DOUBLE GLAZING
PAYMENT
Your contract should lay out the guidelines as to when payment
is due, or it may be possible to negotiate the terms of payment
before signing the contract. These can be drawn up to include
stage payments, where you only pay for the work that has been
carried out.
Many firms will allow you to take out a finance agreement which
will allow you to pay in instalments.
Make sure that you understand the terms of the agreement and the
rate of interest that you may be paying. Only pay for the work
when you are completely satisfied with it.
NOTE: You do not have to pay for work which you did not ask to
be done.
Keep a record of all invoices and materials. Check the final bill
carefully.
WHERE YOU STAND ON...
Deposits: Most Double Glazing installers will require a deposit
on acceptance of a quote. Only pay a reasonable amount - usually
less than 25% of the total. Apart from the deposit, try not to
pay any money in advance.
If a company you’ve paid a deposit to collapses before
they do any work for you, there are several ways to obtain compensation.
If the company belongs
to the Glass and Glazing Federation, (GGF) you may be able
to have the work carried out
through the Deposit
Fund. Another member company will carry out the work at the going
market rate, less the deposit you’ve already paid.
The scheme covers up to 25% of the contract price, or £2,500
whichever is the lower.
If the company has gone into liquidation apply directly in writing
and as quickly as possible to the liquidator. However private individuals
are low on the priority list when it comes to paying off the company’s
creditors, so you may not get your money back.
Consider paying the deposit by credit card. In the event of there
being a breach of contract, such as the company going out of business,
the credit card company will become jointly liable with the glazier
for your money.
Your money may then be recovered from the credit card company.
Guarantees: Some firms offer what appear to be fantastic guarantees
on their work. While they may offer useful extra cover, do not
choose a company just because of its guarantee.
The firm might go out of business before the guarantee expires.
Therefore look for an insurance backed guarantee with your installer
so that you are covered regardless of any takeover or bankruptcy.
Schemes such as the Building Guarantee Scheme offer insurance cover.
These are available for work costing between £500 and £250,000
at a cost of 1% of the price (minimum £25).
You may also find that it is more difficult to claim under a guarantee
that you thought. In any case, read the guarantee carefully, and
remember that whatever the terms on offer your rights under the
Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 will still stand.
CANCELLATION RIGHTS
When you have ordered something from a seller in your own home,
such as double glazing, you may be able to cancel the contract
if you act quickly. This applies when you pay on credit or by
cash from a seller who has called uninvited.
If you have such a right, you must be given written notice of
it when you sign the contract, otherwise the contract is invalid.
If you do not want to go ahead you should cancel quickly.
Send a letter by recorded delivery so that you have proof of posting
and keep an photocopy of your letter. Check to see if the contract
included customer cancellation options. If the Installation Company
is a member of the GGF you have the right to cancel the contract
within 7 days of signing the contract.
PASSING TRADE
Never agree to have work done on the spot by a person who calls
at your home uninvited. If you are interested, take a note of
the name, address and telephone number of the person and ask
for a price. They won’t mind calling back if they are genuine.
Before you agree to anything, check they are an established glazier
with business premises you can visit and compare their offer
to others.
CAN I AFFORD IT?
Many firms offer credit facilities. If you are considering
this, insist on being told how many instalments you will have to
pay
and what the total amount repayable is - including the credit
charges.
It is up to you to find out. Remember that credit charges can
vary. Compare quotations from other sources. A bank loan or borrowing
from another finance company might be cheaper.
READ BEFORE SIGNING
Don’t sign anything unless you have read it in full and understand
it. If you are unsure or unclear about anything, ask the glazier
to leave the contract with you for a few days. Talk it over with
someone, or take the contract to a local advice centre and ask
them to explain it to you.
NEVER SIGN A BLANK FORM EVEN IF YOU ARE TOLD THAT IT WILL SAVE
TIME!
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