Is this a reasonable amount of damage after new windows?

[Cherrybloss0m]

Hi all,

had some windows fitted. Is this amount of damage to the plaster to be expected? The window fitter (part of a national company) said they would make it good, but is it likely I will have to have it replastered to make it look good? Sorry never had new windows before!

The upright trim in-between the panes doesn't go to the top of the windows. That's not right.

Also looks like it doesn't go all the way to the sill, particularly on the left hand side.

@PragmaticWench I was just going to say the same . Unless they've left gaps so that a curtain rail can be fitted.

Ok thank you everyone. Have taken everything on board, I’ll see what the finished result is and then can flag any concerns I have as suggested here if we’re not happy. Thank you!

Have you paid in full?

@BringtheJury no not yet; they are coming back tomorrow so it isn’t a finished job.

So is this upvc in the front window bay? I suppose you can do that if it’s not a Victorian house

Oh heck no. We had all ours done and you actually couldn't tell from the inside that anything had changed. No damage to plaster or paint work whatsoever.

Did they say it was a two day job and finish at lunch on day one?

When I had new windows in a house I was renting there was minimal damage to decor and certainly no plaster missing or holes.

There was no damage when I had my windows replaced.

@mastertomsmum yes not a Victorian property, all the other houses on the road have UPVC. We couldn’t afford wooden windows and the old ones were rotten. @OneFrenchEgg no to be fair they did a full days work 🤣, I’m hoping that they can make good but the plaster is right down to the brickwork in places and I don’t think they’re likely to replaster (but maybe can fill without plaster I don’t know 🤷‍♀️). I am panicking a little that it seems to not be the general experience others have had.

You can do that if it’s a victorian house too 🙄

Absolutely not normal to have that amount of damage in my experience.

Well you can, but you probably wouldn’t

Sometimes windows can be changed and no plaster will come loose and then sometimes loads will fall off . Normally the older the house the more likely it can happen. Let them finish it and see if your happy with it.

I’ve taken wallpaper off before and the plaster on the whole wall has come off . 🫣

It's always difficult to tell how much damage will be caused when removing windows, sometimes you're lucky and they come away leaving a clean plaster line but often not.

While I'd say yours is on the higher side its not at all unusual and I wouldn't be worried at this stage.

However do make sure you inspect carefully and make sure you're happy before paying the balance.

@Diyextension thank you, the house is old but (stupidly) we had some of the rooms skimmed before we realised we needed to replace the windows. Fingers crossed they can make it good and then I can just repaint! Think I probably need to keep an open mind.

Sorry, crossed post with @Diyextension

@Surplus2requirements thank you that’s helpful. I probably should have waited for the finished result before posting but got a bit concerned. I don’t mind as long as they can make it good enough for me to just repaint. Taken on board the advice regarding payment too!

No not normal.

Where I live (market town in Lancashire) upvc is the norm for replacement windows in Victorian houses, because our houses are only worth a tiny fraction of London prices, so the cost of lovely purist wooden sashes would be a ludicrous percentage of the value.

Yeah she’s just talking rubbish . 🤨

@GiantKitten Same, but I'm in South Wales. My Victorian, 150 year old house has just had a new upvc bay window fitted and it's lovely. Similarly sized houses that are finished to a high spec, with upvc windows and doors, are worth around £160k, anything more than UPVC wouldn't be worth it!

It’s very hard to say. We had wooden windows replaced (with wood) recently in a very old cottage-loads of damage in places but it all got patched up fine by the fitter who is a carpenter. It looked pretty terrifying on the first day though - and wonkiness is par for the course for us as there’s not a straight wall in the house.
In a modern house I have different expectations.