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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

. . . or is this a terrible finish?

199 replies

GlazingNightmare · 07/05/2021 19:02

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 Sad

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 Sad

. . . or is this a terrible finish?
. . . or is this a terrible finish?
. . . or is this a terrible finish?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
BonnyandPoppy · 11/05/2021 22:52

If the holes were for the blinds why didn’t he put them up or did you stop him half way through? Do the holes even match your fittings for your blinds?

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 12/05/2021 07:15

Come on OP. You are being so very passive here. If they are new, he should easily be able to prove it.

Do the holes he drilled even work for the blinds you have? What about the warranty?

knittingaddict · 12/05/2021 08:17

@GlazingNightmare

The black marks in the corner are holes - I have no idea why they are there. It's as if he's drilled into them.

I'd expect the sealant to be smooth and neat, so that I could paint over it. It's in big lumps and clumps - it's just so messy.

I agree with you about the application of the sealant. It looks really bad and the holes are weird and I wouldn't accept that. The damaged paintwork is normal and it's up to you to decorate.
knittingaddict · 12/05/2021 08:18

Ah, things have moved on a bit. Sorry.

lifeissweet · 12/05/2021 09:16

You have got yourself on a loop here where he fobs you off endlessly about certificates that aren't going to materialise. You know he isn't FENSA or Certass registered, so where is he going to get the certificates from, exactly?

I would get a window fitter to take a look and then go back to him with a report to back you up that the job is sub-standard and needs to be redone.

orangesmartiesareace · 12/05/2021 09:25

So sorry OP. What an awkward situation, trying to have a decent outcome with you having windows you are happy with whilst trying to maintain the existing friendship. but...

Those holes have been drilled using a tiny drill bit. Blinds are heavy. For our blinds, the underside of the wall was drilled into with bigger drill bits, large screws and rawl plugs used to support the weight.

He is chancing his arm here.

Funnyface1 · 12/05/2021 10:10

I'll be honest, I'm having new windows today and that's why I've been so invested in this. I'll update with the finish of my new windows tonight, we can compare.

Whatpaint · 12/05/2021 12:26

@Funnyface1

I'll be honest, I'm having new windows today and that's why I've been so invested in this. I'll update with the finish of my new windows tonight, we can compare.
Same here! Although I'm having them in a few weeks. I have been told that we shouldn't need to re-decorate at all...

Will be interesting to see yours @Funnyface1

ShrinkingViolet9 · 12/05/2021 12:43

If the windows are new, he'll have an invoice from the trade supplier who made them up for him - have you demanded to see the supplier's invoice?

babybunny123 · 12/05/2021 13:12

Shocking workmanship.

mrsbyers · 12/05/2021 23:06

Trim the sealant flat with a Stanley blade then decorate

The holes look like they are from having a blind or similar fitted - is that window second hand ?

Lipz · 13/05/2021 07:32

@GlazingNightmare

Hi everyone, he ended up coming round today (did I mention he's been really unreliable too?) and I spoke to him about the issues. He's getting certificates for us, but wasn't sure of timescales; he hasn't invoiced us for the 75% balance yet so I won't settle up until I have all the relevant paperwork.

He is adamant the windows are new, he says they've got a bit grubby but the holes were drilled because he mistakenly thought that's where we wanted the blind to go.

He improved the finish on a couple of the worst windows, and while it's not great, I can see that if I sand it a bit and paint, it will look okay.

I think this is honestly as good as it's going to get. Massive lessons learned Blush

OMG you should not have to sand and paint to make your windows look a little bit better. I can't believe he wasn't ashamed and fixed it all properly. Any good work man would be doing everything possible to rectify things and make good on a job you're not happy with.

Blinds do not attach to window frames, there's a bracket that attaches to the wall on each side and the blind is slotted into it. I've never seen a blind attached to a frame. I've blinds all over my house and not one is attached to the window frame.

You can't accept him leaving the window with the holes, every time you open your curtains you are going to see these holes and they are going to annoy you. How deep are the holes? Is there any possibility that they will result in damp and mildew?

All the other things you've listed is even worse than when I previously replied. There's so much more wrong.

This isn't a small issue, you have to look at these windows every day. My windows are 20 years old and they look better.

