Installation of folding sliding doors - and the CPA

xrapidx

xrapidx

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Posted a pic in another thread - had sliding folding doors installed this past weekend. I made arrangements that the same people who I bought the door from, do the install.

I then had someone round to quote for plastering the next day so I don't stuff it up :p

He noticed that the space between the door and the frame on either side of the frame at the bottom is way to much (1.6cm) - he said it should be even from the left to the right hand side, and that I should get this replace/repaired/whatever before he does the plastering.

So - roll on Monday, I contact the place I bought it from, they were immediately defensive saying I "accepted" the install on the weekend - and that the gap is normal. I then contacted the manufacturer who said the gap should be 5-9mm MAX - and it should be the same from left to right.

I sent this to the supplier - which they ignored, but the installer is coming around again on Saturday to see what he can do.

What are my rights regarding the CPA and this, in case they don't come right - considering I made sure the supplier provided the installer (I only paid the supplier, they arranged and paid the installer).

These doors arn't cheap - in the region of R12,500 IIRC - so its not something I'm prepared to leave. I also don't want to wait forever, as its currently a security risk, not properly plastered in, and not properly alarmed.

23hn8nk.jpg


o0a0ig.jpg
 
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You can actually see how the angle changes between door and frame in these pictures.
 
did they cut a new hole in the wall for the doors or did they use an existing one?

don't worry it will clean up properly and u will not see any defect. the gap is 1.6cm which is not a train smash.

I had a difference of 40mm from top to bottom! so I welded up some rectangle tubing and mounting pads to get the wall straight enough to fit he frames! grooved the wooden door frame to fit the rectangle tubing - now my french doors are so damn strong u can swing on them! had to install architaves on both sides to hide the gaps - now it looks great.
 
The problem with that sort of gap is you can easily get a small hand in there, and I'm sure it'll be easy to dislodge the door.

There was already a 3m sliding door in - they removed the plaster and door and fitted the new one - I even had them come round a few weeks before to make sure it would fit.

For R12,500 odd - I want a perfectly installed door.... not some hack job :p

It actually looks like doors were mounted to the frame at the wrong points (using rivets)
ms0wo3.jpg
 
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xrapidx said:
The problem with that sort of gap is you can easily get a small hand in there, and I'm sure it'll be easy to dislodge the door.

There was already a 3m sliding door in - they removed the plaster and door and fitted the new one - I even had them come round a few weeks before to make sure it would fit.

For R12,500 odd - I want a perfectly installed door.... not some hack job :p

It actually looks like doors were mounted to the frame at the wrong points (using rivets)
ms0wo3.jpg
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ah (facepalm) sorry man thought u meant the gap between the wall and frame! got to many windows open on my LT and was not paying full attention to yr statement.

Yes I must say the gaps are rather big! our doors at work are less than 5mm and have the weather strip or "brush" to seal off the gaps. the installer must get the "frame" SQUARE (without the doors in place) regardless of the gaps between the wall & frame. u can measure diagonally across from top to bottom and see if u get the same measurement, if not then they must redo!
 
That's the problem... I've checked the frame on either side with a level - and it seems fine, then the bottom and top... also fine... Also used a right angle in the corners and everything checks out.
 
I dont see a problem. The opening was not constructed or cut to the dimensions of your new door but rather the old door was removed. This means you would have had to either make up the shortfall before installing the door or later as is now the case.

What I suggest is putting some more shims to take up the spaces between where the brackets are. Then plaster. The only thing you really need to be satisfied with now is the strength of the brackets holding the frame in now. If this is ok then plaster.
 
Not talking about the opening between the door frame and the brick... talking about the space between the DOOR frame and the DOOR. i.e the two aluminium pieces...

This space is 1.6cm - where it should be a maximum of 0.9cm as per manufacturer.
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xrapidx said:
That's the problem... I've checked the frame on either side with a level - and it seems fine, then the bottom and top... also fine... Also used a right angle in the corners and everything checks out.
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ok so if yr frame is square then they *****ed up the doors themselves, bad install. did u check HelloPeter before hiring them?
 
Yeh - only one complaint - and strangely enough - almost exactly the same issue, no after sales support.

How would you stuff up the doors though? Personally, I think the left and right side door hinges were rivetted at the wrong height. (the door arrived assembled, with only the glass separate)
 
xrapidx said:
Not talking about the opening between the door frame and the brick... talking about the space between the DOOR frame and the DOOR. i.e the two aluminium pieces...

This space is 1.6cm - where it should be a maximum of 0.9cm as per manufacturer.
15hchv.jpg
Click to expand...

Oops.....yeah that does look bad.
 
Yeah thats bad, that type of door should seal right? Not have a gap?

Look like you could get the guy to fix it easily enough though. As for the work and who you would sue, the supplier, they contracted an installer, not you (if I read correctly). With regard to your CPA rights and actually enforcing them through the Consumer Commission, not sure what you can actually do, wait for the backlog to clear?

WRT common law, they didnt effect proper performance according to the manufacturer, and the margin of error I would say (although not being an installer of doors, how would I know) is unacceptably high. But you would have to plead in the alternative if you sued (I dont know about small claims court) out of the Magistrates Court, because you cannot plead for specific performance (the magistrates court will not order something if it cannot enforce it). Your alternative would be damages (the amount it costs you to fix the door). The amount is low though and an attorney will cost you more than its worth, so maybe go chat to a clerk at the small claims court.
 
Well - installer was here - and agreed that the door on the one side is mounted to high... 5mm - so if it drops by 5mm - it'll space the gap correctly, but it can't be dropped without making the hinges un-neat as you'll need to rivet in new holes.

I have phoned the supplier - but the person I was dealing with is unavailable - and will call me back, lets see what happens.

So - basically, the door can't be fixed without making it looking ****ty. Now we're moving onto week two with my house being at risk due to a door that I can't properly plaster in - and it not being alarmed.
 
xrapidx said:
Yeh - only one complaint - and strangely enough - almost exactly the same issue, no after sales support.

How would you stuff up the doors though? Personally, I think the left and right side door hinges were rivetted at the wrong height. (the door arrived assembled, with only the glass separate)
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yip they did not observe the correct gaps between the door & frame - installers fault - get him to replace the frames then re hang the doors!
 
spiff said:
yip they did not observe the correct gaps between the door & frame - installers fault - get him to replace the frames then re hang the doors!
Click to expand...

The installer didn't hang the doors - it was delivered like that... all he did was install the frame and glass.

Basically, an entire frame with doors riveted in was delivered, the installer had to install the frame into the wall - and then install the glass.
 
xrapidx said:
The installer didn't hang the doors - it was delivered like that... all he did was install the frame and glass.

Basically, an entire frame with doors riveted in was delivered, the installer had to install the frame into the wall - and then install the glass.
Click to expand...

I think that is probably the supplier's fault due to incorrect assembly
 
ChilliGirl said:
I think that is probably the supplier's fault due to incorrect assembly
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Exactly - was told they'd phone me back today - so lets see, they close at 12.

We really need an effective way of handling companies like this... once they have your money service is non-existent.
 
****ing awesome - I just noticed they also decided to move one of the clips, I was wondering how the doors aligned when the left and right side were mounted incorrectly.

1zovs47.jpg
 
Who do you address a letter of demand to when sending it to a company?

I now discovered the actual door doesn't latch when closed, the only way to keep it closed is to lock it - looking at the actual lock, you can see someone has filed it - probably to get it to fit with the misaligned doors.

It would seem I have either been sold a second hand door retrofitted to my property, or someone stuffed up in the assembly/manufacturer and tried to fix it without anyone noticing.
 
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