16 replies to this topic

[Graeme Lambert]

Right,
We're in the middle of building a small extension onto the rear of our house.
As part of the extension we'd like some bi-fold doors. The opening is only to be 3000mm (by standard 2100mm height) and we'd like 3 panes/doors to make up the set, each appox 1000mm in width. Already decided that we'd go for aluminium in standard white (boring but in-keeping with the uPVC windows already intalled around the house) and we're doing the whole thing on a budget as the ceiling price of houses in this area will likely be broken if we installed luxury items (this also stands for the kitchen and bathroom we're putting in at the same time).

So I'd originally narrowed it down to a local company (around 5 mins drive away) called sunseeker

http://www.sunseeker...ding-patio.html

Everything looks good on the website (but then anyone can make a glossy, pro looking site these days) and their price was very good - £3240 inc VAT surveyed and installed. Lead time 3-4 weeks.

However, after visiting the factory i'm having second thoughts. None of the set-up felt very professional, the manager was scruffy and not particularly friendly and something just didn't sit right with me. SO i did a bit of digging, looking for reviews and found a couple, but they all seem to say the same thing:

On mumsnet someone called Berno said: " we have had Sunseeker Doors since 2006 and they work smoothly without effort, trouble-free for 6 years so I can highly recommend - we also had integral blinds fitted which also continue to work well are are maintenance-free. I can't imagine not having them and if we move I will be looking at having Sunseeker Ultraslim installed.
I should maybe add (in response to some other comments I've seen) that Sunseeker doors are manufactured in England and installed by their own team, not contractors - website is www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk"

then someone called bp said

"Update on Sunseeker Doors - they manufacture bi folding and frameless double glazed fully retractable doors. Bifolds are available from their trade site if you want to save money and do it yourself. Websites are www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk and www.sunseekertradebifolds.co.uk
Regarding durability, we've had their bifolds for 4 or 5 years now and they are still great. We chose doors with the integral blinds option (expensive but worth it)."

on another forum and I've seen similar posts (like very similar) elsewhere. It's interesting to note that bp only has one post on that forum, and it's that one - listing the websites. Makes me wonder if its a member of staff or something just trawling the internet to post positive reviews. Lets see if they show up here!

They also only seem to guarantee the doors/windows for 2 years and originally expected me to pay the final amount before the doors were installed ( I told them I'd be holing onto minimum 10% until both parties were happy with install etc)

Maybe I'm looking too hard at it, but I'm just not convinced by them. Anyone heard any good or bad things abotu them, or have the expertise to look at the site and tech specs and tell me about them?

And what's really got the mind going is a quote from GRP designs in Northampton. They sell Schueco (or Schuco with the umlaut!) doors, which are German made. Seems to be a much more common brand and although i can't find ANY reviews they also seem to be much more professional. The quote for them is only anlther £250-£300 on top of the sunseeker doors, again surveyed and installed. They're guaranteed for 10 years (install, frames etc) and handles and locks etc for 2 yrs.

http://www.alumen.co...co-ASS70FD.aspx

Maybe it's the German engineering line that's suckering me in... But the websites also say "They have the best WER U value (which measures thermal insulation) in the industry" and the images certainly make them look good quality.

So, after all that rambling - anyone got any advice, experience, expertise they can offer?

Cheers,
G

[ben922]

I’ve just specified Origin Easifold Doors for our extension (http://www.bifoldingdoors.co.uk/)

Our 6m wide x2.15m high bi fold originally came to £5139 for supply only, an extra £700 to fit (all plus VAT)

This will go up slightly with additional trickle vents etc though


Edit for stupid font size

Edited by ben922, 25 September 2012 - 04:04 PM.

[Mangham54]

I am sorry but I would never trust a company that wants anything more than a 25% deposit upfront... unless I knew them personally. They really have no argument for requiring payment up front, yes they are the manufacturers, but they must be able to agree credit for the supply of parts to manufacture the doors. Don't forget that the posts you have seen online have no real traceability to a real customer - as easy as it is to make a website, it's just as easy to fabricate positive feedback on a product.

[Darcini]

Ask them for the contact details of some of their previous customers, if they are kosher they should be happy to do this, and make sure you follow up the leads if they do. If they don't, go with your gut instinct, which I suspect is saying no really, and walk away pronto........

[darronwall]

i supply this type of gear and i would imagine a supply only price of 2k for a quality set of 3m bifolds in white ally they are very easy to fit ya know!!!

