Glazing and 'acceptable quality'

JBF

I'm currently having glazing installed and I've so far noticed probably 50% of the panels have small amounts of dust on the inside of the sealed unit or scratches/marks on the internal panel (triple glazing).

Obviously I have flagged this up with the installers and they agreed that some of the panels will need to be replaced once the install has been completed. I'm concerned that given at the moment it appears quite a large number of panels will need to be replaced the company may try to push back and say that a certain amount of dust is to be expected or that imperfections under a certain size are acceptable.

My question is that if they try to push back on replacing all of the panels I consider to be faulty, is there a legally accepted / tested definition of what is deemed to be of acceptable quality when it comes to sealed glazing units?

My view is that the 'sealed units' components should be checked for any damage/imperfections and 'sealed' in a dust free environment. This isn't rocket science. No trapped dust or other imperfections are acceptable. To draw an analogy if I were picking up a new car from the dealers and it already had some scuffs or scratches I wouldn't accept it - I don't see this as any different (particularly given a full house of windows and doors costs as much as a new car!).

I have currently only paid 20% of the total with another 30% due on completion and then 50% will be on finance. I believe this should give me some leverage if there is a dispute.

Hopefully there won't be a dispute but I would like to be fully informed should things go that way.

Thanks

unholyangel

It really comes down to what a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory quality.

(2A)For the purposes of this Act, goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances.

I suppose it depends how fussy you're being. A few tiny specks that are only visible with your face near pressed up on the glass might be acceptable where a spattering of dust visible from several meters away wouldnt be (imo anyway).