Paid for uPVC windows with bank transfer, windows have issues

themothy

I had a couple of bathroom windows installed through a local double glazing company (that had decent reviews on Google, albeit only a few dozen reviews), paying £300 deposit and £400 afterwards. A couple of installers did the job on Friday afternoon, and the sales person from the company turned up that evening asking for full payment by cash or bank transfer and told me he would email an invoice later.

I had a look at the windows after they were finished, the sales person also double checked and said they were well installed, but as it was dark by the time they finished and I used a weak torch on my phone for the outside and the bathroom lights (that are warm and therefore not great to see perfectly every detail at nighttime) for the inside, I didn't notice a few flaws until the next morning during daylight (the sealant finish was done poorly, and the wall screws within the frame were not fully drilled in and not covered with a waterproof sealant). The following day I also noticed that when water from the adjacent shower went onto the window whilst closed, despite the window being fully shut and closed the water manages to leak onto the inside rim of the frame, i.e. the windows despite being shut are not sealed.

The company initially promised to come take a look at the issues and fix them, but missed the appointment, and are now ignoring my calls. What options do I have? I have a sales contract slip that was filled in when the job was ordered, but they have not provided an invoice despite promising to do so. I don't believe I can ask my bank to reverse the transaction either.

I would be grateful for any suggestions or advice. I feel like I have been fleeced by a dodgey company and made a mistake of paying on the same day as the job completion instead of waiting a few days.

Aylesbury_Duck

themothy wrote: »

I had a couple of bathroom windows installed through a local double glazing company (that had decent reviews on Google, albeit only a few dozen reviews), paying £300 deposit and £400 afterwards. A couple of installers did the job on Friday afternoon, and the sales person from the company turned up that evening asking for full payment by cash or bank transfer and told me he would email an invoice later.

I had a look at the windows after they were finished, the sales person also double checked and said they were well installed, but as it was dark by the time they finished and I used a weak torch on my phone for the outside and the bathroom lights (that are warm and therefore not great to see perfectly every detail at nighttime) for the inside, I didn't notice a few flaws until the next morning during daylight (the sealant finish was done poorly, and the wall screws within the frame were not fully drilled in and not covered with a waterproof sealant). The following day I also noticed that when water from the adjacent shower went onto the window whilst closed, despite the window being fully shut and closed the water manages to leak onto the inside rim of the frame, i.e. the windows despite being shut are not sealed.

The company initially promised to come take a look at the issues and fix them, but missed the appointment, and are now ignoring my calls. What options do I have? I have a sales contract slip that was filled in when the job was ordered, but they have not provided an invoice despite promising to do so. I don't believe I can ask my bank to reverse the transaction either.

I would be grateful for any suggestions or advice. I feel like I have been fleeced by a dodgey company and made a mistake of paying on the same day as the job completion instead of waiting a few days.

It's only Monday lunchtime, so only a few business hours after they did the job. Give them a chance to respond.

If they don't respond in the next couple of days, you should write to them to ask them to come out in a reasonable time to address the flaws.

DoaM

Ultimately, your only final recourse would be a Letter Before Action (LBA) followed by a court claim (MCOL).

born_again

and the wall screws within the frame were not fully drilled in and not covered with a waterproof sealant

Why would they cover screws in the frame with waterproof sealant?

Were the company aware that the window would be showered by water from your shower? Ours has a smaller rubber seal between opening window and frame. But if you shower it with water it will leak through to the frame. As they are not designed to be showered with water. Merely keep condensation out.

themothy

born_again wrote: »

Why would they cover screws in the frame with waterproof sealant?

Were the company aware that the window would be showered by water from your shower? Ours has a smaller rubber seal between opening window and frame. But if you shower it with water it will leak through to the frame. As they are not designed to be showered with water. Merely keep condensation out.

The window is adjacent to and above the showerbath (this is a small bathroom) and right next to where you would stand if taking a shower, the double glazing company came and did measurement so they would be fully aware.

I have watched a few UPVC professional installation videos on youtube and they utilise sealant, presumably because water will gradually go down any microscopic gaps and eventually cause damage?