How do I know if I'm about to be conned for my conservatory?

Dobbess

I've found a company that seems good - good price, he provided two good references and we've been to see an example which looked good. We said we'd like to sign for it and pay the deposit, but were surprised at the percentage of deposit required - is this normal?

"The payment terms are normally as follows.
40% with order
40% when frames are delivered on site
20% on completion.

The deposit can be paid by cheque/ Credit Card"

Thanks
Dobbess

DaftyDuck

Dobbess wrote: »

I've found a company that seems good - good price, he provided two good references and we've been to see an example which looked good. We said we'd like to sign for it and pay the deposit, but were surprised at the percentage of deposit required - is this normal?

"The payment terms are normally as follows.
40% with order
40% when frames are delivered on site
20% on completion.

The deposit can be paid by cheque/ Credit Card"

Thanks
Dobbess

It's not uncommon to have to pay the bulk before completion, as all that expenditure can affect cash flow for a small company. I'd ask to make it 40-20-40 myself.... but if they accept credit cards, use one and get the extra cover you'd get from section 75. I suspect that'd even help in the case if a 10 year guarantee, should the firm go under.

Dobbess

DaftyDuck wrote: »

It's not uncommon to have to pay the bulk before completion, as all that expenditure can affect cash flow for a small company. I'd ask to make it 40-20-40 myself.... but if they accept credit cards, use one and get the extra cover you'd get from section 75. I suspect that'd even help in the case if a 10 year guarantee, should the firm go under.

Thanks for that. Unfortunately our credit limit is small on our credit card (only £1,700) and the deposit will be about £6000, but perhaps I can pay partially on credit card and the rest by cheque/debit card.

esmerelda98

STOP, STOP, STOP.
You don't need to pay the whole deposit by credit card to get the protection, only about £100, though I would be less embarrassed paying more. (Then paying off the balance in full.) However, a small company may not accept credit cards.

I have to say, having read many, many complaints about conservatories being too cold in winter and too hot in summer I would give serious consideration to whether having one would really meet your needs. If you want a room to use all year round then seriously think about holding off and getting a proper roof with lots of windows all round. Also, my personal experience is that double glazing companies are the work of the devil, though my experience is with one of the nationals. Handle with caution!

Aquamania

Dobbess wrote: »

I've found a company that seems good - good price, he provided two good references and we've been to see an example which looked good. We said we'd like to sign for it and pay the deposit, but were surprised at the percentage of deposit required - is this normal?

"The payment terms are normally as follows.
40% with order
40% when frames are delivered on site
20% on completion.

The deposit can be paid by cheque/ Credit Card"

Thanks
Dobbess

Tell them you will pay them in full once the conservatory is installed to your satisfaction.

If that causes them cash flow problems, then they presumably are in financial difficulty. (They can always borrow the money from the bank, rather than the customer, if they are financially sound)

Stevie_Palimo

Aquamania wrote: »

Tell them you will pay them in full once the conservatory is installed to your satisfaction.

If that causes them cash flow problems, then they presumably are in financial difficulty. (They can always borrow the money from the bank, rather than the customer, if they are financially sound)

Lol like that will wash with any Company supplying quite an expensive made to measure product, Will never happen with any Company unless you know the Director very well.

PasturesNew

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Lol like that will wash with any Company supplying quite an expensive made to measure product, Will never happen with any Company unless you know the Director very well.

It might not be made to measure... there are plenty you can just point to in a catalogue and say "that one". I don't intend having one made to measure, I'll just pick a style, then see what size options there are and pick the one closest to what I had in mind... in fact, I thought that was how people did it!

Dan-Dan

You will be lucky to get any local outfit supplying and fitting before a penny has changed hands (if that was what post #5 meant)

Stevie_Palimo

PasturesNew wrote: »

It might not be made to measure... there are plenty you can just point to in a catalogue and say "that one". I don't intend having one made to measure, I'll just pick a style, then see what size options there are and pick the one closest to what I had in mind... in fact, I thought that was how people did it!

This is okay if it is a B&Q or other DIY off the shelf product and again no chance of a payment on complete installation of said item, 9 times out of 10 the ones I fitted many years ago were all bespoke made to measure and would only fit a certain house.


Ie:- wall not square, Slopes slightly one way and so on, A made to measure product will always be better than an off the shelf one and they are more stable, better quality plus the life span will be better than a cheap £3000.00 one from the DIY places.

DaftyDuck

I never mind paying a sensible sum upfront to a smallish firm, so long as I have a certain level of trust in the company/individual doing the work. Of course, if I didn't have trust in the company, they wouldn't be working for me anyway.

It is a question worth turning on its head... if I'm not happy dolling dosh early on, will I be happy with the work later?

Yes to OP #3. You can pay a minimum on your CC, the rest however, and still get section 75 protection. I believe it is £100, but I'd be minded to put more on there for some form of fictitious protection-extra I'd imagine I'd get. I just feel putting exactly £100 might show you were making use of section 75 should things go wrong, which might detract some help from actually getting it.

Using a smaller firm that might not have the cashflow to absorb a few grand's outlay is no bad thing; the big firms may advertise no upfront costs, easy payment schedule, etc.... but I doubt they'll be as competitively priced, or the work as good, in many cases. So long as you've seen the work, and followed up references, etc. There are quite a few fly-by-night window & conservatory companies - I have been on the bad end myself - but a lot are local firms that do a perfectly good job.

McKneff

You can pay as little as £1 on your credit card and you will be covered under the S75 protection x