"Avoid at all costs"

Avoid at all costs. Endless problems with our conservatory and service dept is abysmal. 8 years on and no where near fixed. Been waiting over 6 months for the latest problem to be sorted.

"FINALLY COMPLETED - 11 MONTHS AND 3 WEEKS!"

UPDATED- PLEASE READ TO BOTTOM

I was sold a new conservatory in November 2017 and in May 2018 they started the ground work a month after the date their sales man promised it would be finished. I am still waiting for them to make my Conservatory secure from intruders as it is still missing gable windows, and i have a leaking roof in 4 places, bi fold doors not operational, temporary door panels and a long list of other problems.

When I call their office I am met with abuse and lack of interest. Especially by The operations manager (formally the operations director, check out companies house for his name.) This individual has now promised after reading my initial review to give me a completion date in writing that was now 7 days ago, that is why i have updated this review again and shall continue to keep reviewing until i get the conservatory i was promised.

They consistently fail to inform me when they will be back to finish the work. Their promises when i get though are worthless. I get no response from emails, txt and they never return calls. I have now had to seek legal advice and reported them to Citizen Advice who will hopefully inform Trading standards.

As a result of the lack of response from Smiths i contacted GGF who in turn wrote to Smiths. Long story short, Smith appointed an independent surveyor to assess the incomplete and poorly constructed conservatory. He agreed that the main ring beam that supported the glass roof was incorrectly installed as too short and would need to be replaced and that the pitch of the roof was inefficient for the self clean feature to work not to mention too short to reach the gutter, all issues i had repeatedly raised with Smiths.

It was agreed that a new design roof be fitted as a good will gesture and that the ring beam be refitted and painted to prevent further rust marks.

I can now say that i have beautiful conservatory completed to a lovely standard.

My advice to anyone thinking of using this company is to make sure that everything the sales man promises you is in writing on the contract that you sign down to the smallest detail. Check pitch of roof is correct ( if self clean feature this need to be a minimum of 10 degrees as per Pilkinton glass website) Take out Smiths finance option even if you dont need it so that no payments are made till you get what was promised. Put everything in writing and if you are a women on your own be sure to have a male witness present when dealing with senior managers or operational managers as my experience of dealing with them has been appalling and the reason given was cos i was a women on my own.

"The windows have been great, but..."

The windows have been great. The service has been abysmal.

We have had our windows four years, and a trim blew off in the wind. Smiths told us that it was either "accidental" and therefore not covered under the guarantee, or alternatively that it was "fair wear and tear" and therefore not covered under the guarantee.

I am still trying to understand from them what the guarantee actually *does* cover. It appears to me it covers only the grossest of failures. Everything else they will walk away from. Understand this before you spend any money with them.

I put it to you that this is actually the policy of idiots, because we were about to buy some more windows from them... Not now...not ever...

"Amended review after two service visits - well done Smiths!"

Amended review after two service visits
New review: Since writing my first review, I have had two service visits from Smiths who have replaced the damaged bathroom window frame and adjusted the patio door to our satisfaction. The engineers in both cases were professional and courteous. I have also noticed an improvement in communications with the office. Well done Smiths!!

My original review was as follows: Having had my windows and patio door installed on 17/18th July, I completely agree with Chris (review on 28th August) regarding Smiths. I am generally pleased with the quality of the windows but one window frame was damaged and I was promised it would be ordered the same day and take 4-5 weeks to be replaced. No-one has contacted me since then and when I've phoned the company and spoken to various people, I've been told that they will check with the factory and call me back but not a single person has called me.

"Smith’s are true to their word"

Smith’s are true to their word, excellent products, and great installation team. I could not find fault with them at any stage from design through to installation. I would recommend Smith’s to anyone Andy

"Will use again for any future work."

Great company to deal with, built our conservatory very quickly and professionally. Would recommend and would use them again.

