6m x 4m SupaLite replacement conservatory roof
After initially approaching a local 'approved installer' of a replacement Supalite conservatory roof and being far more than underwhelmed with both their attitude and lack of replies to our questions regarding guarantees and certification etc, we contacted SupaLite direct and asked them if they could provide us with the name of another installer of their product (which we were very keen on) in our West Yorkshire area.
SupaLite gave us the name of Envy Windows Ltd as being on their Premium Installers list, so we contacted Envy, and their sales manager, Colin Payne called round shortly after, and what a smashing bloke he was. Answered all of our questions directly, and just to double check a couple of items to make sure what he was saying was correct, he rang the office while here to double check. The price he gave was very good, far better than we'd had for a SupaLite roof before, and there was none of this messing us about by someone telling us their prices are so 'keen', they're quoting down to the last 40p (which they did), yet they were still £3500 dearer than Envy??
Anyhow, we placed the order with Colin/Envy and added in the replacement of half a dozen double glazed units plus a full sized double glazed door glass. We were then given an installation date by Colin.
Mick, the surveyor came a couple of days later and checked out our existing conservatory structure and then provided yet more positive insight into them being able to fine tune the installation for us to retain our existing window blinds, which would save us even more money than the information (or lack of) that we'd been told before that they would need to be binned and new ones purchased.
The two installation guys, Pete Townsend and Pip, arrived at 7.45am on the given date, and removed the existing polycarb roof and structure. The lorry containing the SupaLite roof components turned up about 8.30am and unloaded, and then the guys were in full installation mode. It must have been 30C - 35C that day (and for several days after), yet they had set themselves a target of what they wanted to achieve on day 1 and they went for it non stop, working right through till 8.00pm. We kept them well hydrated all day and my wife made some sarnies for them, but they were brilliant. None of this sloping off to the local cafe for lunch from 12.00 till 1,00pm etc.
Similarly with the next couple of days, although with earlier finishing times, yet it was a job done brilliantly. Roof and double glazed units installed perfectly and it all looks terrific. This wasn't a small job either at roughly 6m x 4m and built onto the irregular stone wall of the house.
The electrician Gavin and his son had come in the meantime and sorted out our electrical requirements and the following day after Pete and Pip had finished their part, Dean and Sam called to put up the insulated plasterboard and plaster the roof, again another excellent job.
What pleased us over the whole project was that the whole time, every one of the trades people involved were very respectful of our property, protecting the flooring and stone wall of the house, plus the remaining conservatory structure. There was no hanging around for the plasterers to turn up a week or so after the structure and roofing was up, bang, next day (a Saturday) they were there all day and finished the job that same day.
As well as the people I've already mentioned, everyone we had dealings with at Envy, from the ladies on the switchboard to Andrew in sales and Mark Bentley, the office manager who was the liason in obtaining the Building Control certification, were all very pleasant people and they got the job done quickly. So we now have a superb job with Building Control certification already in place plus a 15 year guarantee on the roof and installation (against 10 years for most other suppliers). We're actually looking forward to winter now.
My apologies for this lengthy review, but in all honesty, if you want a job done, this is how it should be done and Envy deserve every credit. They'll get any work I need done in the future, I won't even bother looking elsewhere, and they'll be top of my list when giving out a recommendation.