Custom window treatment not right - what are my rights?

Lisa1958

18 years ago

One year ago we moved into a new home which will most likely be the one we will stay in forever. I wanted to do everything "just right" so instead of my usual do-it-yourself window treatments and coverings I opted to go the professional route. I started with the kitchen since that room was the most hideous and those had to be replaced immediately. I hired a woman whose company deals exclusively in window treatments. She came over to discuss my ideas, measure and make recommendations. I finally decided on fabric and style and placed the order. The treatment was installed this week and I am not happy with it. I have a Vertiglide shade over the sliding door with an inside mount, one stationary panel and a covered cornice to top it all. A photo is below. As can be seen in the picture, the headrail to the Vertiglide is not covered by the cornice and I think that is wrong. When I complained, she admitted that when installing the cornice to the ceiling (standard 8 feet) and using an inside mount the cornice could not cover the headrail. During our planning and discussions, she never told me that the headrail would show and I assumed it would be covered (isn't that part of the reason to install a cornice?) I think she should have known this would happen and advised me of it before we went ahead with the project. At this point, I think she needs to fix it by making a new cornice that will cover the headrail or supplying me with an outside mount Vertiglide that can be installed so that the headrail doesn't show. I don't think she is going to be willing to do that for me. She has pretty much blamed it on me because "you wanted an inside mount". The whole thing cost just over $2000.00. Am I wrong in expecting it to look right? If I was expected to figure all the measurements I could have gone to Lowe's or Home Depot and saved myself a few bucks! Any opinions?

Image link:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

annzgw
18 years ago
I think she made a very bad call in design and should have told you what would be showing. If the cornice is rebuilt, I'd change the design since making it longer (vertically) may make it difficult for a tall person to exit without ducking. An easy, immediate fix is to lower the cornice until it covers the railing, but you'll have a gap between the top of the cornice and the ceiling. I'd do that first to check the final height for head clearance and if it's too low then building a taller cornice isn't going to solve the problem.

If the order was for a cornice to the ceiling then she's at fault in design and owes you . Blaming you is not putting the customer first! IMO, she owes you either a new cornice (if lowering it doesn't work) or vertiglide. Remember that using an outside mount vertiglide is going to require a deeper cornice, so she'd probably end up having to replace both if she goes that route.

"You wanting an inside mount" has NOTHING to do with it. She was in charge of measurements and should have known this would happen. If they mess up on measurements then they're responsible. That's why you let them come in and do all measuring. If you prefer an inside mount, then a cornice can be built to go over it.
BTW, the cornice doesn't have to go all the way to the ceiling. It depends on where the bottom of it needs to start and the overall depth needed to balance the window treatment.

If you want more feedback, post over in the discussions section.....see below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Discussions
User
18 years ago
That would be unacceptable to me. I hope you haven't paid her the full amount. This was her job to make sure the measurements were correct and she messed up--to blame you just adds to her unprofessionalism.

