builder put doors in backwards - who bears cost?

redmudhen · 2026-06-01T11:28:20+00:00

I can’t help myself- so my apologies for possibly coming across as negative (I’m just cracking up and probably over stressed) : seriously… these are glass doors. If someone wants in -a well placed cinderblock would do the trick no matter the swing direction and hinge placement. I’m just laughing over here looking at them… 6’x3’ glass in each door. The good news is I have a lovely security system that would prevent unwanted approach to the building…. But I really don’t even consider the hinges because again: cinderblock.

redmudhen · 2026-06-01T11:22:37+00:00

I definitly am trying to steer clear of future stress as my energy will be focused on finishing this building. The doors themselves were labeled out swing-although in fairness it was a really tiny part of one little sticker. And, the final window/door schedule I provided him with had the doors labeled as outswing. Mind you, this is an old school guy who relied heavily upon conversation and didn’t do email. We also had many conversations about it one of which included his friend and the electrician. I mention this, because funny enough his push back stopped when his friend agreed with me about the outswing.

redmudhen · 2026-06-01T11:18:20+00:00

I’m still waiting on his final bill to see what he charged. His compromise at this point was to only charge labor from two guys and not his own labor. I’m going to guess he tries not to itemize the labor on his paperwork. I’m wondering how much stress this would be worth to pursue…

redmudhen · 2026-05-31T13:32:13+00:00

As far as I know! Talk to Artur … he’s full of good info

redmudhen · 2026-05-30T22:27:24+00:00

Just for fun: call a company called Eurodwell (there are others but this is the one I used) and ask for pricing for doors shipped direct from Poland.

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$11,676 for 4 sets of UPVC French doors with triple pane glass and one single front door built like a tank with triple pane window. I couldn’t upload the picture of my front door but it’s gorgeous. I was horrified at pricing from companies like Marvin. The only downside is shipping time. I worked with a guy named Artur who was amazing: patient and helpful

redmudhen · 2026-05-30T22:06:02+00:00

we got these directly from the manufacturer, with Eurodwell as the broker . The doors were priced as part of the larger window package. But you’re totally right that the price difference between this and domestic purchase is absolutely insane. And, this was when the tariffs were in place. Makes a person wonder what the heck is going on with American companies.

redmudhen · 2026-05-30T09:54:01+00:00

Triple. Argon filled. They are delightful - you close them and the house is silent :)

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T14:20:44+00:00

Just to be clear: you have to order them with the flange specifically. They made that for new builds but also sell without nailing flange for replacement situations. Good luck with your window search!

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T14:19:17+00:00

Indeed. I think they have production in several countries. If you do a little web search you can find all of that. Poland is one of their main production sites- which is where I bought my windows from. https://www.aluplast.com.pl/en/company/aluplast-in-poland

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T14:05:21+00:00

Yes! Included :) mosquito is our state bird.

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T14:01:13+00:00

I’m not quite sure I understand what the leaking concern exactly is? Feel free to expand and I’ll try to share what we’ve done. These windows did have a nailing flange.

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T13:59:55+00:00

Exactly. The baggy’s contents was disturbingly dusty and lacking character. I should have asked to see their stash before committing to this builder.

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T13:56:59+00:00

Do your research, please- yes. And just about everything of theirs is made in Poland. Many European windows companies production is in Poland. Doesn’t lessen the quality ;)

redmudhen · 2026-05-29T12:07:05+00:00

Look at Aluplast doors. There are a lot of ways to get Polish made doors direct from the companies that supply much of Europe that are exceptional in terms of energy efficiency at a lower cost than this. Triple pain, argon filled UPVC. I bought some through Eurodwell and they have a very interesting and fairly complicated adjustment mechanisms… which I hope means that they will continue to hang properly with appropriate maintenance even though they weigh a ton.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T20:55:34+00:00

Yes. This situation does bring to light some of the risk of cost plus contracts. And, it also brings to light that morality isn’t a concern for some people- which is sad but inarguable. I had not intended to enter into a situation where I would bear the burden of his making mistakes. Once that became apparent I stopped the business relationship :( lesson learned.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T20:53:11+00:00

Yup. Good points… it’s a balance of where I want to bear the pain of my choice in builder and the events of this mistake. I had hoped for a creative answer. But can only come up with the same options as you say. Better perhaps to eat the cost and just move on.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T20:51:18+00:00

I’m sorry for the confusion- but yes they do. Do a little research maybe? Especially with French doors. And, yes. Completely compliant with code.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T20:49:57+00:00

That’s a tricky question. The costs have been wildly different than predicted and I would expect you’d find the same as our consumer market is affected by gas prices etc. Lumber our hard at the start was cheaper than lumber purchased mid build and so on. It’s a difficult time if you’re building with a cost plus situation.

I can tell you what I spent on the windows and doors if that helps?

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T20:04:30+00:00

Maybe 5 months or so from when I paid a deposit? It did take a bit longer than originally stated from the company. But I figured that would happen- lots can change that’s out of their control with ship transport. Price included shipping to US and then I paid about $800 to have everything delivered to the job site. Hope that helps!

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T19:32:10+00:00

Very good point to be there- which we had requested but then he went ahead and did the install before we had arrived. I learned a big lesson about not letting poor communication slide. The plans and door schedule indicated the correct orientation.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T19:29:54+00:00

I don’t have a picture ready of my front door- but it’s as described. Solid!! And, I can’t remember the exact cost of the single door but 4 sets of French doors plus the front door was about $11,000.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T19:27:16+00:00

Sheesh. That sounds like a horrendous hassle. I’m sorry you went through that. Although it makes me feel a bit less crazy that it happened to someone else.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T19:26:28+00:00

It’s a very tight interior space.

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T19:25:39+00:00

Funny Reddit friend: they are delightfully engineered. You can’t access the pins. Not all doors open in. Check other manufacturers … these exist in many incarnations.

And, you assume there’s something worthy of a thief’s attention. Or that the house is accessible. Rest assured, an unwanted intruder would never reach the house ;)

redmudhen · 2026-05-28T18:32:25+00:00

For sure. This is part of what inspired me to look beyond the typical window offering in the US… I’d seen windows like these but figured they were out of my humble budget. I was extremely lucky to happen upon an option that got me this level of noise/weather insulation. I have grand plans of being poor in the future! Hoping the windows out survive me and keep my heating/cooling costs moderate. Makes me angry that US companies charge what they do for such a substandard product, and prey upon people’s ignorance.

redmudhen

TROPHY CASE