Compensation offered for faulty installation

[BeGladHedgehog]

My spouse and I purchased a new build house. We have repeatedly reported that our front door (and frame) was not installed properly (and is at an angle to the threshold).

The firm that constructed the house have repeatedly sent out contractors to do the wrong job (they have tried to adjust the door within the frame, but this is never going to sort the incorrectly installed frame).

They have just offered us a pay off (£1,500), but we cannot decide whether to accept this or not - does anyone know how much it would cost to get a front door and frame installed, and how much damage it would cause (e.g. to plasterwork)?

Should we push for a greater payoff?

Or should we push for the builders to fix their mistake?

It might cost more than that to install and put right. I’d want it priced up before accepting that amount. Just buying our front door was £800 6 years ago, and prices have soared since then.

You could probably get the door replaced for that, but if any adjusting was required to the surrounding, I doubt it will cover it.

We had a new door last year installed for £850. We live in a cheap area. There was minimal plaster/paint damage. Infact, it was quite frightening how easily the (open door) and frame came out in the hands of the experts!

Surely you get 2 quotes, and if it's more you go back to them.

Doesn't sound like enough to get it properly sorted out to me. I would continue to push them to put it right and decline the £1500

Depends on how the frame is installed.

We have been in our newbuild for 2-years and our front door frame was misaligned. Took 12-months for the developer to finally fix it (they repeatedly tried to adjust the door within the frame before admitting defeat) with a new door & frame. We learnt exactly what the issues were as our problem went on.
Because of how our doors & windows are fitted (metal straps fixed to the internal blockwork) it is actually very disruptive to remove & replace a frame, the internal plaster has to come off and as the frame was being moved (however slightly) it meant new skirting & Amtico flooring where it no-longer fitted correctly.
A day to replace the frame and start to make good then several return visits for plastering, woodwork, decorating & flooring (all different contractors).

Get them to fix it.

Honestly if the basics like that are so bad I would pay for a snagging company to do a full check of the house which will include repair costs. You might have a lot of hidden nasties. My feeling is that will cover the door and fitting in a normal frame and not repairing the frame. Which is possibly why the keep getting people only willing to do that for the price they are offering. Or they don't care

I recently had a quote for a cheap pair of upvc French doors and they were £1200 before fitting. I would get a quote for the sort of door you want and fitting. And it may be more because it’s misaligned. Either push them to fix it or ask for £3k compensation