A J H BUILDING CONTRACTORS LIMITED

AJH Building Contractors Ltd have failed to perform services to a reasonable standard in relation to the installation of UPVC patio doors. The doors have not been glazed correctly leading to serious distortion and misalignment of the frames. The company has not attempted to honor any guarantees they gave on payment.
A UPVC French door set was installed on 16 February 2022. A gap developed at the top of the doors and the company adjusted the hinges on 14 April 2022 and one other occasion prior to payment
Post payment on 9 June 2022 a further gap appeared. The manufacturer was contacted for assistance and instructions on what was needed to be done confirmed. On or before 17 June 2022 the manufacturer forwarded an email to AJH Building Contractors Ltd which included the fact that the doors needed adjustment. No response or assistance was given
The doors required further adjustment over time until a full adjustment of the hinges had been reached. On 14 January 2023, it was noticed that both doors had dropped to form a significant air gap at the top and the doors had effectively become unusable.
Since initial payment was made, AJH Building Contractors Ltd have not once attended the property to inspect the doors and have failed to take any responsibility under the guarantee they promised and deflected the responsibility to others.

1. AJH Building Contractors Ltd were informed on 16 and 18 January 2023 and a further email on 23 January 2023.
2. AJH Building Contractors Ltd explained the delay in responding was due to family illness, and noted that UPVC does expand and contract in the sun, however, regular adjustments were abnormal and they would adjust the doors.
3. On 27 February 2023, were again requested to inspected the doors but responded that if adjustments had been made, then they were not responsible for the issues.
4. On 13 April 2023, AJH Building Contractors Ltd were contacted again, explaining that, as they had not been able to inspect the doors the Manufacturer had been contacted.
5. The Manufacturer’s findings were:
a. There were no issues with hinge adjustment and the problems had been caused by incorrect packing of the glazing within the frame on installation.
b. After correctly packing the “Master” door the “Slave” door was found to have a cracked weld preventing re packing
c. This was not a manufacturing fault.
6. On 13 April 2023, AJH Building Contractors Ltd were asked that a plan for remedial work be put in place within 14 days (27 April 2023), otherwise actions to recover the cost of fixing the doors would be taken.
7. On 18 April 2023, AJH Building Contractors Ltd responded to claim that the doors were correctly installed upon completion, and questioned why payment was made if there was an issue, and why the issue was only brought to their attention after 7-8 months. AJH Building Contractors Ltd claimed that damage was caused by the adjustments made to the doors.
8. On 18 May 2023, AJH Building Contractors Ltd were provided with quotations for the remedial work. However, in a response, AJH Building Contractors Ltd continued to deny the claim and further added that they had referred all emails and communications a legal team and that the correspondence is “threatening” and as such taken as “harassment”.
9. A third-party and independent glazing company was instructed and on 1 June 2022 they confirmed that the issues were due to the initial installation, rather than the manufacturing of the product or any work to adjust the hinges. Specifically
a. The slave door had not been fitted / glazed correctly (toe and heel) causing it to become out of square.
b. The slave door has a crack in the bottom corner and this will likely get worse, should the glass be removed to attempt adjustment.
c. The master door had the same issue before it was recently adjusted by the manufacturer and, although it is operational, the hinges have been fully adjusted and this is still not rectifying the problem.
10. As such the glazing company advised that the following remedial work is required:
a. A replacement set of UPVC French door is likely required,
b. Additional remedial work may be required as the doors appear to be fitted on cleats / straps, direct to blockwork and plastered over. When doors are removed, this will likely cause the plaster to crack, which means the reveals will need redecorating.
11. On 22 June 2023 a solicitor’s letter was sent to AJH Building Contractors Ltd setting out a claim based on the above. AJH Building Contractors Ltd continue to deny any responsibility. Confirmation from AJH Building Contractors Ltd re Trade Organization membership for ADR to take place remains outstanding.

Nothing Filed yet