OH is just getting round to doing these doors ( despite other things
needing more attention)

Last winter he saw these in Wicks ( after I had Anglian and Everest round
quoting stupid amounts - 10K for two doors, one of which is £300 and the
other just under £700 in Wicks). OH claimed he could do the job. I
suspect he can put in 4ft French windows but I worry about the patio door
which is a 10ft sliding door. Both are desperate for replacing .

Now he has read a review saying Wicks doors are rubbish. One saying B&Q
doors are rubbish and frankly we cant go elsewhere. I don't know anywhere
besides I suspect they are all the same manufacturer anyway!

So, has anyone fitted a Wicks French or Patio door?
What are they like?
Are they easy to fit?
He will have to work on his own.

And what is this new (old) rubbish about having to get building regulations
for fitting them? Another ploy to make it impossible to do a job cheap as I
suspect? Like electrics?

Finally what's all this new b*lls being advertised b y firms about AAA
rated? As opposed to what?

There are so many firms and players in the field. All I want is the job done
cheaply ( priority) and well or by OH if he can as he will be easier if I
let him to do it. He doesn't like workmen and callers.

Thanks.

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
OH is just getting round to doing these doors ( despite other things
needing more attention)

Last winter he saw these in Wicks ( after I had Anglian and Everest
round quoting stupid amounts - 10K for two doors, one of which is £300
and the other just under £700 in Wicks). OH claimed he could do the
job. I suspect he can put in 4ft French windows but I worry about the
patio door which is a 10ft sliding door. Both are desperate for replacing .

Now he has read a review saying Wicks doors are rubbish. One saying B&Q
doors are rubbish and frankly we cant go elsewhere. I don't know anywhere
besides I suspect they are all the same manufacturer anyway!

So, has anyone fitted a Wicks French or Patio door?
What are they like?
Are they easy to fit?
He will have to work on his own.

And what is this new (old) rubbish about having to get building
regulations for fitting them? Another ploy to make it impossible to do a
job cheap as I suspect? Like electrics?

Finally what's all this new b*lls being advertised b y firms about AAA
rated? As opposed to what?

There are so many firms and players in the field. All I want is the job
done cheaply ( priority) and well or by OH if he can as he will be
easier if I let him to do it. He doesn't like workmen and callers.

Thanks.

Like anything in life you get what you pay for.
You don't need the top of the range and if it's above your budget, you
can't have it either
If the sheds sell it, people will have it installed in their homes, but the
products may only just meet industry standards such as security and thermal
insulation values. However, if installed correctly, they should give you
years of good service and at those prices, if they only last half as long
as the Market leaders that's good VFM IMO.
As for AAA rated... If you always stay in 5 Star hotels then you probably
want this standard, if like me you don't, then they are overrated. Recently
I was approached by an Anglian salesman whilst I was installing a new front
door for a neighbour... "Ah, I see you're fitting a Robin Reliant whilst
our AAA product is the Rolls Royce" he smarmed, "And how many Rolls Royce's
do you see parked down this street?" I shot back at him!

It's possible to fit alone but he'll struggle with the weight and
positioning.
Use the correct fixings, packers, foam and neutral cure silicone. Fix at
top and side only, not bottom. Make sure the existing unit are not load
bearing and that the openings can support themselves when the old units are
removed.

I would suggest getting a quote from a local independent supplier for a
price comparison against the top 3 boys before DIYing... You might be
surprised and you can ask them for local examples of their work and speak
to the customers.
As for building regs, I can't see an issue here apart from load bearing and
R values but just call your local planning office for advice... They are
usually very helpful and friendly.

Good luck.
HTH
Deano.


--
What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
masterfix{at}btinternet{dot}com

"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:


I would suggest getting a quote from a local independent supplier for a
price comparison against the top 3 boys before DIYing... You might be
surprised and you can ask them for local examples of their work and speak
to the customers.

Try finding one round here! I dont need people selling me things. I would
rather someone gave me a quote and left. The trouble is they wont. I looked
in the paper and couldnt find anyone I could ring up. No one in the village
seems to have had anything fitted for more years than I can recall ( I have
been here 15 years)

I do not want a rolls Royce even though I could afford it. Just an
affordable relaiable decent car ( window in this case). The house isnt good
ebough to have a millionaires windows in it.

