What To Do If Double Glazing Installation Goes Wrong

• June 15, 2014|
• News|
• admin-malbern

We’ve all heard of cowboy builders – whether you’ve experienced them first-hand or you’ve merely heard the horror stories from your neighbour, you’ll want to make sure you avoid them. The trouble is, it’s not always that simple, which is one reason why these builders are still roaming our streets today. Let’s face it, once the damage has been done, you’ll need to know what the next steps should be moving forward. So here are some tips on what you should do if your double glazing has gone wrong.

Know your rights
Laws exist which state that double glazing should:

• Be completed with ‘reasonable care and skill’
• Windows should be ‘of satisfactory quality’ and ‘fit for purpose’
• Be the model you ordered

The above three conditions all need to be met in order for the contract to be valid. If not, they’ve essentially breached it and you’re within your rights to request that your double glazing is either replaced or repaired to your specifications.

It’s always a good idea to raise any complaints in writing – this way, you’ve got written proof of any promises made to you by the company, as well as timelines for completion.

When signing a contract…
Before any work is carried out, you’ll need to sign a contract. Under the regulations set out in the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work, you have the right to cancel any contract which you’ve signed at home or at work within seven days after the company has confirmed your rights in writing. Once cancelled, you’re under no obligation to pay out any money.

How to right the wrongs
Of course, it’s not always practical to find another double glazing company if something goes wrong – for a start, you cannot be sure that the same problems won’t occur. So here’s how you can quickly work to put things right:

• Speak up sooner rather than later

The minute you spot a problem, you should get in touch with your double glazing company. Feel free to make a telephone call but always send written confirmation too as you may need to call on this at a later date.

• Set a deadline

There will be occasions when the deadline for completion of the work will need to be extended due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, make sure you agree with the company on a new completion date. Again, it is wise to get this in writing.

• Give the company one last chance

If this second deadline comes and goes and the work still hasn’t been completed or there are still problems with the existing work, be prepared to give the company one final chance but tell them that you will find someone else and claim back any costs accrued if the third deadline isn’t adhered to.

• Gather evidence

If it looks like you’ll have to take the company to court in order to claim back money, you absolutely must gather some concrete evidence. Talk to other companies and get some written quotes for resolving the problem, then make sure you take photographs of the issues and compile a full report before any work is commenced.