Bifold advice.......please!!!

[Whatsupchuck]

Hi We need to order our bifold doors ASAP but it all seems a bit of a minefield. We have been over to bifold express in Redhill and were really impressed but we have had cheaper quotes. Online they have mixed reviews, does anyone have any direct experience of using them, their after sales services etc?

Another contender is the folding door shop, no showroom for this one so am a little scared at handing over ?1000's for a product we haven't seen. We know we are getting schuco doors but we have heard scare stories that some firms (not directly the folding door shop)may not use all schuco parts so they can get the cost down.

Help!!! any info that might make our choice a bit easier would really help. Companies to avoid as well as recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks xx

[Guest]

I installed these new wave doors. Similar to bi-folds but each panel is independent of one another and therefore it is much more flexible. They were able to price match an equivalent door from bi-fold express

http://www.newwavedoors.co.uk/

[Whatsupchuck]

Shamelessly bumping this for the weekend :0)

Thanks to those who replied but still open for more info

[anassa]

Hi. We went with sunfold - great product.

Our neighbours went with sunflex also looks good.

[davidq100]

We recently got some bifolds installed as part of an on-going whole-house refurb. I'd agree it does seem like a minefield when trying to decide who to choose. We got 4 quotes and ended-up going with with bifoldingdoorfactory.co.uk. I can't rememeber specifically why or where I'd heard of them but they are installers for Shucco doors (a German make) which I'd read somewhere are good quality. They have a little showroom near Croydon where you can see the doors and choose frame colours etc.

They were the cheapest quote of the 4 companies we contacted, although most companies claim to offer price matching. The guy (Ned) at the showroom seemed very knowledgable and was helpful. He explained that we could go from 4 panels to 3 which a) saved almost ?1k and b) means less frame.

Doors are now installed and are fantastic. Our builder was slightly anxious because when the company did their survey they didn't use a laser level, but when it came to installing they did the job well. I have no idea whether they are better or worse than any of the others, but ultimately they were reasonably priced for a good quality product.

They only negative I can think of is that they are not a member of FENSA and were not able to provide a building control certificate. This apparently can be a problem if we decide to sell the house in the future. It's not a problem for us as we'll get that certificate as part of approval for the whole refurb project, but if you are just getting doors installed it might be a show-stopper. I'd suggest insisting on this when making your choice, although maybe it's not that important.

Hope that helps.

[AJ_EDF]

We also used the bi folding door factory. I think we found them via a random google search, after a couple of much more expensive quotes from local installers. Would echo the comments above. Go for Schuco rather than Smarts. I think there's also a Schuco showroom in Islington if more convenient.

[Ean]

Still no windows or doors despite paying them three months ago. Anyone reading this be wary of dealing with them. This company has given my appalling service, still no date for installation 3 months after paying them. Being fobbed off. Happy to talk to anyone about this.

[jasonfrost]

WHAT A NIGHTMARE OF A COMPANY! We had our new wave doors installed after 3 months of delay to only get a faulty product that isn't even suitable for the English weather! The doors fell apart on the day of installation and we had to wait an extra 2 weeks for a replacement part then another frame fell apart and we had to wait an extra 2 weeks for the installation to be complete. When I say complete they didn't even seal the frame to the block work they just squired expanding foam into the sides and there was no trim to finish it off on the sides or the big gap at the top of the frame.

The customer service we received from new wave was appalling and the product is just as bad. They took all the money upfront no questions asked and when I spoke to the director Claire Warren she was not willing to help in the slightest and put the phone down on me on 2 separate occasions! My building inspector said we should have been advised to have trickle vents in the door, which they didn't tell us and that the frame is not thermally broken so it's not weather rated for the English weather. The frame is ice old to the touch on the INSIDE!!! The first cold morning we experienced condensation and we thought it could be damp from the newly laid concrete floor but 6 weeks later using a dehumidifier there is no change!

[JB]

We used NBS windows based in Essex. Nearly all good window/door suppliers seem to be there! We had triple glazed aluminium composite and they are fantastically superb.

Turn around is 6 weeks though.

01376 585533 Lena

[email protected]

[tiddles]

I D Systems

[Gaynor Hill]

My friends have had Everest, I have all Everest

Call or email our local consultant he's a lovely gentleman and will happily just go through it all with you no pressure sales

Tony Yardley

07831470995

[email protected]

[Beaky]

Picking up this thread as just getting quotes together

Any more reviews on Bi Folding Door Company - West Drayton

ID Systems

Kloeber

All similar in price but lead time vary from 7 weeks to 10 weeks after measurement, don't want to go with the quickest if reviews bad

Thanks a lot

[penfold]

we have kloeber doors. delivered on time, went in like a dream and still look amazing and behave prfectly two years after installing.

[JJudith]

Ean - re your message 'Still no windows or doors despite paying them three months ago. Anyone reading this be wary of dealing with them. This company has given my appalling service, still no date for installation 3 months after paying them. Being fobbed off. Happy to talk to anyone about this.'

I'm having the same problem. Please could you let me know how/if this got resolved?

[Beaky]

Hi

Are you using the bi fold door company in Croydon or West Drayton JJudith?

[JJudith]

West Drayton Beaky. Any info you have would be received with thanks.

[JJudith]

Ean - I'd be interested to know if your installation was ever completed. The first date I was given for installation was 15 June. I have now been told that installation will take place this week, after the second delay, but I remain deeply sceptical until my bifolds are in place.

Ean Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Still no windows or doors despite paying them

> three months ago. Anyone reading this be wary of

> dealing with them. This company has given my

> appalling service, still no date for installation

> 3 months after paying them. Being fobbed off.

> Happy to talk to anyone about this.

[Lovecycling]

Looking to install bi fold doors but want to increase the size and understand I need to get plans drawn up and planning permission and that is even before getting the doors chosen and installed! Does anyone have a name of an architect, engineer or draftsman who can drawn up the designs for planning permission? Thanks.

[magicprojects]

hello Judith,

I have read you story about the Bifold Factory in West Dryton and it looks like I am in a similar position. Can you give me a call to have a quick chat please?

Maciek 07590654934

[JJudith]

EAN - I would be so interested to know if this got resolved. My installation is still delayed.

[LCullis]

Judith, Maciek, Ean,

We are suffering the same problem. Have any of you made any progress with having your doors installed?

Or even getting through to your representative?!

Our entire project is now on hold whilst we wait for the door installation - our main contractor has had to leave site as he has run out of things he can do before the building is weather proof. Disaster.

Anything you could tell me would be really helpful! Thanks in advance.

Lucy

[JJudith]

Hi Lucy - Our doors have not yet been installed and our main contractor has left the site too. However, he has boarded out the opening for us. I hope to have the doors installed soon. How long since you confirmed the door sizes?

[LCullis]

Hi,

They took their first measurements back in April, but had to come back twice to get them correct (not a great start!).

We have been given install dates 3 times now and organised for our builder to be on site when they require it and they just haven't shown up.

I have managed to get though to someone this morning so hopefully the doors will be in next week. I'll let you know.

Have they given you a clear date? they keep on telling us 'the end part of next week' irritatingly vague.

[JJudith]

Hi Lucy - things are similar for us except they only took one set of measurements. I'll keep you posted too.

[Beaky]

H Lucy

We are in same situation as you - were promised fit this week just gone but now next Friday apparently

We have 2 mobile phone numbers and are calling them daily to make sure they are on top of things as only way )that's if they are not lying)

Please do PM me if you want numbers. Our builder will finish next week as nothing else he can do - we also have the kitchen coming the week after so if doors not fitted the whole project is in a mess!!