conservatory question

gazpacho_uk

We are having a conservatory built and are at the first stage where the size (4m x 4m), extras and price were agreed. The agreement was signed and a deposit (£3000) paid.
A few days after the salesmans visit, the surveyor came to look at the location where the conservatory will be positioned and he has informed us that the conservatory size can only be 3m x 4m. To cut a long story short, the conservatory company are refusing to reduce the price even though we are now losing floor space.

Can anyone help or suggest where to go from here ? Should I halt the process now before any work begins ?

cyclonebri1

The answer is yes, well at least I would.

I would put them on hold and get quotes from elsewhere for the reduced size build. That should get a reaction, BUT, you haven't said why they can't go to your original size?????

If they have hit drainworks or similar, then ok, they have worked to a plan that didn't work, but, only amateurs would commit to size before a proper sight survey or simple ground works.
By that I mean the plastic itself should still be on the drawing board, not in production.

Why the needed change in size???, and probably more importantly, did they survey the site?, if so, they should take the hit, not you.

gazpacho_uk

They have just offered to put argon glass in the roof glass by way of compensation. I have no idea of the cost of this glass and what the cost of a 3m x 4m conservatory would cost . The reason they cannot now do the 4m width is because of a drain coming down the wall of the house......I can see this being a bit of a headache !

cyclonebri1

gazpacho_uk wrote: »

They have just offered to put argon glass in the roof glass by way of compensation. I have no idea of the cost of this glass and what the cost of a 3m x 4m conservatory would cost ...... I can see this being a bit of a headache !

But why can't they go original size??, and did they site visit first??

Again, get quick quotes for the argon glass for a reduced size cons, and see iff that equates to much compensation.

IE keep it on hold until you are happy to continue with them.

And again yes, if they have cocked up on the basic quote, get ready for more issues

gazpacho_uk

Sorry ... I edited my last post to include why they cannot now do 4m x 4m

Dan-Dan

Surley the drainpipe can be rerouted accordingly?

cyclonebri1

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Surley the drainpipe can be rerouted accordingly?

I'm guessing it's a foul drain or rain water drain into the foul main?

But the question still stands, did they do a site survey???(sorry, not being impolite, just trying to stress that this point is why you have an argument, if they did).

gazpacho_uk

They have not offered that option Dan. The surveyors report has gone back to them with the recomendation of 3m x 4m. they are in fact expecting to move a manhole out of the way of where the conservatory will go and that is in the plans, but no option to move the drain pipe on the wall

gazpacho_uk

Cyclone. The drainpipe on the wall is a foul drain only (from two bathrooms). The initial salesman had his tape measure out and took photographs. The surveyor again seemed to know what he was doing and made drawings and calculations during his visit

cyclonebri1

gazpacho_uk wrote: »

Cyclone. The drainpipe on the wall is a foul drain only (from two bathrooms). The initial salesman had his tape measure out and took photographs. The surveyor again seemed to know what he was doing and made drawings and calculations during his visit

So they have upcocked, press them for their error as far as you can, you should not be out of pocket for this.:T:T:T

Also, conservatories are often built over foul drain manholes, it just means the floor has to have an access to the drain, quite doable

leveller2911

gazpacho_uk wrote: »

They have just offered to put argon glass in the roof glass by way of compensation

. I have no idea of the cost of this glass and what the cost of a 3m x 4m conservatory would cost . The reason they cannot now do the 4m width is because of a drain coming down the wall of the house......I can see this being a bit of a headache !

Do you mean Argon gas filled units on the roof?. Most glass units need to be filled with gas to comply with Building regulations so I'm not sure they are "compensating" you at all.

Most glass units are Low E glass filled with Argon gas. Argon is the cheapest gas that units are filled with. I'm currently paying £2.50 (per square metre of glass unit) for Argon gas so a back of a fag paper calculation is its only costing them £30-00.......


Other gases used are Krypton which is much better but more expensive and Xenon which is best but very,very,very expensive.

I would consider giving the company a very wide berth if I were you.....