I am in talk with County Kitchens (Sigma3) who want their full money after delivery of goods. Then they will send us the fitters and after satisfactory installation we pay them. They say the fitters are on their payroll - employed by them and they make a great issue that only after we are completely happy with the installation we pay the fitters. How good and or serious are these guys ? I have read Peter Parry's good advice but wonder if anyone could tell me of their experience / dealings with County Kitchens.
Their kitchens are fine but the salesman is pushy and the prices seem go up like a yo yo everytime I speak with them. Incidentally their Terms Of Conditions quote in very fine print "Time is not of the essence". Common sense says that time is always of the essence ..... thanks T Lovett
practice?
It isn't common and is a recipe for disaster. If things go wrong the kitchen company blame the fitters, the fitters blame the kitchen company and guess who is in the middle and loses. It means they are not employing their own fitters and have scant control over the quality of workmanship. The fitters on the other hand were the cheapest bidders for the contract and want to get it done as quickly as possible.
Paying the fitters separately is something which should never be done. You must have one contract with one company and they are the only ones you make payment to. This maintains them as the ones responsible for the finished product (supply and installation). Anything else and much of the protection you have against shoddy goods or workmanship is gone (which some might say is exactly why some companies use this technique).