Legal threat - unjust?

Derp111

Mr.Generous wrote: »

I'm amazed by how long it took them to make the unit, and how much they charged. Was it a huge window?

Just a standard patio door window! Had it done twice before in previous houses and it's usually around that price and takes about a week (just getting a hole cut in the size of glass), as it did when we finally got it done. The most annoying thing about the whole thing was that we had to then try every glaser in the region to try get someone who could do it in the run up to Christmas. meant loads more wasted time, more time being at home for another quote, and then the actual fitting.:mad:

Derp111

Just one more quick question whilst here. If they do initiate legal action, will I get some sort of warning letter first? Or is the email they sent (in OP) count as that and I should expect a court attendance? At no point have they asked for any money previously (aside from the quote in OP), then today we suddenly get the email demanding £185 now or they'll start legal action in 8 days time if we don't pay. Feels like that can't be legal?

Legal threats sound scary though, thanks again for your help - it has made me feel a bit more reassured that it'll be fine in the end.

davidmcn

It's very unlikely to be pursued by court action, given they haven't got much of a leg to stand on, the amount isn't huge, and they don't want to waste a day hanging around at court when they could be doing work they're actually going to be paid for.

Mr.Generous

You cannot cut a hole in a patio door glass. The sealed unit with glass like that has to be toughened (or meet certain other criteria but lets stick to the 99%)

It will be cut to size then toughened, it will cost more than a std unit but I think that is expensive. French doors can be approx 4,5 or 6ft wide, maybe yours is a big one.

Derp111

Mr.Generous wrote: »

You cannot cut a hole in a patio door glass. The sealed unit with glass like that has to be toughened (or meet certain other criteria but lets stick to the 99%)

It will be cut to size then toughened, it will cost more than a std unit but I think that is expensive. French doors can be approx 4,5 or 6ft wide, maybe yours is a big one.

Just measured it - it's about 46cm/18 inch wide and probably about 182cm/6 foot tall. Definitely not big or fancy! Quite an expensive region though so that probably doesn't help, and we're quite naive when it comes to anything house repair wise.

Derp111

davidmcn wrote: »

It's very unlikely to be pursued by court action, given they haven't got much of a leg to stand on, the amount isn't huge, and they don't want to waste a day hanging around at court when they could be doing work they're actually going to be paid for.

Thank you, that's good to know. Just need to convince the OH that we're not going to get debt collectors knocking the door down.

Dean000000

Either way derp, though I’m not convinced we know the full story - to Assist you (should you be wanting to close the matter amicably)

You could suggest you may contribute towards their costs (I.e double glazed unit) but will not be paying for any:

Installation & sundries
Surveys
Or
Profit, or Loss of profit

You might consider contribution toward the material cost, cavieted that they substantiate this cost to you.

Just had a quick Check online, and recon a dgu that size is £60 (ish) retail. (They’ll be getting cheaper)

In summary, if they are willing to be open and honest on their actual cost/loss, you might entertain settlement.

Do on phone tho...anything in writing may compromise any further action.

And also take heed of others advise on trading etiquette.

Cheers

SnowTiger

Derp111 wrote: »

- Email from the glazing company (day 4) saying:
Dear Derp, "The cost to replace the sealed unit with your cat flap will be £185 including VAT and fitting. Should you wish to go ahead we would require a 50% deposit and I include our bank details for your convenience."

Did you pay the 50% deposit?

From their email: 'Should you wish to go ahead we would require a 50% deposit...'

If you didn't pay the deposit they requested (required), it seems quite obvious (to me) that no contract was formed.

And the fact you contracted someone else to do the work indicates there wasn't a 'meeting of the minds'.

If there was, you would have paid the deposit and wouldn't have contracted someone else to do the work.

Dean000000

SnowTiger wrote: »

Did you pay the 50% deposit?

From their email: 'Should you wish to go ahead we would require a 50% deposit...'

If you didn't pay the deposit they requested (required), it seems quite obvious (to me) that no contract was formed.

And the fact you contracted someone else to do the work indicates there wasn't a 'meeting of the minds'.

If there was, you would have paid the deposit and wouldn't have contracted someone else to do the work.

That’s someone that doesn’t understand the make up of a contract.

No money needs to change hand to form a contract.

photome

Not sure where you stand but after saying "oh really i will have to discuss with other half", instead of saying I dont want to it anymore.


did you have any other contact with them. even if you didnt I dont think there was a contract but it would have been best to let them know rather than ignore their calls