I hope you can get this resolved to your satisfaction.
Related Discussions
Their mistake, right? On builder's dime not mine. Right?
Q
Comments (12)
I was very concerned last night and appreciate all the responses. Hollysprings yours gives me pause. It was an 6ft header instead of what was suppose to be an 8ft header. And what we want to change to a 12 ft header. Who should eat the cost of the redo? What if we decide we don't want the 12 ft. We want what is on the plan. He'd have to redo it and eat the cost. Thankfully, our builder has done the right thing in our opinion. The moment the PM confirmed the framers framed the wrong size door anyway (and without the authority to start in the first place) our builder confirmed that we would NOT be charged for anything besides the vendors cost of the new sidelight. They will be paying for the new header for the larger opening (which was even more than we expected and a little confusing) and the framing company with cover the cost of all lumber and labor to fix their framer's mistake. We did point out the mistake and say "We are reasonable people. What do you think is fair to charge us to fix the mistake and add the new sidelight" because we agree with paytonroad that keeping a healthy working relationship is important. But when others go into great detail to explain why the builder shouldn't have to eat cost for mistakes it makes people like me weary and untrusting. Not to mention means a lot of gals like me are out there climbing over beams to measure window openings like a freak because they can't trust mistakes will be caught paid for by the right party. Anyway, alls well that ends well. Or starts well. Or is fixed after not starting well... adieu Thank goodness my gruff often unfriendly builder sees it that way too.
...See More
Finding the right spray treatment
Q
Comments (39)
1) Maybe, but it depends on the supplier. A well-known, well-rated one with five star reviews is probably going to be just fine. 2) Any butterfly bush on the larger end of the spectrum would be great, and you can choose the flower color you want within the spectrum of hues (reds, pinks, purples, and whites are fairly common). Of them all, the butterfly bushes are the tallest, and the best-blooming. Here's a link to a Black Knight example: http://www.michiganbulb.com/product/Black_Knight_Butterfly_Bush I find their estimate of 6' to 10' to be a gross underestimate. The first or second year, sure. Post that, much taller. Although if winter kills the shrub back to the ground consistently, six feet might be a decent estimate for its sustained height over the years. That doesn't happen here. Lantana are butterfly-friendly flowers that grow beautifully in Zone 5, but they're annuals. Salvia are perennials that vary from 1' to 3', but the blooming season tends to be short (May-June) unless deadheaded. Even then, rebloom is rather weak. Annual Salvia farinacea also attracts butterflies. Black-Eyed Susans bloom in late summer, are perennial, and range from 2' to 6' tall depending on the cultivar. The coreopsis (perennial, 2' for so) mentioned above is a good rebloomer and a modest butterfly draw. Butterfly weed is a freely-reseeding annual about 3' tall that will attract Monarchs like mad. Coneflower are 3' perennials, but the blooming season is a bit short (July-August). 3) Many hosta do very well. The Empress Wu would fit the bill here. Mullein is also in play, but might be a bit marginal in harsher sections of Zone 5. Ligularia would do beautifully, but good luck finding one.
...See More
Right time, right place! What luck!
Q
Comments (16)
Woohoo! Don't see anything about cost. I would guess prev customer gets credit for not using and your account is charged accordingly? But if a 100% freebie, there are not enough ways to celebrate your extraordinarily good fortune. My account gets charged accordingly?! Oh that's not what I was led to believe...my kitchen company did not make the purchase. The GC just said they guy didn't want it and I could "have" it. I assumed free ... I guess I know what can happen when one assumes. Lol
...See More
Right water treatment system for well water?
Q
Comments (5)
Alice, I also have a well. I notice you have been quite gracious with your time and expertise on this site. I have tried to research the best I can, but I am not a handy person. I am considering either a Kinetico or Aqua Ox system. I don't understand all the ins and outs of each just some of the basics. My water has compensated iron of 9 grains - manganese and iron, no bacteria, 7 for PH, and a TDS of 243, no nitrates, no tannins. We use three bathrooms, 5 people. I know this is far from a complete picture, but would you favor one of these systems over the other and why? I have come to the end of my understanding and would so appreciate your insight. Thank you so very much. Desiree
...See More
kathypass
18 years ago
She should take care of this for you, if even just for the reason of satisfying her client. However, if it becomes more trouble than you want to deal with, what about adding a trim to the cornice that will cover the piece that is showing?
kathypass
18 years ago
Lisa - What did you wind up doing? I looked at the picture again and am wondering, could you move the cornice down just that little bit to cover the headrail?
LisaNM
18 years ago
She finally came out to look at it. She suggested covering the headrail of the Vertiglide with a Dauphine (sp?) rod covered with the same fabric as the cornice which she will do at no charge. Alternatively, she will make another panel for that side of the window for an additional cost - not discounted, the same as the cost of the other side. I am trying to decide what to do. I really think another panel would look best but kind of think she should discount it some since I am having to put it up to hide her mistake.
amy_z6_swpa
17 years ago
I agree with kathypass--can't you just move the cornice down a little?

Custom window treatment not right - what are my rights?

Comments (6)

annzgw

User

Related Discussions

kathypass

kathypass

LisaNM

amy_z6_swpa

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US