. . . or is this a terrible finish?

[GlazingNightmare]

We've just had our double glazing replaced. The photos below are one example of how badly the windows have been finished. They look worse than the old ones

AIBU in asking him to come back and improve the finish? He's already not happy with me because he didn't take a rollerblind down and installed the window and beading around it, which meant there would be a chunk of beading missing when we replaced the visibly-old and crappy blind. He's also massively damaged the paintwork around the windows - much more than I expected.

It's also really awkward because he's a friend of DH's . . . ugh. That was probably our first mistake . . .

Is this normal? I honestly expected them to look nice and clean and new

Were you able to check the manufacturing date?

Poorly finished sealant, and the marking on the window frame is terrible, are those holes? They don’t look well made. Regardless of the finish, I’d be concerned about the actual windows.

Sorry OP they don't look new as previously stated, my new ones had the plastic taken off them, then the fitter's cleaned them all and they were bright white. I had minimal damage around them, slight bit of touch up and certainly no shavings off them as they are supposed to me made to measure and then packed with little plastic inserts if any part needs to be adjusted after the old ones come out, then sealed smoothly.
I would not pay for that job friend or no friend, and not sure about certass but with fensa you can pay to search the fitter to see if they are registered, am guessing certass do the same, also if he is registered they should be able to help with dispute resolution, hope you get it sorted.

Oh no.

I searched for him on the Certass contractor site. He's there, but his status is "Application Stage 1" which means he hasn't been reviewed or approved by Certass yet.

This is bad, isn't it? I specifically asked him about FENSA certificates when he was doing the quote and he said yes, he'd have all that

So are you going to present him with all the evidence and ditch him? Because he is so out of order and really shouldn't have taken any money from you.

These holes dont even look newly drilled. And who would drill holes in new windows till theyd spoken to the homeowner. They might be going for a different type of blind. And besides I didnt think windows were drilled to fit blinds

@GlazingNightmare

Oh no.

I searched for him on the Certass contractor site. He's there, but his status is "Application Stage 1" which means he hasn't been reviewed or approved by Certass yet.

This is bad, isn't it? I specifically asked him about FENSA certificates when he was doing the quote and he said yes, he'd have all that

I'd report him to Certass, in that case.

That’s appalling. There’s no way I’d pay for that but as you say really awkward if it’s a friend,

They are not new windows op. How would he even know what holes to drill with your particular blind.

Get another contractor round to advise. Do not believe anything he's saying. You could say you want a replacement at his cost as he's drilled holes in it- it would be interesting to see how he reacts. Also ask for the receipts from the manufacturer.

They're very clearly old windows OP. You're being conned.

The best thing you can do is ask a contractor you got on with who quoted to come back for a look with a view to replace.

Ask them their opinion on the windows. Or you can pay for a surveyor.

He's coming round on Monday to discuss. I'm dreading it. I've been looking at the windows and I do think they're new, just really crappy quality. I think he got them dirty while fitting them - he isn't a tidy worker, he left black marks all over the walls even outside the window area and left all the rooms in an absolute state when he was "finished" - although I don't mind brushing up and hoovering debris etc. I just think he doesn't care about the finish and look of his work.

I think he thought he was doing us a favour by doing the job for a little less money than the other quotes, but actually, I'd have happily paid double if the work had been clean and neat and above-board

Will your dh be there too? Doesn't seem fair for you to have to deal with him on your own?

Oh god no, thats an awful job! The sealant is part of the job and hasn't been done correctly. Never mind the fact that you can't paint it because there isn't a neat division between the plaster and the sealant, it looks like its too thin and narrow in places and hasn't properly plugged the gap at all.

Who on earth would leave a job like that? Just ask him back to do the sealant again, and if he won't come back, deduct the estimated cost of doing so from what you paid him - I somehow doubt he'll go to the bother of suing you if he can't be bothered to finish sealant properly!

I had new windows 3 years ago and the whole finish was absolutely perfect afterwards, didn't even need to touch up the paintwork other than in one tiny area. They are still immaculate.

And no, those windows are not new. They've clearly had holes drilled in them for blinds or similar by the previous homeowner, and possibly some sealant left over.

The facts you know are:

He lied about FENSA registration and also about Certass registration. The work is not certified.

There are holes in the units that void the warranty.

The work is a mess and not properly done.

What you don't know:
Whether windows are new. Whether he drilled holes in, or they were already there.

The meeting needs to be a short one. He has not fulfilled the job he quoted for adequately. He can't make good because he still isn't registered.

So he isn't getting a penny more from you - and should give you back anything you have already given him on the basis that you now need to find a properly registered window fitter to do the work.

Send him packing. Done. There is really nothing he can say.

Don't feel awkward. Even if he had done this for half price, he wouldn't have done you a favour by fitting windows (badly) that he isn't registered to fit! That is no favour.

Be tough.

Report him to Certass!

There are regulations that need to be followed, such as needing a certain amount of openings for fire escapes, you will need to have this checked by someone professional.
You will also need the certificates if you sell your house.

Those are not new windows. You can see where there were net curtains hung previously!

PLEASE get someone to be there with you when he comes round! Preferably a scary looking male (not being sexist but if the window fitter is male, then he's less likely to take advantage of there's another male there)

Don't pay another penny until you're happy.

If need be, find another fitter and get them to come round to quote for making right and get their opinion on the job.

In the nicest way possible, I really think you're trying to convince yourself that they are new windows because that would be easier to deal with.

Did they have that blue peel off cellophane protective stuff on them when they were brought in the house? How many windows has he done? At the minimum I would want the one with holes in replaced for one without holes! And I would want the certificates

Come on op, you know those windows aren't new.

I would ask for proof that they are new windows. They should have been covered in the peel off stickers. The keys and locks should have tape over them.

The holes look like where they were previously drilled for net curtains in the last house they were in.

Whats the finish look like from outside, any big gaps filed with sealant?

Re: FENSA certificates - NO of course it does not sound right.

Your window and I am ignoring the pre-drilled holes is not sealed - it should be smooth, secure and most important draft proof.

Its a botch job with what looks like a pre used window - we all get them.