As for building regs, I can't see an issue here apart from load bearing
and
R values but just call your local planning office for advice... They are
usually very helpful and friendly.

According to OH some new regulation means that if you fit the doors/ windows
yourself you have to have them inspected and certificated off ( or
whatever). If a firm does it , you dont.

sweetheart wrote:
"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:


I would suggest getting a quote from a local independent supplier
for a price comparison against the top 3 boys before DIYing... You
might be surprised and you can ask them for local examples of their
work and speak to the customers.

Try finding one round here! I dont need people selling me things. I
would rather someone gave me a quote and left. The trouble is they
wont. I looked in the paper and couldnt find anyone I could ring up.
No one in the village seems to have had anything fitted for more
years than I can recall ( I have been here 15 years)

I do not want a rolls Royce even though I could afford it. Just an
affordable relaiable decent car ( window in this case). The house
isnt good ebough to have a millionaires windows in it.

As for building regs, I can't see an issue here apart from load
bearing and
R values but just call your local planning office for advice...
They are usually very helpful and friendly.

According to OH some new regulation means that if you fit the doors/
windows yourself you have to have them inspected and certificated
off ( or whatever). If a firm does it , you dont.

Like this?
http://www.double-glazing-uk.co.uk/Englandwales.asp

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Dean Heighington
saying something like:

I was approached by an Anglian salesman whilst I was installing a new front
door for a neighbour... "Ah, I see you're fitting a Robin Reliant whilst
our AAA product is the Rolls Royce" he smarmed, "And how many Rolls Royce's
do you see parked down this street?" I shot back at him!

You should have asked him what the feck a Robin Reliant is.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:58:57 +0100, Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Dean Heighington
saying something like:

I was approached by an Anglian salesman whilst I was installing a new
front door for a neighbour... "Ah, I see you're fitting a Robin Reliant
whilst our AAA product is the Rolls Royce" he smarmed, "And how many
Rolls Royce's do you see parked down this street?" I shot back at him!

You should have asked him what the feck a Robin Reliant is.

Yes, I was just thinking that that's what I would have done!

--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

*lightning protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bob Eager wrote:

Yes, I was just thinking that that's what I would have done!

Ah. Should that have been a Reliant Robin? I was only very young when they
were around and he may have said it correctly, not me!

--
What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
masterfix{at}btinternet{dot}com

Dean Heighington wrote:
Bob Eager wrote:

Yes, I was just thinking that that's what I would have done!

Ah. Should that have been a Reliant Robin? I was only very young when they
were around and he may have said it correctly, not me!

Reliant Rhubarb, because they f@*t around and put the s**t up you.....

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...

Try finding one round here! I dont need people selling me things. I
would rather someone gave me a quote and left. The trouble is they wont.
I looked in the paper and couldnt find anyone I could ring up. No one in
the village seems to have had anything fitted for more years than I can
recall ( I have been here 15 years)

Nearest town/industrial estate! There will be someone. Try google instead
of paper. You could even get in touch with FENSA and ask them for the name
of your nearest suppliers.


I do not want a rolls Royce even though I could afford it. Just an
affordable relaiable decent car ( window in this case). The house isnt
good enough to have a millionaires windows in it.

That's the point I was making. Although, if you are that remote or in an
exposed location you might want to upgrade from what Wickes have?!

According to OH some new regulation means that if you fit the doors/
windows yourself you have to have them inspected and certificated off (
or whatever). If a firm does it , you dont.

Ok, you can still call them for advice and any fees they might charge you
to inspect the installation would still bring everything in a lot cheaper
than the prices you were first quoted by A and E.

--
What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
masterfix{at}btinternet{dot}com

On 14 Aug,
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:

So, has anyone fitted a Wicks French or Patio door?

Yes, Wickes.

What are they like?

No complaints, other than the (wide) cill sticks out more than the cill onte
upstairs window, an the drips are loud at night. Cured by timber facing on
the cill for now and will be finally fixed with bigger cill upstairs.

Are they easy to fit?

All but internal make-good done single handed in a (longish) day.

He will have to work on his own.

And what is this new (old) rubbish about having to get building
regulations for fitting them?

