Signed contract for windows - being pressurised

eskbanker

housebuyer7 said:

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?

Not sure what supported these assumptions but for the avoidance of doubt, once you've signed up to a binding contract, there's no concept of being able to reverse out of it for no more than you've paid up to that point?

housebuyer7

I just thought I was signing to say this was what I wanted but didn’t expect there to be any requirement until I paid a deposit. Why are they bothering asking me to pay a deposit at all if as soon as I signed that bit of paper I am liable for the entire costs aside from fitting? My assumption was nothing would be ordered until I paid a deposit, and after I paid the deposit I could still cancel but would then lose my deposit. Seems what you are saying to me is that the minute I signed that paper I have contractually agreed to pay for everything and there is no possibility of cancelling, so the requirement for a deposit seems completely meaningless.

housebuyer7

@RefluentBeansthey are increasing invoice total after the deadline, except there is no date specified

RefluentBeans

housebuyer7 said:

I just thought I was signing to say this was what I wanted but didn’t expect there to be any requirement until I paid a deposit. Why are they bothering asking me to pay a deposit at all if as soon as I signed that bit of paper I am liable for the entire costs aside from fitting? My assumption was nothing would be ordered until I paid a deposit, and after I paid the deposit I could still cancel but would then lose my deposit. Seems what you are saying to me is that the minute I signed that paper I have contractually agreed to pay for everything and there is no possibility of cancelling, so the requirement for a deposit seems completely meaningless.

The deposit normally covers things if you do end up cancelling. If you cancel a contract you may not be liable to pay for the whole contract. In this case, you wouldn’t be expected to pay for the actual fitting of the windows, or disposal of nah waste from the project etc. But you would be liable to cover the cost of production of the window (presuming they had already started that production). Outside of that, the company should refund you any leftovers from the deposit. 

In reality they probably haven’t ordered the windows yet. So your liabilities will probably be lower.

The thing is though, if you want this company to do your windows you can’t just ignore them and then ask for a better quote. On Monday, I’d explain to them what has happened, and ask for a requote for the things that you want to reduce the cost. Unfortunately though, it does seem like you have entered into a contract and unwinding the contract can leave sour tastes in peoples mouths. 

eskbanker

housebuyer7 said:

I just thought I was signing to say this was what I wanted but didn’t expect there to be any requirement until I paid a deposit. Why are they bothering asking me to pay a deposit at all if as soon as I signed that bit of paper I am liable for the entire costs aside from fitting? My assumption was nothing would be ordered until I paid a deposit, and after I paid the deposit I could still cancel but would then lose my deposit. Seems what you are saying to me is that the minute I signed that paper I have contractually agreed to pay for everything and there is no possibility of cancelling, so the requirement for a deposit seems completely meaningless.

No, I'm not saying that you're automatically on the hook for the entire cost as soon as you've committed, but just observing that your liability isn't capped at the amount of the deposit in the event of you changing your mind.

sheramber

Your deposit would need to cover their costs incurred up to the date of cancellation.  if not, you would be due to pay any excess.