Fit the best, fit Everest!

Yes, the marketing slogan of Everest Ltd., a UK double glazing firm that fits replacement windows, doors and conservatories. Our experience is that "We're just another bunch of cowboys" would be a more fitting strap line.

Unfortunately we recently entered into contract with Everest for the simple conversion of a kitchen window into a glazed door with external steps down. But like other Everest customers when the work commenced the trouble started ...

What should have been a straightforward three day job turned into several weeks of inconvenience for us and incompetence by them in which they managed to cut clean through a main structural timber, not lintol it and then try to hide this behind plasterboard, not fit fire stops to the cavity, not fit a damp proof membrane and not provide steps of the required technical standard. The overall finish of the works was also of poor quality.

But what really is of concern is that it was ourselves, their customer, who discovered these deficiencies and then had to get the local council building control officers on the case to get the work re-done. Everest have no quality control and inspection regime. Had we paid for the work as per contract and not taken the trouble to inspect it ourselves, we would have had a completely incompetent and dangerous works which we had paid for! Makes you wonder how many bad jobs they have left for some unsuspecting householders.

The way in which the company operates is interesting: the sales staff are self-employed on a commission only basis, and have to pay for their sample cases. The fitting teams are also self-employed and actually pay Everest for the use of a logo'd van. Our fitting team consisted of a recent school leaver and an accomplice with just two weeks experience. The fitting team receive a "bounty" for collecting full payment form customers on the day they "fit" the goods. Payment by credit card incurs a 2.5% surcharge. All contact with Everest is by premium rate 0844 numbers and they do not reply to letters in a timely manner.

So, if you are in the market for new or replacement windows and/or doors our advice is to do yourself a big favour and avoid Everest at all costs.