Pennine Orangery.
First of all I’d like to confirm my professional position as working for a housebuilder so that I know a little of what I am talking about.
We decided to go with Pennine for the following reasons:
• They have been around for years
• Affordability – Product was still expensive but that had a good finance offer
• Hard selling by their salesman who initially came across as very helpful but as we found out this was a very hard sell by them.
I refer to our extension as an orangery not a conservatory as we were told this would be more of an all year-round useable room. Their web site also states that their orangeries are a cosy environment for year-round use.
We paid Pennine to have an orangery built March 2015. During the design/discussion process we opted out of installing external UPVC doors which separated our existing house to the orangery/extension as we wanted the open plan feel. When opting out of this Pennine ask you to sign a disclaimer but don’t offer any explanation of the further consequences of this.
We were on a budget like most families and were on the verge of withdrawing when Pennine asked to come back to see us. The salesman started looking at the plans to see what could be value engineered out of the design but still to keep the look we were after. One of his suggestions was to omit the radiator as the room would be warm enough if need be we could always add a radiator in at a later date. Needless to say, we signed on the dotted line and agreed to go with them.
During the build we had Pennines plumber in to modify our existing system where we had to re-locate the existing radiator that was under the window that was to be made into the opening for the new extension. It was then he advised us that the new orangery would need a heat source and we would regret not putting one in. We paid him the extra money to install a new radiator for us.
For four winters now we have not been able to use the new room as the temperature in that room can be as little as 9 degrees. During the warmer months this is mainly used as a second living room or a play room for our children. We installed interior grade timber doors in the opening between the orangery and the existing house, this only highlighted how cold it was in the orangery but did help the rest of our house as less heat leaked out through the orangery. When this room is out of use it significantly changes our house. Pennine have been out too many times to recall but, in all honesty, it is impossible for them to make good on how this was sold to us ‘a room that can used all year round’.
Pennine were last out in January where they spotted that seals at the ridge were missing. They came back two weeks later to carry out the remedial works which have slightly lessened the noise from outside as previously it was obvious that something was never quite right as traffic could be heard outside more than expected (this was after 4 years remember). Please note the acoustics are better but the temperature is still too cold. It me be the case that a bigger radiator will help but I have since found out that the specification of the walls and floor combined with the roof means that the heat will not stay in the room long as previously explained to us that it would.
I have since spoken to other glazing companies in the industry who have confirmed that any form of construction like this, especially with a glazed roof CANNOT be used all year round.
I am currently having to pay for the services of an independent surveyor and solicitor so that I can prove the following with the end result of me taking legal action:
• Specification is not good enough and,
• We have been mis-sold a product which clearly isn’t as advertised
If you can afford it I would strongly recommend going down the traditional construction route and using a reputable builder. Avoid a glazed roof, they look great but you will only be able to use the room for 6 – 8 months of the year. Pennine will try to install an oversized radiator butt this is false economy.
If anyone is having similar problems, I would recommend the use of an independent surveyor. It may cost a few extra pounds but in the long run it will be worth it as Pennine at first glance may seem helpful but in the end this won’t get resolved. If need be, I can point you in the right direction of a surveyor. Please leave a response on this review and I’ll come back to you.
One last item worth noting, If paid using Pennines finance which is a Debtor Creditor Supplier Agreement and as the orangery is not fit for purpose as claimed by their sales, advertising and marketing literature, both Pennine and the finance supplier are jointly and severally liable for these defects. I will be getting in touch with Barclays Partnering Finance to pursue this further with my solicitor.
www.barclayspartnerfinance.com
Tel - 0800 15 22 888
I also see this as a breach of the Consumer Credit Act and the Sale of Goods Act.
Thanks