[Chris C]

Way out of your area so possibly not practical. But we had a set approx 3m wide, white ally, from these guys http://rickardsfoldingdoors.co.uk/ Must be about 5 years ago and so far so good.

[Graeme Lambert]

I’ve just specified Origin Easifold Doors for our extension (http://www.bifoldingdoors.co.uk/)

Our 6m wide x2.15m high bi fold originally came to £5139 for supply only, an extra £700 to fit (all plus VAT)

This will go up slightly with additional trickle vents etc though


Edit for stupid font size

Thanks for the link. Look pretty reasonable to be honest, and I like the white seals.

I am sorry but I would never trust a company that wants anything more than a 25% deposit upfront... unless I knew them personally.

They really have no argument for requiring payment up front, yes they are the manufacturers, but they must be able to agree credit for the supply of parts to manufacture the doors.

Don't forget that the posts you have seen online have no real traceability to a real customer - as easy as it is to make a website, it's just as easy to fabricate positive feedback on a product.

Indeed, the payment upfront was one of the things that set alarm bells ringing, after all I on't be paying the last (substantial) payment to the builder until after he's done.

And totoally agree about the traceability of the posts. that's kind of what I was getting at, it's almost like a member of staff has been trailing the internet for mention of bifold doors on forums and posting the same thing time and time again.

Way out of your area so possibly not practical. But we had a set approx 3m wide, white ally, from these guys http://rickardsfoldingdoors.co.uk/ Must be about 5 years ago and so far so good.

Thank for the link, looks like some good doors there.

Anyway, took a trip to Northampton this morning to go visit GRP designs and to look at the Schuco doors.

First impressions are all very good. Professional showroom (but not too flashy) with helpful staff. Took me through to where the manufacturing happens and walked me through all the different types of doors, sills etc they do. Security seems pretty good on them (though well aware that anyone could just walk through aided by a brick no matter what doors we go for) and runner action is nice and smooth. Also they feel nice and heavy, which may be a placebo but suggests decent quality. Managed to get them to within £200 of the Sunseeker price as well. 25% deposit up front and.... balance payable ON installation, not before. Guaranteed installation and product for 10yrs, 2yrs for locks and handles. Ultra low sill and only a 120mm sightline.

I think Sunseeker can probably go whistle.

Thanks for all the indo and advice offered though guys.

G

[Mangham54]

Sounds like a much better option... there is a massive amount to be said for gut instinct.

[Graeme Lambert]

Got another £50 of so now £3400 inc VAT and install. And managed to convince Naomi to change from white (which I think makes them look like uPVC) to RAL 9007 - which is basically a light metallic grey. thought we may as well make a feature of them, and it allays to their alu construction that way. G

[darronwall]

white seals will weather badly and a 2 yr guarantee on the hardware is shite,we give 5 and 10 on the dgu's,the cost of a ral colour should not be passed to the customer as its all the same price to make,only the lead times differ,these should cost you about 2k and no more than a 2er to fit

[Graeme Lambert]

white seals will weather badly and a 2 yr guarantee on the hardware is shite,we give 5 and 10 on the dgu's,the cost of a ral colour should not be passed to the customer as its all the same price to make,only the lead times differ,these should cost you about 2k and no more than a 2er to fit

Yup the doors have blac kseals. One of the reasons I'm happier with the grey doors, as it's not quite so obvious.
5 and 10 on the DGU's? Not sure what that means Darron.
You're right no extra cost for the colour we chose. As said, cost inc install etc is £3400. Trust me when I say that between all of the established and/or local companies that's pretyt much the best price I could get. They would have done their Smart brand doors for just under £3k fitted, but I felt having tried them in the showroom the Schuco doors were worth the extra.

G

[darronwall]

5 on hardware 10 on the double glazed units,guarantee that is

[Graeme Lambert]

5 on hardware 10 on the double glazed units,guarantee that is

Ah ok.
Well these seem to be (and it seems to be the norm at this end of the budget scale) 2yrs locks etc but 10yrs on the units so not too dissimilar. Not that it matters now, deposit paid...

G

[Murraysonia]

Hi Graeme, I am looking for bifold doors at the moment and have also dismissed Sunseeker doors for the same reasons as you. GRP designs look very promising though, and I am really keen to know what you thought of them? I would appreciate any info, good or bad! Many thanks, Sonia

[theotherjonnymac]

Pay by credit card and you are risk free. That said, payment up front sounds suspect.

[basa]

my parents had sunseeker doors on their house, doors were great, company seemed ok.

[ianrm]

No experience of the doors but on the info you found? 

 

 How many people post about their experience after so many years?