If you got a new kitchen or bathroom you wouldn't say you'll finish it off, or try to make it look a bit better.

What's your dh saying? If they've a good friendship they'll remain friends, tbh I would give a crap and I'd make sure to get it fixed.

If it were me, I'd get a window company out to do up an invoice of what needs to be done, give it to him and show him that these are not acceptable. I would not even get him to rectify this, he's obviously not a proper window fitter, which concerns me too, because looking at that, I'd wonder if they'd withstand bad weather, will you have draughts etc,, and then I'd get the other window company to do it properly and not pay your man.

Motnight · 13/05/2021 07:36

Blimey. No way are those windows new. Our 20 year old double glazing looks in better nick.

HairyHocks · 13/05/2021 07:55

I don't think they're new OP, new PVC might get grubby during installation but yours look like frames which have been dirty for a long time and need a really thorough scrub.

Don't be misled by finding some film strips. The PVC facing, that he probably did get new (I.e. for the sides, window cill etc), have those strips too. So possibly that's where the ones you found came from.

He shouldn't have taken the film strips off until he was finished, they're there to protect and keep the frame clean - were they there when the windows first arrived?

HappyRaven · 13/05/2021 09:26

I think you need to get someone in to inspect the work. I really don't think they are new windows. How would he know where to drill the holes for blinds and why would he? You wanted new windows and you were willing to pay so that is what you should have. I was so proud and happy when I had my new windows fitted.

Mamette · 13/05/2021 09:39

We've only paid about 25% already

This is probably what it cost him to source these second hand windows. Any time I’ve ordered windows it’s 50% deposit which I assume covers cost price for the company and then the other 50% comprises the installation and their profit.

I would smell a rat if he ordered and installed a made-to-measure product for you and only looked for 25% up front.

MadeForThis · 13/05/2021 09:41

Ask him to provide you with the invoice from the windows company. Usually lists exact sizes. Make sure the dates match when you ordered.

He may have taken these from another job where he also did an awful job.

Don't pay another penny until you have all the certificates.

RaiseTheBeastie · 13/05/2021 09:45

The paintwork damage may have been unavoidable...the paint looks thick, like it's come off in a chunk and it may have happened to any fitter.

Sealant is dodgy...he was either rushing or poorly skilled. But that could be easily fixed by him or someone else, with fairly minimal cost and the cost deducted from his bill.

The holes in the window though...that can't be fixed. The whole frame needs to be replaced. I would not accept a fill/sand/paint job over the holes. Talk about him putting a blind up - total nonsense. You don't drill into pvc.

My brother is a window fitter. Occasionally he has to chuck a whole frame because they notice (or cause during fitting, accidents do happen) damage or a dent to the frame. It can't be fixed up, that's not what the customers paying for. Immensely frustrating for them but if there's damage to the frame, out it comes and a new one goes in.

GlazingNightmare · 13/05/2021 16:09

He insisted the windows are new and he's going to provide paperwork/certs - I've told him I'm not paying the balance until
I have these.

As for the shoddy finish, I don't trust him to fix it to a good standard, so I've told him that I'm deducting the cost of making good from his invoice. I'll get someone else to come in - if I can, it's so hard to get tradesmen at the minute.

I just want to put the whole sorry episode behind me now. It's just been awful.

Good luck to everyone with new glazing on the horizon Grin

OP posts:
TheGoodEnoughWife · 13/05/2021 16:11

That's great. You sound like you are handling it really well.
Puts you off having work done - certainly does me!

lifeissweet · 13/05/2021 16:40

Well done, OP. Sounds like you have found your assertive streak.

Just be prepared that anyone you hire to make good is likely to say 'there are holes in these windows and they need to be completely replaced'. I would expect anyone worth their salt would recommend that.

JillWoodhead · 16/05/2021 00:47

the holes look like where a hook has been put in to hold a net curtain wire. I would certainly say these are not new windows, and if you were charged a new window price, then definitely don't pay and complain.

SwanShaped · 19/05/2021 17:05

Glad you’re standing your ground. But it’s so tricky what with him being a friend too. Hope he gets you the certificates soon.

Iamnotminterested · 21/05/2021 20:35

Any update, OP?

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