Loft conversion nightmare - advice please!

Windsorcastle

We had a loft conversion about 2.5 years ago, having extended mortgage to tune of 60k. It looked gorgeous at first but gradual problems have emerged ever since. Serious roof leaks, shower installation botched so shower leaks into bedroom below, and loads more. Leaks have caused large patches of water damage to ceiling, affecting electrics too.

Long story short - the company originally admitted it was all their fault and agreed to put it right. We started chasing them about this a year ago. After MUCH chasing, they finally sent guys to completely reroof 2 months ago. However, they still need to do all the internal work. We haven't been able to use the shower for over 6 months.

We have been so patient with them, and have been very polite and reasonable. We are CONSTANTLY fobbed off, calls not returned, emails ignored. We are at a loss now as to what to do.

This is a supposedly reputable company, who do loads of conversions locally.

We have wanted to put the house on the market for a year, but simply can't with all these unresolved issues.

Who can help with this? Do Trading Standards get involved in builder disputes? Or the Council's building services?

Any advice gratefully received. We are now feeling very stressed and sad that we are still repaying a lot of money on a rubbish job that we can't even enjoy. And we are stuck here unable to sell

DaftyDuck

Repaying a lot of money.....

So finance? Section 75 possibilities?

However, main thing is, you say "emails... calls" are ignored. Try writing a formal letter. Request the work is completed in a timely fashion, list it, and suggest a completion date.

See if a local solicitor offers free initial consults.

stator

Contact the local paper, if it's anything like mine they like stories about "nightmare builds"

Windsorcastle

Thanks for these responses. It's tricky because we don't want to antagonise them but being nice and patient just seems to make them take the p***.

The company's registered office is a call centre of some sort so I don't think sending a letter will get any response. If I could get the name of the managing director I would hunt him down, but their contact details are very elusive. But as I say, they are a well known company.

Does anyone know if the Council or Trading Standards can intervene?

DaftyDuck

What's the registered address at Companies House?

Windsorcastle

Well, that's where it all gets very tricky. The company seems to go by 2 names, and with 2 different registered offices. I can find names of company directors but cannot track down any contact details.

It looks like some of these directors have been involved in several dissolved companies before, which is worrying.

I'm sorely tempted to head to their office address and refuse to budge until I see a Director, but don't want to look ridiculous.

It makes my blood boil every time I see one of their vans tootling around to some other unsuspecting house in the area!! They seem to get a lot of work (although I have now uncovered similar experiences from other customers on the internet)

Hoploz

Have you got any invoices or receipts with contact details on?

Windsorcastle

So I ordered various company docs from Companies House earlier and have now established that the only main director left is actually the one who came round to do the big sales spiel in the first place. He goes by an English version of his real name which is why it's been so tricky to track him down.

So now I have his home address - would it be out of order to write to him there?

Windsorcastle

I've now worked out that they've done a few name changes over the past few years, so am confident I now have the current trading name, office address and MD's home address. What next?

Hoploz

Oh well done!
I don't see why not

I think the local paper is a good bet as well though, if they are doing a lot of other work which may also be sub standard.

Windsorcastle

Thanks all for helpful replies - it always helps to get other MSE forumers (I know it's not a word) to give sensible and rational advice, much appreciated.

Ok I think I'm going to head to their office and try to take him by surprise, failing that a registered letter to his home address, and failing that, contact the local paper (although the company advertises with them, so they may not want to lose revenue!)