PVC windows and doors

piaget

Quick question, how long should handles last on PVC units, had the whole house and extension done in PVC DG units about 3 and a half years ago.

Good Friday the handle in the bathroom window broke (handle moves but wont release the locks), rang the company and they said handles are only guaranteed for 2 years:eek: as they are a moving part.

Find this a bit much as previous aluminium units were installed for years without a problem.

Would welcome any advice.

BryanF

Go all over the web and Ireland, highlighting your issues, with as much negative publicity for this company and PVC windows generally as you can muster.

and be sure and let the company know what your doing,

I'm sure you'll reach an amicable solution before they sue you for slander

piaget

BryanF wrote: »

Go all over the web and Ireland, highlighting your issues, with as much negative publicity for this company and PVC windows generally as you can muster.

and be sure and let the company know what your doing,

I'm sure you'll reach an amicable solution before they sue you for slander

Given I have'nt mentioned the company name I am not sure where the "slander" comes in.

Also I think a window handle should have more than a guaranteed life of 2 years or are we just used to accepting shoddy quality in this country nowadays.

BryanF

That was an inappropriate post by me.

I empathise with you, there are a lot of people in your situation too. (uPVC is a cheap alternative and as you've found problems don't arise for a few years, generally outside of a very short warranty period as you have experienced)

I'm merely suggesting you find a means to let the public know of your issue with this company so as too improve customer awareness of such products and their flaws.

maybe try http://www.ombudsman.gov.ie/en/

There are remedial methods of fixing handles etc. contact your local lock smith or joinery. good luck

muffler

Hang on here BryanF. First of all you suggest that the OP should slander the company involved and now after realising that it was a nasty thing to post you suggest that he finds an alternative way to basically "bad mouth" the company concerned. Please dont post rubbish like this again.

Talk about putting the cart in front of the horse. Settle down and read the post and respond accordingly.

muffler

piaget wrote: »

Quick question, how long should handles last on PVC units, had the whole house and extension done in PVC DG units about 3 and a half years ago.

Good Friday the handle in the bathroom window broke (handle moves but wont release the locks), rang the company and they said handles are only guaranteed for 2 years:eek: as they are a moving part.

Find this a bit much as previous aluminium units were installed for years without a problem.

Would welcome any advice.

There would have been a written guarantee with the windows when fitted or it may have incorporated with the estimate and/or the invoice. Id suggest you read that first and see where you stand. If you cant find the details ask the company concerned to post you a duplicate.

Most if not all window/door manufacturers and suppliers will wave the big "10 year guarantee" banner all around the place but when you read the small print you will most likely find that the moving parts and the workmanship are generally only covered for 2 years.

BryanF

muffler wrote: »

Most if not all window/door manufacturers and suppliers will wave the big "10 year guarantee" banner all around the place but when you read the small print you will most likely find that the moving parts and the workmanship are generally only covered for 2 years.

fair enough Muffler

anyway, the two years is up, so what does he do?

I've had similar issues with window companies, and ill bad mouth them any chance I get (not here of course), it hopefully gives work to the better companies.

Stove Fan

If you have read their terms and conditions and they are not covered,
I would send them a polite letter outlining your dissapointment that the handle has only lasted 2 years and would they replace as a gesture of good will.

It's only the price of a stamp and the worst case is a no. They may offer 50/50. Good luck.

Stove Fan:)

muffler

BryanF wrote: »

anyway, the two years is up, so what does he do?

As mentioned previously the contract is the first port of call. If the locks, handles, hinges etc are covered for 4 years for example then the OP is on the pigs back as they say.

However I dont see this happening so I think, as nicely put by Stove Fan, the best thing to do is to contact the company and play nice.

He could say that he expected the moving parts to last much longer and was very disappointed, was going to recommend this company to neighbour who was looking for replacement windows but was doubtful now, his sister got her suppliers to change a couple of handles free of charge after 5 years, their reputation was great but it would be sad to see it diminish now because of this little problem, offer to pay for replacement parts if they supply the labour etc etc.

Loads of things that could be put in writing in an attempt to seek an amicable solution or at least a compromise. If all else fails then it wont cost an arm and a leg to replace them.

muffler

BryanF wrote: »

I've had similar issues with window companies, and ill bad mouth them any chance I get (not here of course)

Im assuming you are a young man and, you know, some years ago I would probably have done the same but you live and learn.

Dont get me wrong here. There's no harm in highlighting issues like this but only if the company are acting very unreasonable and at odds with any contract that existed. And then it should be only done as a last resort.

Puts me in mind of an old story about the young bull and old bull standing up the hill looking down at the cows in the meadow. The young bull says "lets run down and do some of those cows" and the old bull looks at him and says "No, lets walk down and do the lot"

martinn123

piaget wrote: »

Quick question, how long should handles last on PVC units, had the whole house and extension done in PVC DG units about 3 and a half years ago.

Good Friday the handle in the bathroom window broke (handle moves but wont release the locks), rang the company and they said handles are only guaranteed for 2 years:eek: as they are a moving part.

Find this a bit much as previous aluminium units were installed for years without a problem.

Would welcome any advice.

I would suggest, first try and establish if the Co you used, are window fabricators, do they have a factory making windows. If they do then an approach along the lines above may be successful, based on the reputation of the Co.

If however they purchased the windows and fitted on your home a different attitude will apply.

Window fitters merely pass on the guarantee they recieve, Glass 10 yrs, against units failing, PVC similar against discolouration, or failing weld, and moving parts 1/2 yrs depending on supplier.

So there is little appitite to step outside of this and be unable to pass on the costs.

However as has been stated above the remedy is not expensive, perhaps your local newspaper or Supermarket notice board will give you a local fitter who will carry out the repair.