VivaFolio Reviews 74

This company is NOT to be trusted, they took my money and lied to me about parts not being in and never delivered my doors - I am a single parent who saved for 2 years for my doors and I have lost the money with NO help - Amanda Etchells who worked for the company led me on telling me lies about why my doors were delayed constantly.

This is an update - broadly happy with the process/structure/installation, but issue with leak around the frame that was passed off as condensation - which it wasnt.
THIS COMPANY IS NOW IN LIQUIDATION AND BEING WOUND UP (Companies House 6/2/24.
Don't think I'm going to be able to claim on the 10 year guarantee.

Not go into creditors voluntary liquidation shortly after installation leaving defective windows

I had a glass structured installed in 2021 in my house by Viva. Personnel (Amanda, Jane, Matt, Michael) were very kind and helpful in the beginning and all the process went well until the moment of installation. The first problem was when one of the glass was delivered already broken, which delayed the installation. They dealt professionally with the problem and solved at the best endeavor. Since then, I have been claiming leaking problems in many parts of the structure and 2 years later, we haven't solved the issue yet. They claim this is a problem of the flashing that the builder installed, which is not true as the water is leaking from the structure itself. In these 2 years, they offered to come to the house in 2 different opportunities that I wasn't in the country. I have my carpet, furniture being damage because of the water and now they dont respond more my emails!

We had a complicated structure designed, built and installed by Viva in 2022. And having only just read the reviews, I’m surprised we received it!! But we had nothing but good service all the way through and the installation team (self employed) were exemplary. But we’re miffed now as our warranty is obsolete - let’s hope nothing goes wrong.

We had a terrible experience with this company.

Avoid at all costs.

We got a quote and then the lies began, very let down.

I have a warranty issue but Viva seem un-contactable > Are they still trading? I only had my bi-folds fitted 6 months ago. Who do I call regards warranty?

I am very sad to see all the comments below. We have tried to warn people in the hope we could avoid them all the heartaches and problems Viva's predecessor company (Apropos) created.
I have posted several times about the malpractice of Viva (the successor company of Apropos Conservatory) on Trustpilot but alas my reviews were always taken down. I am so sorry!

Many of us are truly sorry that you became victims of Michael Damien Barnes and his cohorts.
Sadly Trustpilot deleted our warnings as we were victims of one of his previous companies Apropos and not of Viva Folio. I know it is of no consolation but we did try only to be be prevented by Trustpilot.

They took away all my life saving with a promise to install a glass extension. Two payments were made in Oct 22 and Nov 22. Nothing was ever manufactured. The company was taking innocent peoples money knowing fully well that they would get nothing in return. They have cheated people of their hard earned money.

Viva Doors Ltd - Proposed Liquidation.

According to a letter dated 3rd February 2023 from Revive Business Recovery Ltd (Doncaster), in light of the Company's financial position, on 30 January 2023 the board of directors (Michael Barnes), resolved that the Company should go into creditors' voluntary liquidation.

We had engaged Viva in September 2022 to provide and install doors and windows. We paid a deposit of 30% in good faith in September 2022 and a further 30% once the General Arrangement Drawings had been approved in November 2022. We were informed that the products would go into production and be ready to be supplied and installed during February 2023.

Is there evidence that Viva were trading wrongfully? Wrongful trading occurs when a company's directors have continued to trade when they knew, or should have concluded, that there was no reasonable prospect that the company would avoid insolvent liquidation or insolvent administration. Having paid the second invoice on 11th November 2022 (which should have triggered the start of production), have any of our products been produced - and if not, why not?

And why did the shareholder incorporate a new company Viva Folio (14478764) as recently as November 2022?

Check the companies house register before using Viva or any iteration of their name. They took our £60k, left us with an unfinished structure then folded the company. These guys are crooks.

Gone bust again. The director of this business has 24 businesses listed on companies house, mostly liquidated. Morally corrupt behaviour which will leave me £13,000 out of pocket.

I have a pregnant wife who is distraught about losing this money, it will really leave us in a difficult position this year with everything else going on.

I have looked up his other companies and read the other horror stories, an absolute disgrace.

Having used Vivafolio on 2 occasions I wanted to share my experience. First time we used them I must say they were exceptionally cheap. What we got for our money far outweighed the 1 month delay which meant no kitchen in 2018. The delays were managed and the installers were great. So we used them again. They changed their operation with a sales / design service supported by after sales / finance. The sales guy is great, design experience ok and finally the order was in end of August with a 50% deposit. But they got their calcs wrong so another payment was made to correct it. Then came more delays, cancelled installations lack of communication terrible after sales staff blaming us for our site preparation and ordering a non standard product (who knew!), escalations and final payment demands. The current situation is we are awaiting installation date for our bespoke doors, having made all the payments, and have a huge hole at the back of our house in November with the prospect of another disrupted Christmas as our build is now behind schedule. They sent us a complaint form. Helpful. Hence the 1 star.

Vivafolio installed a glass link for us in June. Installers left site with the structure incomplete. It’s now November and they are yet to return. Be very careful about paying all your money in advance as it seems like once they have it they really don’t worry about completing the job - Still waiting for meetings to take place so they can decide when my job will be completed

Update Jan 23
Still waiting to complete this project. Please do not ever use this company.

Review 24 Oct 2022
Seriously consider an alternate supplier who can offer time/cost guarantees, process without continuing to miss their own deadlines, and reliable communication.

• Several missed deadlines — including last minute delays adding weeks, following an already protracted install date.
• Poor (often non existent) and unreliable communication.

Find another supplier and avoid the pain we have experienced.

15/09/22- UPDATE
Today we had a visit from 2 lovely guys from VivaFolio. They have made some adjustments to the doors and changed the gasket (apparently a new one was designed after ours were installed in 2016) and all is now working perfectly.
So happy with the outcome and the guys they sent are a real credit to the company; friendly, knowledgable clean & tidy and focused on getting the right outcome for us.
Thank you for fixing our doors and I’ve updated my score to reflect this.

9/9/22Installation great but follow up service shocking!
We have been trying to get someone to look at our bifold doors (two sets still in warranty) that we are having problems with but 3 months in and they have not sent anyone around and fob us off at every call (that we make, they rarely return calls when they say they will) no one in your area, we are training more staff but can’t give date when ready, there are no managers that you can talk to or call you back! Don’t use them, there are plenty of other companies that I’m sure would give at least a half decent customer service!
Will update if. We ever get a satisfactory response 😩

Worked with Viva Folio on a glass kitchen extension. Their service has been amazing, nothing runs 100% smoothly and we used our own builders, they do recommend builders who work with them but despite that we are very pleased with the result and would recommend them to friends in-fact already have! They are a Northern, friendly, honest business who treat their clients well throughout the process, from taking the initial call to the fabulous installation team.

Viva is a great company you can trust with confidence.

They were very responsive to all my queries and were just brilliant to work with from start to finish. Viva are very friendly, obliging and professional. We definitely made the right decision to go with them.

Special thanks to Amanda, Richard (sorry for all the queries Richard) and the installation team. We’re so happy with the glazed structure you designed, built and installed for us. It's simply stunning!