Signed contract for windows - being pressurised

housebuyer7

Hi, I am getting new windows and got a quote last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time. A year later I’ve told them I want to proceed. They came to my house and measured up and clarified the details/spec we wanted (he did drawings and a list of things). He then got me to sign that page. On the back of the page were t&cs that I didn’t read/wasn’t shown. 

I’ve realised now comparing the new price that everything has gone up by £800 so I have asked for a price breakdown as there may be one of the items we decide to drop from getting. He has not produced the breakdown but has said that I have signed a contract and now everything is on order and I have agreed to pay a deposit. It also says that prompt payment of the deposit results in a discount, if I don’t pay promptly the cost goes up by £1000 but I don’t have a date when I need to pay by.

I guess I thought I wouldn’t be bound to getting everything just from signing that form and that they wouldn’t order until I paid a deposit, and even after that surely I could pull out and then lose my deposit? Just wondering where I stand.

tacpot12

So you have learned a lesson about signing anything!

If you need to reduce the price, I would suggest you contact the office and ask to speak to someone senior that can amend the contract. Make it clear that you want to proceed and will call in to sign a new contract or make yourself available to sign one at home if that it what they want. 

If they still won't make a change and you really need them to do so, then you will need legal advice.  There may be a provision in the contract, some consumer rights you have because the contract was signed at your home, or they are relying on an unfair contract term. You might have legal expenses cover as part of your home insurance, so check this immediately and if you have it, call the legal helpline provided by your insurer. They should ask to see the contract, and will give you the advice you need. 

Aylesbury_Duck

How were you pressured to sign?  It seems you asked for a year to consider and they left you alone until you contacted them again.  That doesn’t sound like pressure to me.

RefluentBeans

To clarify - when they came back this year, they gave you an invoice of a more accurate costing, which you signed? How was the pressure applied? If you weren’t given time to review the terms and conditions then I think there is potentially grounds. 

Veteransaver

If you haven't paid a deposit I'd be very surprised if they've actually ordered anything for you.
The contract should specify the deposit and breakdown, I'm not sure how the contract could say if you don't pay the deposit "promptly" (whatever that means) then the overall price will go up

Sounds like they are trying it on. What is the "contract" you have actually signed?

housebuyer7

I was not pressurised to sign, since signing I have been pressurised to pay the deposit. I have not yet paid the deposit because I am considering removing an item from the order. However, they won’t give me a price breakdown of each item on the order for me to be able to decide what to remove. And also are saying I have signed a contract and items are on order.

I was not shown the terms and conditions, what I signed was a piece of paper showing the item drawings and the spec I wanted, fixtures/fittings etc. it was not explained to me that I received a discount providing payment of the deposit was prompt; this is just something I’ve seen since reading the T&Cs that are on the back of the page I signed.

Grumpy_chap

It is difficult to exactly understand the timelines here.
When was the first quote, which the OP says was "last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time"?
I read that as meaning the quote was a year back.  It could mean just over a month back.  That period of time could make a difference as to whether the £800 price increase is reasonable.  Equally, price increase to the window company could be from 1st January.

The prompt payment discount is also probably linked to a relatively short term, such as the financial period (month or quarter).  When did the OP sign the order form?

eskbanker

Grumpy_chap said:

It is difficult to exactly understand the timelines here.
When was the first quote, which the OP says was "last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time"?
I read that as meaning the quote was a year back.  It could mean just over a month back.

OP clarified in the next sentence after that quoted wording:

housebuyer7 said:

Hi, I am getting new windows and got a quote last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time. A year later I’ve told them I want to proceed.

sheramber

Did you expect the price to be the same as it was a year ago, bearing in mind the increased cost of materials and wage increases in the last year?

Grumpy_chap

eskbanker said:

Grumpy_chap said:

It is difficult to exactly understand the timelines here.
When was the first quote, which the OP says was "last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time"?
I read that as meaning the quote was a year back.  It could mean just over a month back.

OP clarified in the next sentence after that quoted wording:

housebuyer7 said:

Hi, I am getting new windows and got a quote last year but were not financially in a position to proceed at that time. A year later I’ve told them I want to proceed.

Thank you - I missed that (doh  )  

The OP has not said how much the original quote was, but an increase of £800 for a number of new windows supplied and installed might be very reasonable given the price pressures that the supply chain will be under currently.  

RefluentBeans

housebuyer7 said:

I was not pressurised to sign, since signing I have been pressurised to pay the deposit. I have not yet paid the deposit because I am considering removing an item from the order. However, they won’t give me a price breakdown of each item on the order for me to be able to decide what to remove. And also are saying I have signed a contract and items are on order.

I was not shown the terms and conditions, what I signed was a piece of paper showing the item drawings and the spec I wanted, fixtures/fittings etc. it was not explained to me that I received a discount providing payment of the deposit was prompt; this is just something I’ve seen since reading the T&Cs that are on the back of the page I signed.

So what did you think you were signing for? If you didn’t think you were signing for the order (which would have terms and conditions associated with them) what did you think you were signing for? 

Ultimately - if you cancel your contract they have a right to recoup any losses from you. If the windows have gone to production you’ll be liable for the cost of the windows to produce, but not the labour costs of fitting. 

When we had our windows done, we didn’t get a per window breakdown. We got that there was X windows that were being installed, along with a door and X secondary glazing units costing £X. The time to get invoices would be prior to signing the paperwork and agreeing to the order - adding things on may be feasible but removing things is often harder as the windows aren’t a universal size. 

In regards to the quick payment of deposit - how is that appearing on the invoice? Are they increasing invoice total after the deadline or are they just offering a special offer of pay now and we’ll knock 5% off your order sort of thing?