Post by engineerone on Feb 21, 2008 16:14:35 GMT
re the things mentioned in the post that paul chapman made from the "other place" and jason's comments about becoming fensa registered, plus the other thing about the federation of master builders, plus what we all know about the guild of master craftsmen, i thought to remind you of a couple of things.
these are particularly relevant if we are going to have the recession many economists are projecting.
the most important thing to remember is that if a company goes bust after you have paid them, but before they have completed the work, you are unlikely to get what you paid for. UNLESS, either 1 you have paid by credit, not debit or charge card, and the administrator is prepared to be a little lenient.
or 2 you have a large enough with holding, and the payments are dependant upon inspections.
then when the company that is now no longer running is sold, rarely do the new buyers take on the obligations in a legal sense. what they are buying is the right to look over customers, and see how they are gonna make money. it is in their interest to say that the previous work was rubbish, but that we will rectify it, however ,you will have to pay an extra amount.
so if someone offers you a guarantee, make sure you get it before the work finishes, make sure you have a 3rd party to inspect for the stage payments, and make sure you have a retention.
it seems to me that most of the guys here who make their living out of woodwork, or joinery are pretty decent, however, unfortunately the industry does have a bad name for customer service, and because there are few areas where you need to be licenced, so let's us also ensure that we know going in what is likely to bite us in the ar*e.
paul
these are particularly relevant if we are going to have the recession many economists are projecting.
the most important thing to remember is that if a company goes bust after you have paid them, but before they have completed the work, you are unlikely to get what you paid for. UNLESS, either 1 you have paid by credit, not debit or charge card, and the administrator is prepared to be a little lenient.
or 2 you have a large enough with holding, and the payments are dependant upon inspections.
then when the company that is now no longer running is sold, rarely do the new buyers take on the obligations in a legal sense. what they are buying is the right to look over customers, and see how they are gonna make money. it is in their interest to say that the previous work was rubbish, but that we will rectify it, however ,you will have to pay an extra amount.
so if someone offers you a guarantee, make sure you get it before the work finishes, make sure you have a 3rd party to inspect for the stage payments, and make sure you have a retention.
it seems to me that most of the guys here who make their living out of woodwork, or joinery are pretty decent, however, unfortunately the industry does have a bad name for customer service, and because there are few areas where you need to be licenced, so let's us also ensure that we know going in what is likely to bite us in the ar*e.
paul