True

Another ploy to make it impossible to do a job cheap as I suspect? Like
electrics?

Mine was done before the regs came in 8^).

--
B Thumbs
Change lycos to yahoo to reply

"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...


That's the point I was making. Although, if you are that remote or in an
exposed location you might want to upgrade from what Wickes have?!

I am not in an exposed location. Far from it. I live in a valley renowned
for its mild micro climate. We are remote.

According to OH some new regulation means that if you fit the doors/
windows yourself you have to have them inspected and certificated off (
or whatever). If a firm does it , you dont.

Ok, you can still call them for advice and any fees they might charge you
to inspect the installation would still bring everything in a lot cheaper
than the prices you were first quoted by A and E.

Is it the case that we have to call them or is OH wrong? I am told by OH
we are likely to have to pay £150 - in which case is three days being cold
and without a door worth it? I could end up paying just as much. He wants
to do it , that is the problem.

But are Wicks doors OK or are they not up to spec? Are they hard to fit (
other than weight)?

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
"Dean Heighington" wrote in message
...

I am not in an exposed location. Far from it. I live in a valley
renowned for its mild micro climate. We are remote.

Ok. Then the Wickes product should be fine.

Is it the case that we have to call them or is OH wrong? I am told by
OH we are likely to have to pay £150 - in which case is three days being
cold and without a door worth it? I could end up paying just as much.
He wants to do it , that is the problem.

Call them to find out what their regs are and ask them to suggest their
method(s) to meet them. This will be a 'friendly' chat, they are there to
assist you (well my BCO is like that). Then you can ask them if they would
accept photos of the installation rather than an inspection. If not, you
can arrange for them to visit just before your OH installs the new units
(same morning if you plan it properly).
Why 3 days cold and with no door???
£150 sounds a lot but that may be the case with your BCO which is why you
need to speak with them.


But are Wicks doors OK or are they not up to spec? Are they hard to fit
( other than weight)?

They are as easy to fit as any PVCu units, if you are capable. I have no
idea of your OHs abilities so it's impossible to tell you but with the
right fixings: PVCu frame fixings, that have no Rawl
Plug but bite straight into a hole drilled in the brick/blockwork drilled
through the plastic frame taking care not to hit any metal reinforcements.
Don't distort the frame by tightening without packers at fixing points
between wall and frame.

Get those and it should be pretty easy. Close up any cavities in the manner
prescribed by the regs etc etc.

But call your BCO.

HTH

--
What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
masterfix{at}btinternet{dot}com

On Aug 15, 7:05*am, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:

Is it the case that we have to call them or is OH wrong? * I am told by OH
we are likely to have to pay £150 *- in which case is three days being cold
and without a door worth it? *I could end up paying just as much. *He wants
to do it *, that is the problem.

But are Wicks doors OK or are they not up to spec? Are they hard to fit *(
other than weight)?

At our last house, we got six quotes for windows and patio door, three
from big companies and three from small local outfits. The three big
companies bull****ted, told blatant lies, quoted stupid prices and
were quickly shown the door.

The three local companies quoted prices little more than Wickes for
the windows, which included fitting. Their prices for the patio door
were £200-£300 higher than Wickes. None of the local companies
hassled us and all were happy for us to visit their factories (and we
did visit the factory of the one we chose).

The slightly higher payment for having the windows/patio door fitted
was worth it in my opinion in terms of speed and hassle avoided, and
was a small percentage of the total cost, and we were happy with the
quality of what we got.

I fitted a Wickes 6ft patio door into a new extension on our current
house.

It needed two people to lift the frame into place (because it's big
and flappy and not half as rigid as I would have expected) and two to
lift the doors (because they're heavy).

The opening door is on the outside, not the inside like the door at
the previous house --- which I don't like and consider a security
risk.

The handle is too near the frame making it somewhat inconvenient to
turn the lock.

There was a bolt missing that was necessary to attach the lock, which
only became apparent when the door was installed. I phoned the
supplier helpline and discovered I was a few miles away from their
factory. Could I pick it up? "No, we're not insured for callers."
Well, can I stand on the pavement outside, call you on my mobile and
you can hand me the bolt? "No, we'll have to post it to you." So, we
went three days with an unlocked door.

