U2 Conservatories and Windows

In their defence, U2 Conservatories and Windows did get the plastering done in the end, but it took weeks of persistence from my husband to achieve that! It doesn't look as though the frame they have damaged will now be replaced. The company have any of three addresses.

Windows: I chose a design for the front door which matched the feature window and the other windows. When it was installed, the design differed. They explained that in the end they could not get the same design, but did not bother to tell me so I could choose something else! They did say they would change the glass part if I wanted to, but they made me feel very pedantic, so I decided not to. The feature window design was also wrong, and did not match the rest of the windows, and I did make a fuss about this, which they did sort out a few weeks later. The actual window installation to be fair was satisfactory, despite the design issues and lack of their communication.

Conservatory: The design of the conservatory meant that the guttering (boxed internal guttering) was not of the norm. The French doors were not to my satisfaction, as at manufacture the screws holding the door catches had been put in off centre so that the screen end was sticking out. They said that they could repair on site, but that just meant sanding it down, not at all satisfactory. I did not want second hand goods, top quality was what I was promised at the onset. However, I thought maybe I was being too picky and decided to live with it. The work on the conservatory took ages. This was due to workers not arriving when they said they would, and when questioned they blamed it on goods not arriving in time, which contradicted the excuse given by one 'manager' who said that the van had broken down!

You may think why on earth did you pay U2? Well, we paid for each part of the job as it was finished, or nearly finished. My husband is a fair man, so thought if we were fair with them, they would be fair with us, although I did ask my husband to hold back so much money, he said that was not fair, but is now kicking himself! But once you have paid out so much money you have to try and make the best of it.

Balcony: This was a disaster. The carpenter used to be a butcher and you could tell. The spindles were not what I wanted, but they used the story that due to the height required these were the only ones available. Again we were very naive, and now desperate for the job to be finished that we thought okay then, carry on. The majority of the work was finished, but the carpenter did not return. The replacement workman who came back to fix certain outstanding items told us that the 'carpenter' come butcher had taken photos of our balcony on his mobile phone to show his mates in the pub. Very unprofessional and certainly without our permission.

As with any job, particularly due to the scale of this one, there are always some minor things to put right, which I understand and U2 promised to finish these off including the issue on the French doors of the conservatory. During one particular conversation I had with the owner, he told me that there are worse problems like the famine in Ethiopia! I did not think I was asking him to solve the worlds issue on famine, but to undertake work as agreed at the onset on my property, but maybe my mistake! I would like to state that this remark sums up what a professional and considerate MAN he is, NOT! And he sent his second in command to try and fix them.

Some jobs were indeed fixed, i.e. handles originally put on the windows the wrong way around were sorted; and sealant finished off on the window sills. However, the issue about the French doors was still ongoing. Promises were made to come out, but of course, once they had payment in full, they didn't come back out. In the end U2 were simply not responding to phone calls.

Soon after, a family bereavement occurred, so having the energy to complain further was not an option. I investigated the option of complaining to Fensa, but I was informed that this just covered the windows, which, apart from the lateness of the workers turing up, we did not have a major issue with. Therefore we decide to cut our losses, put it down to a learning curve and put right ourselves.

Due to our niggling concern about the safety of the balcony, we called in another firm, as we had major concerns as to the safety of the rail. We have three small children.

The firm, who incidentally, I would highly recommend, advised us in no uncertain terms not to use the balcony until the rail had been refitted. The height was not in line with current building regulations, and the screws used should not have been, as they were not long enough to hold the rail safely. We asked him to redo the work for us immediately. In hindsight we should have taken photographs, but again this is another hassle, and due to the family bereavement other issues were taking a priority.

However, dealing with this other firm was completely different and unique! The workers turned up when they said, and on time, no money was asked for at the start, or during work in progress, and the work was of a high standard. As Joe public, it is not easy to establish what is a good job without comparing, and of course you go in blind due to inexperience, but this experience allowed us to compare, the second firm are top quality and showed up how bad U2 are.

At the same time of the second firm arriving, the conservatory was leaking when raining. The second firm looked at the roof and said it had not been sealed properly. I did telephone the offices of U2 and left a message, but as anticipated no response. The second firm fixed the problem by fitting a bracket on the outside to hold the seal together.

In summary, work related to windows is satisfactory; but the conservatory roof was not put right, nor issue of french doors agreed; plus we had to constantly chase to get the work finished. Top quality products were not used and total customer satisfaction was not achieved.

In a nutshell, if you just want windows installed, then if you use U2 you will get an okay job, as this is within their remit of ability. If you require anything else, it really is not worth the hassle.!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend U2 Conservatories and Windows to anyone, as it was a pleasure to deal with them, and I will do so again in the future.

This company do not realise that the individual has been protected, and that under the 'Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982' (as amended), the individual can claim a free repair or replacement. If this goes to a small claims court then the company will be liable for any charges, and also if the repair has to be undertaken, then all other costs to put the job right. A letter must be written and ideally sent to U2 Conservatories and Windows by recorded delivery.

Poor fitters and outfit, and they do not get back to you.

U2 Conservatories and Windows are a poor organisation!

I am very disappointed with U2 Conservatories and Windows, who are based in Cannock, Staffordshire. Don't always take the cheapest quote. Shop around and research the company you choose. I still now keep phoning this company to repair my front door, and every time, they say they will get it sorted, but still nothing after 10 months.

I paid over £3500 for 8 windows and a front door, and to be fair the other companies were not much more, and I wish I had chosen another one now, but unfortunately it's too late!!