ᐅ Window supplier does not deliver the agreed roller shutter box
Created on: 3 Jan 2021 08:58
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susanne1234Hello, we are currently in a new build project that was supposed to be delivered as a turnkey house. Unfortunately, we had major difficulties with the construction company and parted ways during the building process.
Now to the main issue. We received a quote from a window company, which we accepted. The company initially took rough measurements and then re-measured after the brickwork was done.
Our dissatisfaction started already at delivery. The windows were dragged directly over the concrete without any protection and simply placed against the masonry. Additionally, as laypersons, we noticed that the installation was improper. The windows were partially foamed only at the edge of the masonry with Styrofoam strips within the insulation layer, and no other fastenings were installed. Furthermore, all the external roller shutter boxes were 5cm (2 inches) too low in height and 10cm (4 inches) too shallow in depth, not matching the measurements from the quote. The internal and external sealing is also inadequate. We commissioned an inspector from the Association of Private Homeowners to review the defects and confirm them to the window installer again. Meanwhile, the windows are already sagging around the mid-rail area because they are not fastened to the lintel as required.
Unfortunately, we have already paid for half of the windows. Additionally, we have already sent the window installer a formal defect notification, but I do not expect the windows to be installed properly. Also, all 37 roller shutter boxes would need to be replaced.
Our lawyer says this will probably end up in court, and we will likely need to proceed with a judicial evidence preservation procedure. Moreover, a private expert report is usually rejected by the court. Of course, we cannot wait months for a court-appointed expert to inspect the matter. What options do we have, and what advice would you give us?
We are already under considerable time pressure due to delays caused by the first contractor.
Hausbau08153 Jan 2021 17:33And they certainly won’t allow themselves to be watched while cutting corners.
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Schlenk-Bär3 Jan 2021 17:34Hausbau0815 schrieb:
Installation and sealing according to the guidelines of the Institute for Window Technology Rosenheim or sealing with three-level sealing tape. But who had actually dealt with such things at that time? Exactly. Thank you very much for your response. It will be saved in the construction folder...
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knalltüte3 Jan 2021 17:46Well, the Blower Door test is coming up for us soon (January?).
The window installer will be there together with our architect/energy consultant. The Blower Door test should ALWAYS be done before drywall installation on exterior walls, as well as before plastering. Otherwise, it only shows the current status, which can no longer be changed afterward. That’s pointless and should be obvious – right?
Our architect also recommended the window installer to us. By the time of the Blower Door test, it will be clear whether the building is airtight or not. But it’s not just about airtightness. For us, in addition to very narrow compression sealing tapes, foam was applied both inside and outside and was immediately taped over. As a result, the foam beads are sometimes so thick that the reveal cannot be properly finished. Also, the tape application is, to put it politely, very wrinkled and uneven. I suspect it’s not airtight.
Apparently, there are a thousand different ways to botch this 😡
The window installer will be there together with our architect/energy consultant. The Blower Door test should ALWAYS be done before drywall installation on exterior walls, as well as before plastering. Otherwise, it only shows the current status, which can no longer be changed afterward. That’s pointless and should be obvious – right?
Our architect also recommended the window installer to us. By the time of the Blower Door test, it will be clear whether the building is airtight or not. But it’s not just about airtightness. For us, in addition to very narrow compression sealing tapes, foam was applied both inside and outside and was immediately taped over. As a result, the foam beads are sometimes so thick that the reveal cannot be properly finished. Also, the tape application is, to put it politely, very wrinkled and uneven. I suspect it’s not airtight.
Apparently, there are a thousand different ways to botch this 😡
Wolkensieben3 Jan 2021 17:56The blower door test conducted at the right time saves a lot of trouble.
Hausbau08153 Jan 2021 17:58This foam nonsense should be banned. There are regulations and standards for every little thing, but when it comes to sealing windows, everyone does it however they please. This is what our third sealing attempt looked like.
Schlenk-Bär schrieb:
How can you ensure that windows are properly installed nowadays? Not finding a convincing and satisfactory answer to this question was a major reason for me to temporarily step away from the window industry. Basically, as a homeowner, you have to reverse the usual process, meaning you should first find a reliable installer and have them supply the windows as well. But customers also must do their part to help this troubled market get back on track – because buyers often let their price expectations be undermined too much by low-cost installers who provide poor-quality installation as a package deal. For that reason, every good installer knows horror stories but understandably does not want to experience the "saviors get bitten by the dogs" situation due to warranty issues. In summary, what customers can do:
1. Be aware (also in terms of price) that installation is an essential part of the overall quality of the product.
2. Understand that installers are unwilling to work for customers who won’t allow them a reasonable trade margin.
3. To be safe, read up a bit on what matters during installation (just like with external thermal insulation composite systems there are many expert videos showing nightmare examples).
4. (Also in other areas like kitchen installation) steer clear of craftsmen who come prepared like action heroes with a whole bandolier full of silicone and foam guns – they usually apply the “one gun fits all” method to everything except what is “up in a tree.”
5. Plan to take some days off to be present on the construction site – see point 3, because being an over-critical controller who embarrassingly cites the wrong standards only destroys their own authority without any benefit.
6. Only after completing points 1 to 5 successfully (since otherwise it’s of little use), consider contributing a bit to the working atmosphere on site with some casual catering like sandwiches and drinks.
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