wrong way.


So, by even suggesting option 2 you have accepted that it was a joint mix up, you actually said that,;);)


What would I do?;

It would depend on several things, mainly could I live with it as it is?, given that he will move the electrics.

And will I be using him in the future?, that has 2 implications, he may be more amenable if there is more work to come. OR, he may concede now and factor the costs or reparation in with further work.

Have you paid him by the way?, makes a difference

cyclonebri1

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

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

And this is where it all goes wrong, face on? from the inside or the outside? sorry but without that clarification face on is meaningless and worthless.

Plan views and elevations derived from that are the only cast iron ways of looking at any drawing as a plan is a plan, a view from above, no one looks from underneath:D:D

timjim

baldwindowfitter said

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

thebaldwindowfitter

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

And this is where it all goes wrong, face on? from the inside or the outside? sorry but without that clarification face on is meaningless and worthless.

Plan views and elevations derived from that are the only cast iron ways of looking at any drawing as a plan is a plan, a view from above, no one looks from underneath:D:D

our order forms clearly state all viewed from OUTSIDE to avoid such confusion directly above where the customer signs

londonTiger

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Yet another situation where the OP states one thing and the other party states another arrangement, no one on here can reasonably say who was wrong, the builder can't even have his say.

What is clear;

Something went wrong.

The result is a perfectly acceptable job, bar it opens the wrong way.


So, by even suggesting option 2 you have accepted that it was a joint mix up, you actually said that,;);)


What would I do?;

It would depend on several things, mainly could I live with it as it is?, given that he will move the electrics.

And will I be using him in the future?, that has 2 implications, he may be more amenable if there is more work to come. OR, he may concede now and factor the costs or reparation in with further work.

Have you paid him by the way?, makes a difference

nope, i do consulting for clients (IT - not building related), if a client makes a request to me which would go against everything else that already been set up and designed to work in a paticular way. i will always raise this point and get clarification before doing anyything. The build should have noticed that

1) light switch is on the opposite side
2) hinges are on the oppositie side
3) door lock jams (I think thats what they're called) are on the opposite side.

And would have approached the owner and ask them are you SURE you want the doors put in this way round because the previous door was the other way.

I have no idea what got into the dealers head and decide to create new cavaties into the door frame to put the lock jams in and cut out slots for the hunges.

keystone

Suspect c o c k up when ordering new door and frame and on delivery frame was fitted before attempting to drop door onto hinges. Alr=teratively numpty fitted frame wrong way round and only realised when it came to hanging the door. In either case builder chooses to try and bluff it out rather than incur costs correcting it. Down to the builder IMO.

Cheers

ellielovesem

Thanks for the further advice everyone.

Just to clear up a few things. I've had a whole new frame fitted, side panels, top panel and door. If the door is to be hung the correct way it means a whole new frame, everything.

At the moment I'm waiting for him to get back to me for him to show me the paperwork to see if I need to take any of the blame for this. My thoughts are that this is not my fault as I didn't see or sign a diagram and the quote doesn't mention anything about the door hanging but I need to see his paper trail to confirm this.

I haven't paid him as the job isn't complete either way. The whole thing needs replacing or the electrics need moving so something still needs to be done.

As time has moved on I have decided that I don't want the electrics moving and that I want the door to open the correct way so that is the route I am going down, now we see who pays what.

I have another option which I would welcome thoughts on. If he doesn't have signed proof I wanted it the other way and won't accept blame and pay for a replacement can I actually go straight to the supplier myself (local place up the road, have bought windows from them) and order it, have them fit it and then he can take away the current frame etc as obviously it is his property if I haven't paid for it? Just a thought.

I've been happy with other work that he has done but probably won't be needing any further work done for a while so won't be using him again. Even though we have built up a relationship I still don't think I should pay for his mess up as business is business.

All thoughts welcome and I will keep you updated of any progress.

thebaldwindowfitter

If he had the proof you would have seen it by now 7 days have passed .what he has done is ordered the door viewed from inside and the manufacturer makes it from outside view it is his fault .Yes you can go elsewhere and not pay for the door he has fitted but i would try and have him do it but only if you have been happy with his work