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We recently had 4 windows fitted by a local company who quoted for a 'Trade fit' which was described to us as a fitting but leaving the making good to us. We assumed, Rightly or wrongly, that the only making good would be internal as we were renovating internally only and the window salesman knew this.
We had these windows fitted but they literally came, took out the old windows and placed the new ones in with some expanding foam all nice and plumb but not water-tight.
After a phone call they came back and made them water tight.
Meanwhile, we agreed to have another window done (we're gradually replacing all the windows, approx 12) which was a hanging bay window. again, we were told by the salesman that the quoted price was for removal and fitting (trade fit) of the new window. When the surveyor (a director of the company) came to accurately measure for fitting he mentioned that the removal wasn't included.
We agreed that we would take it down but we received a call saying the windows were ready for fitting and they wanted to come in and fit them but we weren't able to remove the bay in the time-frame they wanted to come to fit. We asked them for a a quote for removal but it never arrived.
We have 8 more windows to do in the house and the company we've been using came and took the bay out without giving us a price for removal and sent us an invoice for £144 inc. vat on top of the agree price for fitting. There was no mention from the fitters that it would cost extra so we let them carry on.
Should we argue the toss for paying it considering there's over £2k of work to be had
I'd recommend waiting, saving up and doing all of the windows at once, properly. You are essentially using a trade service and expecting fully fitted, or close to. Either accept you should be doing most of the work or wait and pay for a full job.
What TT said. Much better to have a company fit the windows completely so if there's a problem in the future they have to sort it. Doing them all at once will be cheaper than one by one.
I'd assume that since you knew they wanted paying to remove the window, then it would be highly likely that they wouldn't do it free if charge.
I'd avoid getting in the situation that you're paying for work to be done, but have no actual idea of what will and won't be done. Get a quote, get it in writing, and get it itemised. I usually try and get one person to do a job for me, and let him subby out the bits, then the comeback and resolution to any issues comes back to one man.
Unforunately we are not in a financial position to get all them done in one hit and we explained to the salesman that all the windows would be replaced and we would like one company to do it but some windows were in such a state that we needed them replacing ASAP.
As far as knowing they would want paying for the removal, we asked for a quote first and they didn't provide one and just turned up and when I asked about the quote from the fitters they didn't know anything.
Further to that, the salesman said the price included the removal then the Surveyor said it didn't so I don't know who's telling the truth!
Not to mention the fact the bay window hasn't been made water-tight (The others have) and it's pissing down.
Charge them £144 for water damage due to the leaking window.
They charged you to remove it, ok wasn't agreed, but they charged a reasonable price and did the job ok I assume so unless you want them to skimp on the other work to reclaim the cost show some goodwill and pay them. You will probably be better looked after by the firm for doing so, but be honest with them and say you'd like to be better informed of extras etc.
I suppose it's not so much the fact that they've billed us for the removal as it is about the installation (or lack thereof) and it's all just annoyed us.
It wasn't really explained to us what was and, more importantly, what wasn't included in a 'trade fit'. We've never bought windows before and we've no idea what's what when it comes to installation, but surely it doesn't cost that much more to weather-proof a window versus us getting someone else to do it.
Thought the extra charge was for removal of the other window? Just be honest and up front with them. I assume your happy with the fitting other than that? Have a friendly talk try to come to come agreement amongst yourself.
For £144 it is not worth the hassle, and surely worth opening negotiating as you want more work.