marmic

ps - and for supply only credit completely normal with builders merchants!

thank you - will be getting my head into this saturday with plenty of coffee!

thank you. on my call list for tomorrow 😀

thank you for responses - any more recommendstions welcome please. will be trying to find time to make some calls tomorrow. ref payment terms on supply and installed nothing like buying sausages! More comparable perhaps with a meal in a restaurant - you woudn't accept or pay for it if dished up on a mouldy plate or it was raw chicken with grass sprinkles for veg! Yes a ridiculous analogy I know - but would you pay in advance for say some decorating work - the answer has to be no! I work in the construction industry (mainly commercial) for a specialist sub-contractor and agent for a number of manufacturers - it's completely normal not to pay in full until work complete and to a satisfactory standard and handed over snag free, then generally retention (often at 5%) for defect period. usual scenario is 50% released at project PC, 50% at 12 months! terms usually agreed on credit checks / risk - so yes occasionaly in full in advance with stage payments. Vesting certificate generally then required. The window company mentioned didnt even know what that was! So yes I'm finding it a bit of a culture shock how suppliers and manufacturers treat self builders and it seems quite a number of them assume we'll all do exactly as we are told! Yes of course payment terms will be less generous as companies need to protect themselves to an extent against individuals not paying, but paying for everything in advance is not reasonable if supply and install! Which I see as a de-risking exercise (as long as payment terms leave something on the table!). Supply only yes a different conversation, but then if a third party used for install and it goes wrong they will be blaming each other. And yes everything will be throughly checked for correct install and procurement undertaken with very careful due diligence! Timber frame terms renegotiated - everyone happy. Another timber frame company nearly secured the order until they insisted on a ridiculous contract being signed (putting all risk on me and making a mockery of a so called fixed cost) and unreasonable payment demands............ The customer should be issuing the contract! BE CAREFUL OUT THERE 😀

Hi all, have added my question to an existing discussion but thought worth posting new too: Any recommendations please for passivhaus timber windows and doors supplied and installed (properly!) with sensible payment terms (alu-clad finish ideally). Had been talking to a company which seemed a likely choice, but rather arrogant in end with full payment required in advance of install, and won't budge. And stating they won't make mistakes and if there is an error it will be the fault of the timber frame company! many thanks..............m

Hi all, have been trawling around looking for MVHR design info to enable me to work it out myself with a view to buying unit and ducts etc and fitting - but struggling to find guidelines. Assume key points will be room volumes / positioning within rooms / duct volumes/lengths. (we are building a circa 100m2 single storey passivhaus). Hoping somone might have some pointers please? I'm about to look at in detail and need to make some decisons. Mostly exposed ducts - plant room for the unit itself. duct layout should be straightforward with primary straight runs through central hallway with branches off into rooms I did approach a few companies at early stages some time back now wanting a conversation - but just received quotes (useful for cost plan but not requested!). Unfortunately they just give lump sums and can't say what they've allowed for in terms of design - but won't design until ordered, and for a fee! Seems like a rather cloak and dagger market! And commisioning? Really necessary? Surely can't be that complicated!? We aren't going to buy something without due diligence and understanding what we are getting so finding it all very frustrasting / strange!! Or failing a diy design and buying components option 2 is a supply and install company who will actually have a proper conversation and discuss reuirements in detail - hoping somebody has had some good experiences with a company that is more up front and can provide a recommendation please? many thanks

Hi all, glad I've found this discussion which confirms to me yes it's a very mixed bag out there! We commence soon on a timber frame passivhaus project and need to make some decisions on windows/doors. Seems to be plenty of experience here and wondering if anyone can narrow down which suppliers/manufacturers offer supply and install please to high standards, which in theory de-risks things. Have been trawling around websites and straightforward info rarely obvious. (i wouldn't place two orders for separate supply and install). And with sensible payment terms. Currently only spoken to one (no names!) at early stages including a quotation. On paper seemed a very likely choice and i don't doubt the quality (albeit not checked further as yet) but having spoken further with them they insist on unreasonable payment terms wanting the whole lot before anything installed, which in my book is completely unreasonable as leaves nothing on the table as a lever if they get anything wrong - which the chap I was talking to said was not possible, and that if there were any errors it would be the timber frame company! Arrogant? many thanks