Windows and Lintels - Ventrolla

SuzieSue

Clairebare1 wrote: »

Am I allowed to name the company, or would I get in trouble for doing that?

I think you need to be careful. Where abouts in the country are you because if anyone is thinking of having work done there then perhaps they could pm you and you could tell them so that they don't go through what you have been through.

SuzieSue

Furts wrote: »

and low cost professional advice available which would have prevented, or alleviated your scenario.

Where can you get low cost professional advice?

Clairebare1

The company we chose has 18 branches all over the country, so they could be near you anyway - but we are in Suffolk.

Furts

SuzieSue wrote: »

Where can you get low cost professional advice?

You pay for Buildings Regulations. This is an application that comes with plan checking, sites visit and unlimited technical advice with immediate telephone access. In terms of a window installation we are talking a few hundreds in relation to windows costing perhaps £10000.

Equally you could pay for a Chartered Building Surveyor or a Clerk Of Works. One hours time would have fully briefed in this situation. In addition there will be a site inspection visiting. Again a few hundreds would start to cover this depending on what is required.

However the brutal truth is consumers will not pay for these services.

SuzieSue

Furts wrote: »

You pay for Buildings Regulations. This is an application that comes with plan checking, sites visit and unlimited technical advice with immediate telephone access. In terms of a window installation we are talking a few hundreds in relation to windows costing perhaps £10000.

Equally you could pay for a Chartered Building Surveyor or a Clerk Of Works. One hours time would have fully briefed in this situation. In addition there will be a site inspection visiting. Again a few hundreds would start to cover this depending on what is required.

However the brutal truth is consumers will not pay for these services.

Thanks, that's very useful. So if I am having an ensuite installed should I put an application in with Building Control at the local council and they will monitor the work?

Furts

Clairebare1 wrote: »

The company we chose has 18 branches all over the country, so they could be near you anyway - but we are in Suffolk.

This sounds somewhat concerning. The golden rule on this Forum for as long as I have been posting is to go with a local, reputable, independent company. I have ben preaching this for years and nobody has challenged me on it. Other Forum posters also sing this tune. and I do not seek any recognition for this stance. We are all in agreement on this.

National companies are tarnished with an appalling image. Everest, Safestyle, Anglian and others fall into this category. This image has come about not because or their product, because with some exceptions, there is not a lot of variation. The image has become tarnished because of pushy sales greed, and commission, followed by appalling measuring, followed by appalling fitting and then followed by a total disregard for customer service.

If it is a national company I do not think Clairebare has anything to loose by mentioning the name. I say this because national companies are used to being named - they do not care in the least, and it is water off a duck's back to them.

SuzieSue

Furts wrote: »

This sounds somewhat concerning. The golden rule on this Forum for as long as I have been posting is to go with a local, reputable, independent company. I have ben preaching this for years and nobody has challenged me on it. Other Forum posters also sing this tune. and I do not seek any recognition for this stance. We are all in agreement on this.

National companies are tarnished with an appalling image. Everest, Safestyle, Anglian and others fall into this category. This image has come about not because or their product, because with some exceptions, there is not a lot of variation. The image has become tarnished because of pushy sales greed, and commission, followed by appalling measuring, followed by appalling fitting and then followed by a total disregard for customer service.

If it is a national company I do not think Clairebare has anything to loose by mentioning the name. I say this because national companies are used to being named - they do not care in the least, and it is water off a duck's back to them.

Yes, if it is a national company then it shouldn't be a problem.

Clairebear, I learnt 20 years ago that you should never use a national firm to do work on your house, and it seems that you have learnt the same lesson the hard way.


As Furts says, national chains just use the cheapest labour. All they care about is profit and are not bothered about their reputation until they appear on Watchdog.

DaftyDuck

Frankly, be selfish. Get your own resolution. Then, and only then, think about naming it. I'd be moderately confident you'll get a satisfactory resolution; let's get that before you upset the apple cart.

Chin up. This is NOT your fault.

Do check your house insurance for legal cover.

Furts

SuzieSue wrote: »

Thanks, that's very useful. So if I am having an ensuite installed should I put an application in with Building Control at the local council and they will monitor the work?

If you are having an en suite installed and there is a material alteration to the drainage or the ventilation or the extract or... then yes you have a legal duty. If your work is repair and maintenance forming a like for like then you do not need to apply.

But remember there is good practice like anti scald, mixer valves, disabled tap handles, deep seal traps, rodding access. waterproofing walls and floors, floor stiffening, different plasterboards, sound deadening partitions, privacy lock handles... to name but some. Throwing this back to you - how much of this and other items have you taken into consideration?

So without knowing your particular situation you should be seeking clarification of your position from the Council. Then if they say you are exempt you can still ask if you can put in an application and request a site visit. Staffing levels come to the fore, but enough said for now!

SuzieSue

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Frankly, be selfish. Get your own resolution. Then, and only then, think about naming it. I'd be moderately confident you'll get a satisfactory resolution; let's get that before you upset the apple cart.

Chin up. This is NOT your fault.

Do check your house insurance for legal cover.

And if they don't play ball, then threatening to name them on here or write to Watchdog might make them see sense.