Wood under render

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I have recently had new windows fitted to a 1930's house. The wall is cement rendered.

The installation company claims they knew how to render. They had two initial attempts where within days the render cracked and fell off. By this time the width of render needing to be replaced had grown to about 150 mm around each window.

Third time they sent in their specialist - the specialist said the profile around the window was round and they could not render to it directly and would have to fit 25* 25 mm wooden strips to wall around the windows. The wood was screwed to the wall to form a complete frame around each window.

They then fixed galvanized plaster board corner strips on top of the wooden strips.

They then rendered over the front face only - one coat and stuck plastic strip to the side over the unprotected galvanized strips. There are gaps about 5 mm between the plastic and galvanized strip.

The problem I have now is that there are vertical and horizonal cracks appearing.

Is is this a normal way to render or install new windows.

The company has refused to come back and is FENCA registered. FENCA do not want to know?

Any advice is welcome?
 
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Was the area around the windows brick?

I can't see any reason why it could not have been rendered either to match the existing or rendered in a band to make a new feature, regardless of the background.

They should not have used galvanised beads or trim outside, and should be shot with a ball of their own sh17e if they used skimming beads.

Have you paid them?

Where are you based -anywhere near Beds Herts Bucks?
 
Hi Thanks for replying.

The area is brick.

They me to pay forced by sending me a court order, claiming the job had been completed to a satisfactory standard and that this method was acceptable, refusing to discuss further.

I am in the Midlands.
 
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Hi Thanks for replying.

The area is brick.

They me to pay forced by sending me a court order, claiming the job had been completed to a satisfactory standard and that this method was acceptable, refusing to discuss further.

I am in the Midlands.

If it is brick, then I really can't see any reason for not rendering it as per normal.

When you say court order, was it a letter threatening court action or a summons to County Court for small claims i.e. from the County Court proper.


Was it a lot of money? Perhaps you should consider taking them to the small claims court (under legal advice or Citizen's Advice Bureau etc of course ) You would have to get a report and quotes for putting it right.

The fact that they tried to render it twice indicates that the mthod they have used now is not standard practice, otherwise why did they not just do that first?

Obviously I can't comment on the legal side of it but I think it would be fairly easy to demonstrate that the work is not acceptable, and the materials used not fit for their purpose
 
I live in near Newcastle - under - Lyme.

They used an Internet site to issue a County Court order from Northampton This was a small claim and gave me 28 days unless I filed a counter claim.

My original reason for posting we to see if anyone had seen this method used i.e. - fix wood to wall and render over to make a square shape and leave wood and metal unprotected in the render?

From the few comments it sounds like they should not have done this and it is a quick fix.

I thank respondents for comments.

I will get a report and seek legal advice.[/img]
 
You are a bit far away for me to look at it, I'm afraid.

In their original quote, did they say they would 'reinstate' the render, replace it or repair it. In brochures etc, did any 'before and after' pictures show changes to reveals ?

You will need to do a bit of home work but please ask here if you need any more help.
 
Update after two years!!!! I thought I would share with the forum.
We had 10 windows fitted in 2007 and had many problems with 7. Main issue was these 7 were installed in render and had lots of problems with the render finish.
The company concerned tried to cover problems with wood over large gaps and render over the wood and with other bodges that went wrong.
Problem turned out to be undersized frames and fitted badly.
Only following when I got help from my insurance company, reports from a surveyor and got a solicitor involved did they agree to come back and replace the 7 windows and repair damage.
Cost me many hundreds of pounds on top of the original cost to get these reports and get them back to correct the problems. Sales guy nice when he took the order- completely changed after when we had the problems and not so much as an apology.
After many hours of phone calls and letter writing and many sleepless nights we are now sorted.
It was one of the worst experiences we have ever had.
Summary, this was a large company with a flashy sales room with all the BSI accreditations. All accreditations proved worthless.
Interesting lesson in law. These large companies know that they will do nothing until the conumer takes a risk and spends lots of money with the risk they may get no where. They work on the basis the consumer will be ground down and go away. You will not recover the costs you spend from these companies, they know this. It is very difficult for the average consumer to take a double glazing company to court.
I would strongly advice never sign on the day the sales guy visits. Read their contract look at small print and make changes to ensure you do not pay until the work is completed and until one month after. Make sure they are covered for damage to your property.
FENSA no help. Insurance company brilliant.
Thank you to other members for providing advice.
 

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