I could honestly write a book about our experience with Safestyle! but will try to be brief!
About six years ago a rep knocked on our door. Old windows were needing to be replaced. He arranged for someone to come and quote. He let us choose exactly what we wanted but gave no indication of individual prices, like maybe where we could choose cheaper options. He stayed for ages, gave a high quote, we said no way, he had a tel chat with someone and dropped the price considerably. We still said no thanks, too high.
For days afterwards we were plagued with phone calls. Still insisted it was out of our price range. Eventually got a quote for almost half the original price so agreed. Rep came round again, spent ages working it all out again and then said he couldn’t do it for that price. We said sorry, but we had all wasted time and goodbye. He left and phoned again about 20 mins later and agreed the lowest quote. Came back to our house and we signed.
Surveyor came to measure up and we told him we wanted like for like. He said they would put scaffolding up at back and a tower at the front. It would take two men two days.
The first day arrived, no tower but three men sent instead. I left them to it but kept them supplied with food and drinks all day. All the windows were removed and new ones installed in just one day. Suddenly they said they had finished and I had to pay the remaining amount over the phone. Everything looked lovely from inside and I didn’t think to look outside. Just glad to have my house to myself.They left.
Don’t believe the old advert about them clearing up after themselves. It took ages to rehang curtains, put furniture back and vacuum carpets. Then I went outside. All the sills had been cut too short showing where the previous sills were. A few tiles on outside walls broken or missing, screws and debris all over the patios,. They looked awful.
Phoned Safestyle. Sent out surveyor. Told him we wanted them refitted with correct size sills. The same two cowboys came back. They said the sills were sent pre cut and it wasn’t their fault. I fed and watered them again while windows were refitted.
We then completely re decorated our bedroom, had walls replastered, painted and new carpet. When cleaning the window I discovered that the frame was cracked and the cowboys had said nothing, but filled in the crack with filler. Phoned Safestyle again. Surveyor came back. I was furious. Told him we did not want the same cowboys back again and he agreed to get a new frame made.
Two new fitters came. They told me they spend their time putting right all the bodged jobs and our windows were not the worst they had had to deal with. I got them to check all the windows. No special wedges had been fitted which stop the glass inserts dropping, so they did that. They put in the new frame and refitted the big downstairs window which was bodged.
The actual windows are fine and we haven’t had any problems since, but I think they employ ‘fitters’ who are not always capable.
Would I recommend? No. The whole experience was so stressful, but I have learned so much. Definitely get more than one quote if you can bear it and definitely go local! It was all a new experience for me and I had no idea people could be so pushy. We had about three phone calls after the first fitting asking if we were taking up their quote! I eventually had to be rather rude to get them to leave me alone.