Advice on a contract

Rross46

Hi all.  I'm February I ordered a new front door to replace my broken one.  I signed a contract and paid a deposit.  A survey was to be done, and was carried out in May.  I found out after the cooling off period that covid restrictions meant they couldn't do it sooner.  I got an email to say the fitting would happen in December.  I replied to confirm the appointment and got an automated response.  The response said that due to covid restrictions they had suspended business until things opened up.  At the time of sale I was not told any restrictions were in place, in my haste I didn't ask, I was only told it would be done asap.  I don't know yet if the suspension was in effect at the time of sale.  This is a long time to go with a broken front door, however if I cancel I will be liable for the cost.  If the company had suspended its activities at the time of sale and did not mention this, would I have a route to getting out of the contract?

powerful_Rogue

Rross46 said:

Hi all.  I'm February I ordered a new front door to replace my broken one.  I signed a contract and paid a deposit.  A survey was to be done, and was carried out in May.  I found out after the cooling off period that covid restrictions meant they couldn't do it sooner.  I got an email to say the fitting would happen in December.  I replied to confirm the appointment and got an automated response.  The response said that due to covid restrictions they had suspended business until things opened up.  At the time of sale I was not told any restrictions were in place, in my haste I didn't ask, I was only told it would be done asap.  I don't know yet if the suspension was in effect at the time of sale.  This is a long time to go with a broken front door, however if I cancel I will be liable for the cost.  If the company had suspended its activities at the time of sale and did not mention this, would I have a route to getting out of the contract?

Send a 'Time is of the essence' letter.

Does the contract say anything about installation dates, what happens if there is a delay etc?

Rross46

If I remember the contract said the survey should be done within 21 days.  I seem to remember a clause about factors outside of their control, to which they attribute to covid restrictions.  Not sure what restrictions would prevent them carrying out the work, but I know a lot of people have had issues with this company and covid has been the excuse.  Though my main concern is that they conducted the sale whilst their business was suspended bit kept it to themselves.