The opening in the extension had been specced based on the stated
opening of the Wickes door. Unfortunately, what wasn't immediately
obvious was that the Wickes door included an optional header vent that
is apparently necessary in Scotland but not in England. This vent is
essentially a pair of f*cking great holes covered with flip down
plastic covers and, as far as I can see, is just an uninsulated tube
that wastes heat and money. I'm tempted to fill it full of spray
foam.

Wickes may meet the basic standards and be the cheapest but I don't
think it represents the best value. Paying slightly more for a better
product, to me at least, represented the better deal over all.
Generally though, I think Wickes stuff is pretty good.

Regarding Building Regs, how will anyone know you've installed it?
After it's been in x years, it's too late to do anything about it.
And how does this legal requirement stop cowboys like Anglian Windows
doing self-certified **** work?

"mike" wrote in message
...
On Aug 15, 7:05 am, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:

Is it the case that we have to call them or is OH wrong? I am told by OH
we are likely to have to pay £150 - in which case is three days being cold
and without a door worth it? I could end up paying just as much. He wants
to do it , that is the problem.

But are Wicks doors OK or are they not up to spec? Are they hard to fit (
other than weight)?

At our last house, we got six quotes for windows and patio door, three
from big companies and three from small local outfits. The three big
companies bull****ted, told blatant lies, quoted stupid prices and
were quickly shown the door.

The three local companies quoted prices little more than Wickes for
the windows, which included fitting. Their prices for the patio door
were £200-£300 higher than Wickes. None of the local companies
hassled us and all were happy for us to visit their factories (and we
did visit the factory of the one we chose).

The slightly higher payment for having the windows/patio door fitted
was worth it in my opinion in terms of speed and hassle avoided, and
was a small percentage of the total cost, and we were happy with the
quality of what we got.

I fitted a Wickes 6ft patio door into a new extension on our current
house.

It needed two people to lift the frame into place (because it's big
and flappy and not half as rigid as I would have expected) and two to
lift the doors (because they're heavy).

The opening door is on the outside, not the inside like the door at
the previous house --- which I don't like and consider a security
risk.

The handle is too near the frame making it somewhat inconvenient to
turn the lock.

There was a bolt missing that was necessary to attach the lock, which
only became apparent when the door was installed. I phoned the
supplier helpline and discovered I was a few miles away from their
factory. Could I pick it up? "No, we're not insured for callers."
Well, can I stand on the pavement outside, call you on my mobile and
you can hand me the bolt? "No, we'll have to post it to you." So, we
went three days with an unlocked door.

The opening in the extension had been specced based on the stated
opening of the Wickes door. Unfortunately, what wasn't immediately
obvious was that the Wickes door included an optional header vent that
is apparently necessary in Scotland but not in England. This vent is
essentially a pair of f*cking great holes covered with flip down
plastic covers and, as far as I can see, is just an uninsulated tube
that wastes heat and money. I'm tempted to fill it full of spray
foam.

Wickes may meet the basic standards and be the cheapest but I don't
think it represents the best value. Paying slightly more for a better
product, to me at least, represented the better deal over all.
Generally though, I think Wickes stuff is pretty good.

Regarding Building Regs, how will anyone know you've installed it?
After it's been in x years, it's too late to do anything about it.
And how does this legal requirement stop cowboys like Anglian Windows
doing self-certified **** work?

Thanks. I have given OH this answer and am trying to persuade him to let me
have a firm in .

mike wrote:

At our last house, we got six quotes for windows and patio door, three
from big companies and three from small local outfits. The three big
companies bull****ted, told blatant lies, quoted stupid prices and
were quickly shown the door.

The three local companies quoted prices little more than Wickes for
the windows, which included fitting. Their prices for the patio door
were £200-£300 higher than Wickes. None of the local companies
hassled us and all were happy for us to visit their factories (and we
did visit the factory of the one we chose).

The slightly higher payment for having the windows/patio door fitted
was worth it in my opinion in terms of speed and hassle avoided, and
was a small percentage of the total cost, and we were happy with the
quality of what we got.

I fitted a Wickes 6ft patio door into a new extension on our current
house.

