Your questions answered ?
In this section, we’ve put together lots of examples which are typical of the many questions Fairview get asked every day by our customers. If there’s nothing here that answers your question closely enough or you have a specific question you need to clarify, email it to sales@fairviewwindows.co.uk and we’ll get back to you very quickly.
Ø About the survey
Ø About planning permission
Ø About Financing
Ø About building
Ø About protecting your home and processions
Ø About installation
About the survey
Q: Do I need to be at home during the surveyors visit?
Yes
Q: Why is a survey needed? Shouldn’t the designer have spotted everything?
Our designers do their best to be accurate. But they are not surveyors and have different areas of expertise – hence the need for a proper survey
Q: How long will the survey take?
About an hour and it is best done in daylight
Q: What does the surveyor do afterwards?
The surveyor will write up a report and send it to manufacture. This will be used as the ‘blueprint’ for making your windows, doors or conservatory. If it changes are needed, he’ll agree them with you on the day. In some circumstances the changes will be confirmed in writing as a Variation of contract. If this happens, you’ll need to quickly send back some forms.
Q: What happens after the survey?
Fairview’s installation manager or coordinator will contact you to confirm your reserved installation date.
About planning permission
Q: Is the architect’s fee included?
Yes, if you’ve asked us to arrange planning on your behalf.
Q: How long will planning permission take?
Councils vary and can take up to 12 weeks to decide, but sometimes you’ll know sooner. Most often they take 6-8 weeks to decide.
Q: What happens when planning is granted?
Within a week or so, our surveyor will call you to arrange a survey
Q: What happens if planning is refused?
In this unlikely event, there is an appeals process which you can pursue if appropriate.
About financing
Q: I’ve applied for finance with Fairview. How long will approval take?
Sometimes our finance house will say ‘yes’ almost immediately and on other occasions it may take them a few days. This short delay can be for any number of reasons and you should not be unduly concerned.
Q: What happens if finance is refused?
Finance companies can turn down people for lots of reasons, for example if you’ve moved several times over the past few years. In these circumstances, we always do our best to help and sometimes it’s worth trying another provider, especially if they know you.
Q: What do we need to do when our funds are approved?
If you’re arranging your own finance, you’ll need to call us as soon as you get the go ahead. If you’re taking up one of our offers, the company will tell us both directly, so there’s no need to call.
Q: what does Fairview do when finance comes through?
One of our surveyors will call you to arrange a convenient time to visit.
About Building
Q: Will you move my satellite, alarm & telephone cables?
No, Items like these need to be moved by specialists so you will need to arrange this yourself with the relevant company.
Q: I can’t be there when the builders arrive. What do I need to do and what do you need?
Please call us and we will make all the arrangements before the day – our builders will need power, water and of course access to your garden, plus on some days to your home, if we are creating a new opening.
Q: Why can’t you give a definite time for arrival on the first day?
Unfortunately building work is unpredictable, not least because we’re at the mercy of the British weather. However, our forward planning does mean delays are rare- but should the worst come to the worst, we’ll always keep you fully up to date.
Q: Will your builders be at our house every day?
No. We have planned to build your base over about 10 days. We’ve also included some ‘contingency’ time so if anything unexpected crops up we can deal with it without affecting the installation date.
About protecting your home and possessions
Q: Will you keep plants and paving currently on the area?.
Yes, but please either move them safely out of the way before we arrive or let us know what you want to keep the very first day. Otherwise if you don’t move it yourself, we won’t know what’s for the skip and what’s not. Please bear in mind that we’re builders not gardeners so you might like to move precious plants yourself.
Q: Will the builders make a mess constructing my conservatory base?
We will do our best to keep the area as neat and tidy as possible, but some mess is inevitable. If you have any concerns please talk to your foreman. In particular, it can be hard not to cause short term damage to lawns and flowerbeds, especially if it’s wet.
Q: Will there be a lot of dust?
Compared with most building projects, no. However, if we need to knock through from the outside into your home, some dust and debris will result. Many people like to protect flooring with tough plastic and cover furnishings with dust sheets, as well as take down curtains. We recommend you do the same.
Q: Will the window installers protect my house?
Yes, all working areas will be covered by a dust sheet, all we ask is that you provide adequate access to the necessary window etc….and any valuables that you have in the room are removed whilst the installation takes place.
About installation
Q: It’s impossible for us to meet the installation date. What should we do?
Please call us as soon as you can. We will do our best to find you a new date, but please be aware there may be a delay.
Q: How long will it take to fit my new windows or conservatory?
This will vary dependant upon the work involved and extent of the installation, usually during survey the surveyor will give you a guide as to the expected number of days.
Q; Do we need to take time off work?
It depends, not necessarily during a conservatory installation, but if you are not planning to be at home, you need to make arrangements for power and water to be available. During a window installation obviously we need access to your home, many customers meet the installation crew in the morning and travel to work slightly later than usual.
Q: Afterwards will my conservatory be ready for use?
Probably not, as there may be plastering, tiling and electrics and plumbing work to be completed once the frames and roof are erected.