Questions and answers

Yes, for new shutters, grilles and doors: the survey and written quote are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Repair and servicing visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we visit.

Yes. After the survey you get a written price for the agreed specification, confirmed before anything is ordered or any work starts. If you change the specification, or a hidden problem such as a weak lintel is found during fitting, we price it and agree it with you before carrying on.

Guide prices are shown both excluding VAT and including VAT at the standard rate of 20%. For a home, the price including VAT is what you pay.

Work is carried out by experienced shutter engineers working for S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which is the company your contract is with.

Yes. We repair and service most makes of roller shutter, grille and industrial door, whoever fitted them.

The postcode, the approximate width and height of the opening, whether you want manual or electric operation, and a photo of the frontage.

Shutters are made to measure after the survey, so the lead time depends on the product, colour and any security rating. We confirm it in your quote.

Yes, out-of-hours fitting can be arranged for shops and businesses that cannot close during the day.

Products carry the manufacturer's warranty, and the warranty for your shutter is set out in your quote.

Yes. Removal and disposal of an old shutter is included when we quote for a replacement.

Photos and approximate sizes let us give you a guide price quickly. A survey is still needed before a shutter is made, because it is built to exact measurements.

Yes. We quote, fit and service shutters for landlords, managing agents and facilities teams, including multi-site planned maintenance.

In most cases yes. External shutters change the appearance of a shopfront, so councils usually require planning permission, and listed buildings also need listed building consent. Internal shutters often do not need planning permission but may still need consent on a listed building.

Councils commonly prefer internal shutters, perforated or open-grille designs, and boxes hidden behind the fascia. Solid external shutters are often refused in conservation areas and on main shopping streets.

Every electric shutter we supply has a manual override, so it can be wound or released by hand until the power returns.

Usually not. Most shutters run from a fused spur near the shutter box. If there is no supply nearby, a new circuit is quoted separately and done by a qualified electrician.

It depends on the property. Houses in England often have permitted development rights for minor changes, but flats do not, and listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 areas add restrictions. Rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We flag it at survey; your council has the final say.

They must not. Shutters on bedroom or escape windows are fitted with a manual override or battery backup so they can be opened quickly, and we discuss escape routes at survey.

Fire shutters are part of a building's fire precautions, so they must be kept in working order. Manufacturers and industry guidance typically call for a drop test and service at least once a year, and more often where they are used heavily.

The rating must match the fire-resisting wall the shutter is in, which is set by the building's fire strategy or fire risk assessment. We work from that, or from your fire engineer's specification.

Stop using it and do not force it, as a jammed curtain or failing spring can drop suddenly. Keep people clear and book a repair.

Yes. We repair most makes and types of roller shutter, grille and industrial door.

In Issue 8, the letter is the threat level, meaning the tools and number of attackers the product was tested against, and the number is the minimum delay in minutes. B3 means threat level B with at least three minutes' delay.

The two systems are different, but as a rough guide SR1 corresponds to A1, SR2 to B3 and SR3 to C5. Your insurer's wording tells you which version they require.