She thought she was getting premium oak fire doors. What she got was MDF with a sticker on it — and an invoice for £3,000.
Chapter 1: Emma’s Renovation Dream Becomes a Nightmare
Emma had just bought her first home — a modest three-bedroom semi-detached in Kent. It needed work, sure. But Emma had a vision: clean lines, natural oak finishes, modern internal doors, brushed steel handles. It was finally her turn to renovate her space just the way she wanted.
After browsing Pinterest boards and showroom sites, she landed on nine sleek oak fire doors with minimalist handles and magnetic latches. A friend from work said, “Oh, I know a guy who does doors — really cheap, really good.”
What followed was a painful and expensive lesson in who not to trust.
Chapter 2: The Quote That Looked Too Good
Emma’s fitter — let’s call him “John” — quoted £2,400 for:
9x FD30 oak veneer fire doors
Fitting and trimming included
Magnetic latching system
Architraves around every frame
Premium brushed handles
VAT included
“Guaranteed professional installation”
No paperwork. Just a WhatsApp message and a nod.
Emma, trying to stick to her renovation budget, accepted. After all, John seemed confident, friendly, and “did a house just up the road.”
Chapter 3: The Reality That Arrived in a Transit Van
The job was scheduled for Monday. John turned up in a battered van. The doors weren’t boxed. They weren’t labelled. They weren’t even protected in transit.
“He said the doors were so solid, they didn’t need wrapping. That should’ve been the first red flag,” Emma recalls.
As soon as the doors were installed, the problems started to show:
They weighed next to nothing.
They didn’t close properly.
The handles felt hollow and loose.
The latches clacked instead of gliding.
Some architraves had split corners, patched with filler.
And there were visible gaps between the doors and the frames.
Emma asked for documentation proving they were fire-rated.
“He told me not to worry — they were FD30 ‘standard’ and came from a ‘big warehouse up north.’”
Spoiler alert: they weren’t.
Chapter 4: The Final Bill — And the Real Cost
John’s final invoice wasn’t £2,400. It was £3,050.
The hidden extras?
£300 for “additional trimming and fitting”
£250 for “premium architraves”
£100 for “delivery and lifting”
Emma paid it. She felt uneasy but didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to dispute it.
Then a friend visited and said, “Wait… These aren’t real oak doors. These are hollow-core. You’ve been ripped off.”
Let’s Break Down the Scam:
| What Emma Was Promised | What She Got |
|---|---|
| FD30 Oak Fire Doors | Hollow-core MDF, plastic-wrapped |
| Fire-rated hinges + latches | Generic cheap fittings, no certs |
| Magnetic latch system | Standard mechanical latch |
| Premium handles | Lightweight chrome knock-offs |
| Architraves and fitting included | Charged £700 extra |
| Guaranteed professional installation | Misaligned, gappy, sloppily-finished doors |
The Shocking Financial Breakdown:
Quoted Price: £2,400
Add-Ons (not disclosed upfront): +£650
Total Paid: £3,050
Estimated Market Value of Materials: ~£850
Profit Pocketed by Installer: ~£2,200
And that’s not even counting the cost of replacement or fire safety risk.
Chapter 5: The Expert Take — “We See This All the Time”
We spoke with a certified building inspector, who told us:
“The majority of door scams happen because homeowners don’t ask for spec sheets, fire certificates, or installation breakdowns. If it’s not in writing — it doesn’t exist.”
And from our expert team at DoorsDelivered:
“It’s shocking how many installers use hollow-core doors and label them as ‘fire-rated’. Real FD30 doors have certification, are heavier, and have compliant hinges and latches. Anything less is not just a scam — it’s a safety risk.”
Chapter 6: What Emma Should Have Checked 🔍
Before signing off on any job, homeowners should ask:
✅ Is the product FD30 certified with proof (label or document)?
✅ Are the hinges, latches, and closers also fire-rated?
✅ Is installation itemised separately on the quote?
✅ Is the veneer real wood or vinyl-wrapped MDF?
✅ Does the quote include VAT or is that sprung later?
✅ Are the handles and accessories from known brands?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, walk away.
Chapter 7: Protect Yourself — With This Free Checklist PDF
We’ve created a downloadable, printer-friendly Door Scam Protection Kit — perfect for first-time buyers, renovators, and even landlords.
📄 Included in the pack:
“How to Tell if a Door Is Really FD30”
“5 Installation Red Flags Most People Miss”
“Real Quote vs Scammy Quote: Side-by-Side”
“Checklist for Vetting a Door Supplier or Installer”
👉 Request the Free Checklist Here
Chapter 8: Don’t Let This Happen to You
If you’re renovating or replacing doors, the right installer matters just as much as the right product.
At DoorsDelivered, we:
Supply certified FD30 doors with matching ironmongery
Provide transparent pricing (no hidden extras)
Give you a proper quote with all specs detailed
Work with vetted installers, or guide your own team
No surprises. No cowboys. Just fair pricing and quality doors.
Chapter 9: Got Your Own Door Horror Story?
We’re building a growing archive of UK homeowners who’ve been scammed by dodgy door installers. Help us:
Warn others
Shine a light on bad practice
Celebrate the good guys
Share your experience — or nominate a trustworthy installer for our recommended list.
Chapter 10: Join the Fight Against Cowboy Fitters
This story isn’t unique. It’s happening every week across the UK — especially to:
First-time buyers
Elderly homeowners
Busy parents
Landlords outsourcing refurb jobs
These scams thrive in silence.
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