New front door fitted badly.

Donutz · 19-08-2025 11:10AM #1

So we ordered a new front door a few months ago and paid in full before fitting. It was from a reputable company.

Yesterday two men came to fit the door. They were surprised that our house wasn't a new build as they said they usually only install new builds and they don't normally remove old doors before fitting. Apparently the company has a different team for this type if job.

Nevertheless they got to work on the job and removed the old door and fitted the new one. They then had to go to a hardware store to buy tools and supplies to finish the fitting and do the skimming. They didn't have these tools on hand as they didn't think they'd need them.

They finished their work and took off for home but not before leaving a 3cm empty gap beneath the threshold of the door. They also left a 3cm gap between the existing flooring and the door. The filler they used for the walls didn't set and is softer than play dough. They filled the gap on the outside of the door with clear silicone and to be honest it looks as though the walls around the doorframe were hit by a mild earthquake.

We rang the company this morning and asked that they rectify it immediately as we are not even sure that underneath the threshold is watertight. Company says they will send out the same guy in 2 to 3 days. We don't want the same guy. We'd prefer somebody more competent. We told them this but they don't seem to want to send anybody else out. In fact the person on the phone didn't seem too bothered about our complaint.

Does anybody have any advice on what action we should take?

Nigzcurran · 19-08-2025 11:15AM

Is it a company based in dundrum?

Donutz · 19-08-2025 11:29AM

No. They are based in Limerick

brokenbad · 19-08-2025 11:35AM

A photo of the ill fitting door would be good to provide context…

Donutz · 19-08-2025 11:43AM

Here are some photos

brokenbad · 19-08-2025 12:15PM

That is shocking workmanship from so called "professional" door installers….

CalamariFritti · 19-08-2025 12:26PM

That is a shocking job and you have every reason to be furious. This should be properly worked in, proper cement work and everything. There will always be some touch up required, paint job etc, a tile or two, but other than that you should hardly notice there has been a new door installed. This looks like it was done by squirrels.

You should not let yourself be fobbed off and as you said yourself I wouldnt trust the original guys to be able to rectify this.

Sadly though I think you made a big mistake.

You may not find this very helpful right now, sorry, but for the future NEVER pay the full amount in advance. That shop has no incentive now to fix this to your full satisfaction. It shouldn't be this way, customer satisfaction should be incentive enough but sadly it very often isnt. I hope this is not the case here and wish you the best of luck.

Donutz · 19-08-2025 12:27PM

The thing is, they have great reviews on Google. All their door installations seem to be perfect. I even know a few of the people who have left the reviews.

I offered to send them photos to show the state they left it in but the person on the phone wasn't interested. She just kept insisting that the original fitter come out and rectify.

I have a suspicion that the measurements that were taken originally may have been wrong as the frame is thinner than what was originally there.

I'm so annoyed that I'm even considering doing a chargeback on my card.

Donutz · 19-08-2025 12:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123735884#Comment_123735884

I understand this but from ringing around every local company seemed to be looking for 50% upfront and 50% before fitting. I specifically paid by card so that I would have a chargeback option if things went bad.

easygoing39 · 19-08-2025 12:36PM

Very bad that,not surprised your upset.Chargeback if it's an option would be a good idea,then pay for the job when it's finished to your expectation.

Cordell · 19-08-2025 12:38PM

I can confirm that 50% when ordering and 50% just before fitting seems to be the norm. I too had a new front door and some windows fitted two years ago by a Limerick company, but the work was done to a high standard, they installed trims all over and the skimming was almost perfect for painting and they cleaned (even hoovered) after themselves.

I'd say let the original team do all the work required until it's properly done and if still unhappy then try CCPC or even small claims.

CalamariFritti · 19-08-2025 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123735912#Comment_123735912

Thats not the way it was when I got new doors 2 years ago. They were very happy with 50% upfront and 50% when all complete. I understand some upfront payment, company needs some assurance too, but not the full amount.

You absolutely need to hold enough back to make it impossible for them to ignore you. 50:50 is perfect. Chargeback is kinda going nuclear, way easier when a substantial amount is to be paid after completion.

Nigzcurran · 19-08-2025 12:44PM

My lord that's a shocking job. The original fitter should not be let near that again. I had a mess of a front door fitted by a different company but luckily I had only paid half up front so I insisted on a replacement door after them sending out numerous "expert" fitters to rectify it. That is truly an absolute disgrace of a job

Donutz · 19-08-2025 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123735938#Comment_123735938

It might be nuclear but I've paid almost 3k for a new front door.

There was a perfectly acceptable front door on my house yesterday morning and today there isn't. I think I'm being reasonable in expecting them to try and rectify it in the next 24 hours.

If it turns out that they have got the measurements wrong I'd expect them to fit a temporary door that fits while they order the door I paid for.

