Major home improvement brand with iconic telly ads crashes into administration AGAIN affecting thousands of customers

A MAJOR home improvement brand with a 60-year history has crashed into administration again.

Window and door specialist Everest has called in administrators leaving customers in the dark over their orders

The Hertfordshire-based company was founded in 1965 and sells windows, doors and conservatories.

But it has now appointed administrators from professional services firm ReSolve.

It said it was "committed to finding the best possible outcome for the company, its employees, customers, creditors and stakeholders".

The news will come as a blow to customers with existing orders as administrators have confirmed they may not be fulfilled.

Plus, those wanting refunds may find that they are waiting on them a little longer while administrators "assess all available options".

The Sun understands thousands of customers could be affected.

In the 1980s, Everest was famed for its memorable TV commercials, fronted by Derbyshire farmer and former Brain of Britain contestant Ted Moult.

The ads showed Moult dropping a feather from behind Everest's draught-proof double glazing as a helicopter took off outside.

The slogan, which became one of the decade's most memorable, advised Brits to: “Fit the best, fit Everest.”

Everest last collapsed into administration during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

More than 400 jobs were saved after it secured a rescue deal with private equity firm Better Capital.

Everest’s 18 distribution centres and two manufacturing sites in Sittingbourne, Kent, and Treherbert, Wales were also saved.

Better Capital said it invested £3.2 million in the deal.

A statement from the administrators said: "We are aware that this is a stressful time for many and we are working hard to bring clarity to the situation but at this time we cannot share any further information."

It comes after home improvement brand Safestyle ceased trading in October after 31-years.

The company first opened back in 1992 and suspended its shares from trading after it realised that a rescue deal was unlikely to give shareholders any money back.

What does it mean for customers?

Customer orders that have not been delivered may not be fulfilled.

Administrators are still looking at all their options.

If a buyer comes in for all or parts of the business, the work may be completed under new ownership - but there's not guarantee of that happening.

It could mean that even if the company is part-way through an installation it may not complete any orders.

Instead customers might find that they need to find an alternative installer.

Those who haven't put down any cash won't be charged.

Those who have paid a deposit may not get it back from the company and may want to try and claim the cash back from their bank or credit card company.

If you've put down a deposit via a credit card you should contact your provider and make a claim for the deposit under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

To make a valid claim the goods or service you bought must have cost over £100 and not more than £30,000.

For more information on Section 75, see our handy explainer.

There is separate protection for debit and pre-paid cards called Chargeback.

This allows the card provider to reverse a payment you've made, as long as the card provider agrees that your complaint is legitimate.

Chargeback is not a legal requirement like Section 75, so you’re not guaranteed to get your money back.

You can make a claim through your card issuer.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.