Is it too much to expect 'perfect' from builders? snagging in new extension aluminium window/door

DRP

New white aluminium sliding doors and window installed in a new extension.

The door handle has some scratches on it and there are a couple of scratches and smallish chips on the frame.

Is it too much to expect perfect at the end of a project? Frame scratches and chips should be touched up in my opinion. Should I expect replacement handle?

There are other things to snag so this is part of a list.

grumbler

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Bendy_House

Tsk, Grumb

DRP, the handle should be simple to swap - and you should expect them to do so.

If they have a way of touching up chips, then they should do that too - with an apology.

Should you expect 'perfect'? It all depends on what 'perfect' means! BUT, there should be ZERO chips and scratches. There is simply no excuse - these parts should be protected, and the fitters should be FULLY aware of the risk when they are working.

Simply no excuse. None.

Every company deserves an honest review. This one is no exception. Perhaps they need reminding of that.

benson1980

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Very true.

I wouldn't accept it. Is this the same builder who couldn't read the installation instructions for glue down karndean? 

DRP

benson1980 said:

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Very true.

I wouldn't accept it. Is this the same builder who couldn't read the installation instructions for glue down karndean? 

Yep. 

I have a list of snags that I would like him to address with a smile on his face. All are reasonable in my opinion. 

DRP

Bendy_House said:

Tsk, Grumb

DRP, the handle should be simple to swap - and you should expect them to do so.

If they have a way of touching up chips, then they should do that too - with an apology.

Should you expect 'perfect'? It all depends on what 'perfect' means! BUT, there should be ZERO chips and scratches. There is simply no excuse - these parts should be protected, and the fitters should be FULLY aware of the risk when they are working.

Simply no excuse. None.

Every company deserves an honest review. This one is no exception. Perhaps they need reminding of that.

Thanks for the reassurance. Yes you’re absolutely right, a brand new product should be brand new and …. perfect.

benson1980

DRP said:

benson1980 said:

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Very true.

I wouldn't accept it. Is this the same builder who couldn't read the installation instructions for glue down karndean? 

Yep. 

I have a list of snags that I would like him to address with a smile on his face. All are reasonable in my opinion. 

Ok good luck with it. Laying karndean isn’t really ‘specialist’ and says a lot about the builder if they didn’t do the sub floor prep correctly. Not so much a snag. More of a bodge.

DRP

benson1980 said:

DRP said:

benson1980 said:

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Very true.

I wouldn't accept it. Is this the same builder who couldn't read the installation instructions for glue down karndean? 

Yep. 

I have a list of snags that I would like him to address with a smile on his face. All are reasonable in my opinion. 

Ok good luck with it. Laying karndean isn’t really ‘specialist’ and says a lot about the builder if they didn’t do the sub floor prep correctly. Not so much a snag. More of a bodge.

Totally agree. 

He is currently ‘fixing’ it. Question is what sort of discount do I push for?

same with the above scratches on the white aluminium door frame. If he can’t touch up seamlessly , do I push for a discount?

benson1980

DRP said:

benson1980 said:

DRP said:

benson1980 said:

In UK you can never expect 'perfect' by default.

Very true.

I wouldn't accept it. Is this the same builder who couldn't read the installation instructions for glue down karndean? 

Yep. 

I have a list of snags that I would like him to address with a smile on his face. All are reasonable in my opinion. 

Ok good luck with it. Laying karndean isn’t really ‘specialist’ and says a lot about the builder if they didn’t do the sub floor prep correctly. Not so much a snag. More of a bodge.

Totally agree. 

He is currently ‘fixing’ it. Question is what sort of discount do I push for?

same with the above scratches on the white aluminium door frame. If he can’t touch up seamlessly , do I push for a discount?

The problem is, to fix it basically you need to take up all the flooring and re screed it. I guess you could re lay the flooring depending on what comes up with it..maybe just a thin layer of the adhesive? That is one job that I just wouldn’t pay for until done right as no amount of discount would compensate for a ripply and uneven floor.

The scratches I’ve got around £100 back for similar things (when carpet fitters scratched my front door) on the basis that I’d tell him to get the handle replaced and I’d try and touch up the chips myself.   I’ve got a similar amount refunded from a made to measure wardrobe company for a couple of minor imperfections. Maybe I didn’t ask for enough….but I thought it was reasonable compensation.

This is slightly complicated by the fact that he’ll presumably say it was supplied like that, but that should be his problem for accepting the goods on your behalf. Just as likely it’s been damaged when installed.

DRP

The handle was definitely not scratched at first, then he fitted it upside down (yes, i know) and when it was opened it collided with the keys - hence the scratches...

There's a scratch on the window frame from the plasterer's trowel

There's a chip out of the door frame threshold.


So a catalogue of mistakes from bad fitting or not protecting the surface during the building work.