What would you do regarding this window & cladding issue?

Hi all, sorry this is a longish poist but I would like your opinion on this matter.


I recently employed the services of a roofer to install colourbond wall cladding to the external of a house. I also removed the existing windows to have them replaced with new aluminium ones.

The installer insisted on leaving the windows out whilst they install the cladding and picture frame flashes and then I could install the windows. I queried, this but they assured me it was fine.

What transpired was that they stopped the cladding and trim at the jamb studs and didn't make allowance for the reveal. This I could live with and let them know I would have the window order changed to not have a fin and reveal attached.

The next issue was when the window supplier came to measure up, they refused to install the windows as there would be no waterproofing. The cladding installer argued the point of waterproofing with the installer to no avail.

The cladding installer asked me if he was to find a window supplier who would supply and install windows, would I be prepared to change suppliers. I agreed knowing I had already paid a deposit to the original window suppliers. I just wanted the issue gone.

The cladding supplier met me on site with his preferred window supplier who also rejected the install of windows. I also checked with two other suppliers who also refused.

We eventually went back to the original window supplier who required another flashing to be installed with a 15mm lip on the inside of the widow frame that the window would butt up hard to and stop leaking.

The cladder admitted the error, had the flashings made up and at least there was a resolution. I would have windows with no reveals and a a visable 15mm of sheet metal around the inside of the new windows. I also had the issue of the windows not all being set in the same distance from the internal face of the frame.

This meant I would need to rip down every reveal. I have since found that the window flashings and therefore the windows were not installed square so all my reveals will not be square.

This all took time aned just under 4 weeks later my 10m x 10m by 2.7m exterior was finished. I lost the plasterer who moved onto a larger job, I had to wait another 5 weeks after the cladder finished to get windows as the window supplier couldn't measure till the new flashings were complete.

I have 2 x 300mm gables on the house and asked early in the piece on what the price to clad them would be. I never received a quote and the last week when I turned up on site, the eaves had been clad without my prior knowledge. When I asked why they did it ( I had been given a good quote for the gable soffits in fibre cement), they said it took no time and they just made the house look neat.

I paid the agreed price on the original quote the day they completed even though I would now have the extra expense of cutting in every reveal and having it ripped down and using thicker reveal to hide the flashing. I later found the cladders had for whatever reason cut my telephone line at the house level and below the ground. It looks like it was yanked and the cable broke.

I was then sent another bill for another 20% of the cost of the job for the 2 x 10m x 300mm eaves to be installed. The material used was the waste from the original job.

I refused to pay the extra 20% and told the installer I was happy to talk to the business owner about the extra. The installer agreed to have the owner call the next day. I heard nothing and 8 weeks later, today I am painting away and get a knock on the door and the owner is demanding payment or he will be back this afternoon to rip down the soffits.

There has been considerable cost to me in this ( I haven't mentioned everything) to make good their initial cock up and get the telephone line fixed.

What would you do? As mentioned I paid the original quote in full on completion.


cheers,


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