I'm just concerned at their lack of concern and that's why I'm already considering going down the route of the chargeback.

10-10-20 · 19-08-2025 01:00PM

That is about 3 times worse than I ever thought it was going to be! I'd be escalating that big-style and start preparing to hit their social-media on the matter. Those photos won't be long dissuading any new customers from steering away.

JVince · 19-08-2025 01:03PM

firstly, I'd avoid using the word "competent" in any negative manner. Its a very defamatory word and can put people on the defensive immediately.

I'd have told them that the guys themselves said that they don't normally do work on more mature houses, so it would be great if one of the guys who does understand issues with mature houses could be sent to rectify the issue.

Whilst it doesn't look great, its probably easily rectified by someone who understand the intricities of installing doors on an older house. Send them a polite email with the photos and ask if it could be rectified by the weekend as weather is to turn wet next week.

Only if they don't rectify it within a few days should you make any mention of workmanship, chargeback, posting poor review or anything else that would be see as a negative

Cyrus · 19-08-2025 01:04PM

thats horrific, you must be raging.

nachouser · 19-08-2025 01:09PM

It's incredible someone walked away from that thinking "job done!"

Donutz · 19-08-2025 01:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123736023#Comment_123736023

I had a weather tight house yesterday. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect them to make it weather tight by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Waiting until the weekend is not acceptable.

geotrig · 19-08-2025 01:28PM

do they have a office you can call into ,they might be less dismissive if you are there in person looking for it to be rectified asap ,just be firm on what you want without getting agitated.

Donutz · 19-08-2025 01:41PM

Their office is a good 1hour drive away. I managed to find an email address for the fittings manager. Sent off a few of the photos and to be fair he got straight back to me and said he was going to show his manager and get it sorted ASAP

NIMAN · 19-08-2025 02:42PM

Talk to Joe.

tphase · 19-08-2025 05:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123736423#Comment_123736423

or Joanna

TheSunIsShining · 19-08-2025 05:32PM

The frame is being held up by wooden shims?? That's comedy tragedy territory. You must be absolutely furious - as I would be if I had paid 3k for that job.

One question? Do you have any spare tiles for the floor? Even if someone manages to make the door perfect - or you get given a new door - your floor is going to be an issue without a spare tile?

Donutz · 19-08-2025 06:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123736934#Comment_123736934

We're actually getting new floors done too so that's not a problem. The floor guy is all ready to go but was waiting until after the door was done. Looks like he'll be waiting a while longer.

I think the reason it's so bad is because the depth of the new door frame seems to be 30mm shorter than the one that was removed.

I reckon either the person that measured got it wrong or that somebody else ordered the same door as us with smaller depth and they mixed up the orders.

Former Former Former · 19-08-2025 06:53PM

My bet is that the installation is done by a third party and that’s why the company wants to send him back to fix it.

That’s absolutely shocking. If you don’t get very quick action I’d tell them you’re posting the pics to Google reviews, that usually gets a response.

Summer2020 · 19-08-2025 06:59PM

That’s genuinely shocking work. Looks like a bad diy job , certainly not what you’d expect from a professional

TheSunIsShining · 19-08-2025 07:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123737086#Comment_123737086

That's good at least re re floor. Looking there again. The filler is running I think? I don't think I've ever seen such a disastrous attempt at reinstating damaged plaster....

enricoh · 19-08-2025 07:21PM

That's woeful tbh. I'd tell the rep you're not accepting them 2 fellas back, they are not up to it tbh. They'll have a couple of quality fellas for plum jobs tell him to send them. Any quibbling n mention charge back and do it.

callaway92 · 20-08-2025 09:51AM

Something similar was brought up on the RTE Show ‘The Complaints Bureau’ in the most recent season. Absolute mess of a job

Hooked · 20-08-2025 01:09PM

Fellow Limerick person here - and I'm an avid DIYer… In fact, I have done EVERYTHING in my "old home" myself, from carpentry to electrics,to knocking walls, installing steel beams, building kitchens, coffered ceilings, plastering, etc… you name it. Why? Because I love it.

And also because I'd trust NO ONE else in my home these days. The 'professional' standards these days are SHOCKING!!!

Do me a favour… no, do YOURSELF a favour. Get off boards and EMAIL the company. NOW. Include the photos and the "comments" about "They were surprised that our house wasn't a new build as they said they usually only install new builds and they don't normally remove old doors before fitting. Apparently the company has a different team for this type if job."

That install is beyond poor. Get the charge back on your card moving ASAP.

And don't let those two COWBOYS inside your door.

Get it in writing… now. And if anyone rings from said company - ask for the owner / most senior person to pay your house a visit. Jesus wept, I'm angry for you.

New front door fitted badly.

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