Consumer rights against SLOW windowfitter

tyrilo

Hi, 
I am considering taking on a window fitter for an expensive type of heavily insulated glass door. 

It's a well reviewed business BUT my only worry concerns the fairly slow time cited for completion (8 weeks, and that's just an 'estimate')

I'm expecting the company to want 50% payment in advance.

Although i have no specific reason to suppose the company may be slow, I would appreciate advice on what I can or should do at the point of contracting to protect against protracted delay if it happens.

Also, i'd like to know in advance what my rights would be if I need to reclaim my advance payment if completion of job is delayed or very slow.

Past experience has shown me that SLOW fulfillment of job can be the 'runaway factor' that can foul up a transaction with a builder or tradesperson, and may be unknown in advance.

Everything else can seem right, but if the job isn't completed in any reasonably timely way, it really isn't right.

Thank you for any advice in advance of taking on tradespeople/business for such a job

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Pay any deposit with a credit card  

There are long lead times for goods as well as trades being heavily booked so assuming you aren't talking about how long it will actually take them to fit the windows but rather how long until they start there is likely to be a bit of wait. 

Grumpy_chap

tyrilo said:

Hi, 
I am considering taking on a window fitter for an expensive type of heavily insulated glass door. 

It's a well reviewed business BUT my only worry concerns the fairly slow time cited for completion (8 weeks, and that's just an 'estimate')

I'm expecting the company to want 50% payment in advance.

Although i have no specific reason to suppose the company may be slow, I would appreciate advice on what I can or should do at the point of contracting to protect against protracted delay if it happens.

Also, i'd like to know in advance what my rights would be if I need to reclaim my advance payment if completion of job is delayed or very slow.

Past experience has shown me that SLOW fulfillment of job can be the 'runaway factor' that can foul up a transaction with a builder or tradesperson, and may be unknown in advance.

Everything else can seem right, but if the job isn't completed in any reasonably timely way, it really isn't right.

Thank you for any advice in advance of taking on tradespeople/business for such a job

Eight weeks does not sound like an unusually long lead time for a replacement door to me, even in "normal" times, let alone with the delays to everything that seem to be happening right now.

The best way to protect your position is to pay the deposit on credit card.

sheramber

A good firm will be busy. Beware somebody who can do the job quickly.