"Great service from smiths"

Great service from smiths, I will not hesitate to call for future work. The workman are a real credit to the company on time and kept my house clean when fitting my windows.

"AVOID AT ALL COSTS Less than one star but there is not an…"

Less than one star but there is not an option of zero stars as a rating

We contracted smiths for bricking up a door, replacing kitchen window and a new roof on our lean to conservatory.

I am concerned about the safety of the construction and longevity. The finishing is poor and the aesthetics not what was agreed.

The main job was a simple roof replacement on existing structure. I had been advised the full job would take 1.5-2 days to complete they started the works on 26/7/18 and they are still unfinished

Smith's were due to commence fitting the roof on Saturday 21st July, the fitter attended and advised he was here to brick up the door, he did not have the right materials so left. He advised he would return on Monday to start the roof and advised the roof was made and in the yard ready to be installed. On the Monday no fitters arrived, an electrician came and isolated the power. I spoke with the contracts manager Mr M* on the Monday and he advise he did not know why the job had been booked in as the roof and window were not ready. I had difficulty getting through to M* on my own mobile phone- it appeared he was not answering my calls as when I phoned him from a different phone number he answered straight away.

No-one turned up on Tuesday. After numerous calls trying to talk to M*, M* called back and advised they had a cancellation and someone would be in attendance on Wednesday to do the door and window.

On the Wednesday the door and window were started. The fitter had no drawings to work from and initially installed the window the wrong way round, however a relative who was on site to allow access for the fitters provided him with a copy of the drawings and he turned the window. The door was bricked in.

On Thursday my existing roof was removed. It was identified the aluminum frame provided was the wrong size for the building. The building was left uncovered and open to the elements. Spoke with M* again and after heated discussion he advised the roof frame gets built inside the building. He advised the surveyor had years of experience and it was all done on computer software. I requested a site visit. M* came to the address and discussed how they may be able to come up with a solution as the frame did not fit inside the building and was too small to fit in the standard way.

The fitter returned the following day, Thursday, and continued working in trying to make the frame suitable despite it being the wrong size.

On Friday the three center panels of glass were fitted, polycarbonate was fitted in 2 panels as a temporary seal for the roof as the glass for the roof needed to be altered. There was heavy rain and some water did come in the building.

On Monday there were no fitters, 2 people arrived to plaster the door that had been bricked up, harl the outside and finish the window. The plaster has blown and cracked.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the fitters installed lead flashings and some white trims over the woodwork.

On Thursday 2nd August M* text to advise the fitter would be on site on Friday 3rd between 1-2 with the remaining glass panels. We were concerned about the safety of the work that had been undertaken so we arranged for a surveyor to come and look at the work. The surveyor advised we should document our concerns in writing and not pay for the work until it is completed to a safe agreed standard. On Friday afternoon new fitters and glass panels arrived and we advised them we were not happy with the work that had been done. The fitter contacted M* by phone and M* advised the fitters he would arrange for the previous fitter to come and complete the job. We contacted M* directly and confirmed we did not want the previous fitter back and asked for him to come and look at the work.

M* came and inspected the work and agreed it was not an acceptable standard. M* was shocked at the way the work had been finished. We highlighted all the issues with the work that we were aware of directly to M*. M* advised it was not necessary for us to do a snagging list because of all of the issues the matter is beyond snagging.

It was mutually agreed for M* to have some time to reflect on how to remedy the matter and M* would confirm in writing by 5pm on Monday 6th August.

It is now the 4 September, we have sent emails and 3 formal letters to the company asking for a refund of our deposit/payment of costs and have had no response- not even a phone call or an acknowledgement.

I am posting this review to warn others who may be considering using them- please don't.We trusted them as they have been running for some time and we always see their advertisements. If you do your research they have very mixed reviews.

Hopefully this will help someone else to avoid going through the same trouble that we are

Thanks

"Great work by smiths"

Great work by smiths, we are very happy with our conservatory. On time & on budget

Thank you

"Good quality service"

Good quality service