AIBU to feel stressed about a conservatory!

[PeppasNanna]

My dad is having a conservatory built onto his house.

I've ended up dealing with alot of it.
A salesperson from a very large double glazing company has been giving him the hard sell.

The conservatory will be 3m× 5.5 m. Middle range conservatory. All ground work. Window replaced with patio doors. All plastering, all electrics -£20k.

But I feel he needs more quotes. My dad feels hes is obliged to deal with the salesperson from the large company as hes spoken to her a few times.

He lives in London, so everything is expensive but I really think he should get more quotes. He told me this morning the salesperson is visiting him this afternoon...

Aibu to worry?
How much do conservatorys cost?
Aibu & actually hes getting a good deal?

[VioletBam]

It's his business OP. You're not responsible for him. You've advised him to get more quotes but he's an adult and he can choose what he wants to do.

Step back.

[londonrach]

Rule of thumb is three quotes... Id never just do one. Mind you its a struggle to get one quote at the moment. We just got our second from a plumber last night having started trying to get three plumbers back in February...

[FoxyLoxy123]

I'm in East Anglua and a colleague paid 25K for one smaller than that 18 months ago, so doesn't sound too bad.

[londonrach]

No idea if this any good. www.conservatoryprices.com

[Creampastry]

3 quotes always, including one small firm. If you are dealing with it now, you will be dealing with it the whole time.

[Littlepeople12345]

My DH would charge the same if he was doing it in our town or London.

I'd always get 3 quotes and I'd use small local companies.

what company is it?

[PeppasNanna]

Thanks for the replies.
Creampastry I always end up dealing with my dad's stuff...

[PeppasNanna]

Anglican.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Unless your dad lacks the capacity to make financial decisions, then really it's nobody else's businesss. However, he would be better getting three quotes and also references from other people who have used the company.

.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

I would be getting more quotes too... If you can persuade him! ... These hard sell companies rely on people feeling guilty don't they? as a sales person has spent x amount of time with the customer...

With my elderly relatives we used to say... Yes I know you liked Sarah salesperson as she was very personalable, but isn't it worth a couple of hours of your time to see what a local reputable company cost? What could you do with the difference in price? ... Huge national has quoted 25k, if the independent local quotes 19k for the SAME work, just think what you'd use the remaining 6k on? Or think how long it took you to work/save for that money?
Usually this type of approach worked!

[charlestonchaplin]

You could always say that if other companies can do the work cheaper, Anglian, being a big company with great bargaining power and economies of scale, can almost certainly match them. Though for the saleswoman to get her commission he would have to go through her, not call up the local office.

But I would warn you to tread very carefully with Anglian. They seem, in my area at least, to take on more work than they can cope with in a timely fashion. The salespeople are very attentive, but once you are locked into a contract you will see their true colours. Communication from the installation team was abysmal. No responses to phone calls letters, special delivery letters, letter before action.

We were lucky that they decided our plans had to change but didn't bother to sort out the paperwork in the required time so we weren't bound by the contract. By this point my mother had had enough of their attitude and was persuaded to walk away from the agreement. They could sense we were not exactly sure where we stood legally, hence ignoring us.

We had actually used them previously and though the product has been problem-free seven years on, their communication wasn't great then either. I would strongly advise you to get an indication of installation time written into the contract. Otherwise six months later you may still be waiting and find it difficult to get out of the contract. It needs to be in writing. I have heard of people being told they can have their new windows before their new baby arrives, but if it isn't written down how will you hold them to it?

Finally, they play hardball. If you contract with them be prepared to follow through as they will certainly take you to court if you don't. And then you will have to pay out for the conservatory you don't have. They threatened us with court despite knowing they had no case, worrying my parents and they refused to return our substantial deposit. However, with the help of Which?Legal I was able to stand firm and they eventually gave in.