PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Last year we had new fascia boards fitted to the gable end and front of our house, along with one down pipe and guttering to the front. During the gale the fascia at the gable end got blown off and was in pieces in our neighbours gardens. I contacted the builder and he came round to see the damage, but said it would cost a further £176 to replace the broken parts, as it was down to the gale, he insisted I pay in advance by bank transfer, so I did.
However I had a different builder have a look at the damage and he says that first of all the fascia was the wrong size, the pins were too short, and the fascia should have been double pinned. There were only 4 pins holding up the full length to the roof. There are no joiners in the guttering and daylight can be seen by the bracket, the down pipe is also loose, the nails having fallen out. He is only refunding the £176 extra I paid, and requests I get his materials removed without damage for his collection, any damage will be billed to me. I would like to know what the fitting regs are and if anyone can advise me how I stand legally.
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Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

I'm not sure if there will be any regulations regarding the fitting, but I'm sure the manufacturer will have a recommended fitting guide which they will require the installer to follow to ensure the validity of the warranty coving manufacturing defects.

I'd be tempted to have a chat with your local trading standards and would tell the builder if he wants to collect the stuff he's welcome to come and remove it at his own expense and that you'll hold him liable for any damage he causes to your property while he's doing so. Oh, and don't forget to name and shame the builder to all your friends, family and neighbours.

I really do feel for you and hope you get things sorted as I know from my own experience how stressful issues with your house can be.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

2 homes here fell foul of a cowboy who "ceased trading" shortly afterwards. He had a string of complaints against him, and Trading Standards stepped-in and demanded full refunds for all the home-owners. But it took a "court claim" to get the actual money.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Grimupnorth and Taf thank you for your replies, as expected I did not get any refund today. I have told him I will settle for £200 and call it a day, or next step of many, Trading standards, I won't hold my breath. He is now uncontactable on messenger. Doesn't surprise me, coward can't face me, bring it on! Watch this space.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Then name and shame him to all your neighbours and acquaintances.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

If you have a local forum group it may be interesting to see if any others have have had dealings with this man. If they have they may even have started taking action.

Definitely agree about going to trading standards, they may already be looking into his shoddy workmanship.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Well as you may have guessed I have not received a penny refund. Also Trading standards apparently doesn't deal direct with people, I have to go through Citizens Advice Bureau. I don't know his address only the district he lives in, so what is the chances of getting anything back, I only have his mobile number. He has stopped conversing with me on Facebook. Total out of pocket £516 and I still have to pay someone to put it all right.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

If he/they are a registered company, there should be a contact address at Companies House.

https://find-and-update.company-info...ervice.gov.uk/

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Thanks for that Hugh, I've recalled his trading name, but suspiciously there is not an address on his Website, and I can't see the firm listed on the site you gave. That's weird.:confused:

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

I doubt if he is listed at Companies House as he would have to provide too much information proving who he is. I'm sure he would never wish to appear anywhere that would attract the attention of the tax inspectors who could track him down whether he had bothered to register a Limited Company or as a small Company.

Just being nosey ...how did you find him in the first place?

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

If he’s a self employed sole trader he won’t have an entry at companies house. That in itself isn’t dodgy - lots of very small businesses are actually not formally incorporated. Our B&B never was. Actually that means if you are pursuing him for financial redress he can’t close the business and leave you with nothing to claim against. If he’s a sole trader then the liability is his personally.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

I found him on Facebook, I know what you are thinking, but he had a trading name and a van with the company name on it. Because of that I felt confident he would be reliable and trustworthy.


And Chris he is trading as a firm it's not a limited company. If I got judgment for my claim in the County Court, and he didn't pay and I had to send in the Bailiffs to his home, he could claim all the removable good in the house belong to his wife. There is no guarantee you get you money back even if you get judgment, having worked in the County Court for 12 years, I know from experience. My only hope is if Trading Standards gets involved, today I found this site and posted my complaint, https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/the-coun...ing-standards/ I will just have to keep fingers cross.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

He could try, but bailiffs are not stupid, he would need to prove they all belong to his wife, which is unlikely in a shared house.

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

Our Bailiffs apparently took their word for it, and the return was 'no goods'. Difficult to prove, how many people have receipts for all their property? But I am jumping the gun, why do I get the feeling I am just going to have to put it down to experience?

Re: PVC Fascia and gutter fitting regulations?
 

To my surprise and annoyance, traced back and the work was only carried out on 18th October last year
, so 4 months later it blows off. :mad: