French Door measurement

[Rojomateus]

Hi

Having a bit of a nightmare. Have 2 windows that I wish to replace with french doors. One is in the kitchen currently above kitchen sink unit run and the other is in a study. When I ordered them (along with windows for whole house) was not made clear to me that I would be responsible for removing the block work. I have now also discovered when the surveyor came out to measure for the windows he only measured the width and no height measurement as the builder would do this. The normal builder used by the company is too far away to come do the removal work so I have been seeking locally. Finding it very difficult to get someone to price (property is a little off the beaten track.). The two prices I have so far are extortionate (they obviously did not want the job!). But more importantly neither would give me a height measurement before I would agree to the quote and them doing the work. Spoke again to the surveyor who says add 20mm to the measurement of the window height to the concrete. Does this sound right? Have considered taking out the brick work myself with a friend but worried about damp proof course etc and if I don't cut straight line etc..... One builder came out but wanted me to cancel the doors with the other company and get some from him instead.... also questioned my decision in general. Totally fed up at the moment trying to sort this! Worried about hidden problems and having whole boarded up for a while..... (I thought builder would just take out the wall and leave window for the window guys to take out but apprently they have to take it all out? correct?).

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I would expect to employ a builder to remove the windows and create the new openings and then temporarily board up.

Then get the french doors ordered to fit the actual finished opening sizes.

 

[Rojomateus]

I would love a builder to come and do this but as I said above struggling! The windows take 5 weeks minimum to make from when they have the measurements … cannot imagine that I could have my home boarded up and secure for 5 weeks (in winter also)… maybe I’m wrong?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Well if you order windows without the finished sizes then you have to hope the builder gets it spot on so you're increasing the risk of things going wrong.

 

[Rojomateus]

I was going to use the size the surveyor told me he would take?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Sure but if the builder gets it a bit off then you'll be the one left carrying the can. Can you rely on the builder to build it completely accurately?

 

[crank39]

What's wrong with measuring to top of damp course

 

[ronniecabers]

Tbh , as a window company, we measure up, order , remove wall and window and refit. Removing the wall isn't too complicated, just a case of getting the cuts straight. Normally you'd expect the door to be sat above the damp course. I'm more worried that they appear not to know the height