Conservatory Waiting Game?

Plantation7

After having various quotes for a Conservatory we settled on a local company who had done 2 others in the street.
I picked them because i notice they want to dig deep foundations unlike their rivals and do a more thorough job, they also seem to have great reviews on Google, Facebook, Trustatrader , Checkatrade and with the neighbours, they also are registered with Certass.
To make things better i was able to pay the deposit on my credit card giving me possible section 75 protection as it's over £100, and the Company Name is clearly on my statement.
Unfortunately 2 months on and they can't give me a start date, they told me the builder is on holiday then they said the building regulation papers have not arrived yet.
In the contract it says if i cancel i will only get £25 of my deposit back but if they cancel i get it all back. I don't want to cancel but i just don't know why we are waiting, they told me when they get the deposit they can start the ball rolling but now they are just holding it.
I'm pretty confident if push comes to shove the credit card Company can get the deposit back but i might wait a bit longer.
Is over 2 months normal with this kind of project?

Head_The_Ball

A wait of two months doesn't sound unusual for a reputable company. It is usually the less reputable companies and cowboy firms that can start quickly as they aren't as busy as reputable companies.

Did you discuss a start date before paying the deposit?

How much deposit did you pay?

If you decide to cancel and go with someone else, not only might you struggle to get your deposit back, but you will be at the start of the process again and at the back of the queue for other reputable companies.

Go and see them and ask to discuss their current work schedule and give you an indication of when work might commence.

Frank99

Just don't cancel, leave the ball in their court, a rouge Company would not allow credit card payment.
If your neighbours are pleased with their conservatories then they must be good, 2 months seems a fair wait, i'm sure the credit card company would get all the money back for service not received or similar, in terms of building regulations i think it depends on the size before planning permission is needed but i'm not 100% sure.

AndyMc.....

Conservatory and building regs?????

Plantation7

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

A wait of two months doesn't sound unusual for a reputable company. It is usually the less reputable companies and cowboy firms that can start quickly as they aren't as busy as reputable companies.

Did you discuss a start date before paying the deposit?

How much deposit did you pay?

If you decide to cancel and go with someone else, not only might you struggle to get your deposit back, but you will be at the start of the process again and at the back of the queue for other reputable companies.

Go and see them and ask to discuss their current work schedule and give you an indication of when work might commence.

They just told me they would get the ball rolling after receiving the deposit and would confirm a start date but every time i phone now i'm getting a range of excuses, unfortunately in hindsight maybe getting a confirmed start date before paying the deposit was something i needed to do.

Plantation7

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Conservatory and building regs?????

Sorry, i am new to the forum, can you re-send the information as it is blurred!

Davesnave

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Conservatory and building regs?????

It's possible. Much of my conservatory meets building regs. I don't need it to, but the better built, the more flexible it is in terms of use and the less it is likely to part company with the house..

Some conservatories can meet BR if there's a trade off with other energy saving measures being adopted, or particular specs used. That would involve a BCO.

Davesnave

Plantation7 wrote: »

Sorry, i am new to the forum, can you re-send the information as it is blurred!

Great answer! You learn fast!:rotfl:

sevenhills

Plantation7 wrote: »

They just told me they would get the ball rolling after receiving the deposit and would confirm a start date.

I understand that when you pay with a credit card, they don't get the money straight away.

Plantation7

sevenhills wrote: »

I understand that when you pay with a credit card, they don't get the money straight away.

That's interesting, how long do you reckon then, i thought is was about 3 days but i don't know.

phill99

sevenhills wrote: »

I understand that when you pay with a credit card, they don't get the money straight away.

I take CCs. In my account in three working days.