It needed two people to lift the frame into place (because it's big
and flappy and not half as rigid as I would have expected) and two to
lift the doors (because they're heavy).

The opening door is on the outside, not the inside like the door at
the previous house --- which I don't like and consider a security
risk.

The handle is too near the frame making it somewhat inconvenient to
turn the lock.

There was a bolt missing that was necessary to attach the lock, which
only became apparent when the door was installed. I phoned the
supplier helpline and discovered I was a few miles away from their
factory. Could I pick it up? "No, we're not insured for callers."
Well, can I stand on the pavement outside, call you on my mobile and
you can hand me the bolt? "No, we'll have to post it to you." So, we
went three days with an unlocked door.

The opening in the extension had been specced based on the stated
opening of the Wickes door. Unfortunately, what wasn't immediately
obvious was that the Wickes door included an optional header vent that
is apparently necessary in Scotland but not in England. This vent is
essentially a pair of f*cking great holes covered with flip down
plastic covers and, as far as I can see, is just an uninsulated tube
that wastes heat and money. I'm tempted to fill it full of spray
foam.

Wickes may meet the basic standards and be the cheapest but I don't
think it represents the best value. Paying slightly more for a better
product, to me at least, represented the better deal over all.
Generally though, I think Wickes stuff is pretty good.

Regarding Building Regs, how will anyone know you've installed it?
After it's been in x years, it's too late to do anything about it.
And how does this legal requirement stop cowboys like Anglian Windows
doing self-certified **** work?

You said it
--
What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
masterfix{at}btinternet{dot}com

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message
...
OH is just getting round to doing these doors ( despite other things
needing more attention)

Last winter he saw these in Wicks ( after I had Anglian and Everest round
quoting stupid amounts - 10K for two doors, one of which is £300 and the
other just under £700 in Wicks). OH claimed he could do the job. I
suspect he can put in 4ft French windows but I worry about the patio door
which is a 10ft sliding door. Both are desperate for replacing .

OK , its me harping on about these doors again . I have had a local
company ( well quite local as in nearest town) who have quoted me £2000
give or take £100 and a few pence to supply and fit both French Doors and
Patio Windows. It worked out at something just over £1000 for the patio
doors ( which are about 8ft) and £700 for the French Doors ( which are 4ft
except apparently they are 3ft 9 ins currently), thats inclusive of VAT.
He did offer a little more expensive option as well by having French doors
instead of a patio slider with two glass panels either side and a door with
a fixed pane instead of French doors the other side. He also said ( I
didn't ask) that the patio doors were not standard sized ( so a Wicks 8ft
door would be too big - which I had thought anyway)

Now I thought that was reasonable. But am I being ripped off in the
experience of others?

I still have another firm to come. OH still keeps claiming he can do it! I
would rather he didn't ( now he says he can repair the bloody patio windows
instead which is stupid - take the door out and replace the wheels on the
bottom?)

So how reasonable is the price quoted roughly do people think?
Thank you.

On Aug 19, 4:24*pm, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:

OK , its me harping on about these doors *again . * I have had *a local
company ( well quite local as in nearest town) *who *have quoted me £2000
give or take £100 *and a few pence to *supply and fit both French Doors and
Patio Windows. * *It worked out at something just over £1000 for the patio
doors ( which are about 8ft) *and £700 for the French Doors ( which are 4ft
except apparently they are 3ft 9 ins currently), thats inclusive of VAT.
He did offer a little more expensive option as well by having *French doors
instead of a patio slider *with two glass panels either side and a door with
a fixed pane instead of French doors the other side. * He also said ( I
didn't ask) that the patio doors were not standard sized ( so a Wicks 8ft
door would be too big - which I had thought anyway)

Now I thought that was reasonable. But am I being ripped off in the
experience of others?

I still have another firm to come. *OH still keeps claiming he can do it! I
would rather he didn't ( now he says he can repair the bloody patio windows
instead which is *stupid - take the door out and replace the wheels on the
bottom?)

So how reasonable is the price quoted roughly do people think?
Thank you.

£1000 for a decent quality 8ft patio door fitted seems not entirely
unreasonable. When we had ours done, the patio door was
disproportionately expensive compared to the windows and, IIRC, it was
around that price.