Loft conversion nightmare - advice please!

King_Slayer

Get in touch with the local newspaper, you may be surprised that others have experienced the same as you.

ruggedtoast

Windsorcastle wrote: »

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

Why are you being polite and patient with them?

Doozergirl

Letter before action?

I'm not very au fait with this but the FMB contract gives terms under which the consumer can cancel their contract. It mentions something along the lines of giving them 14 days notice to carry out the required work, or you will employ another contractor and sue them for the cost. You may not be using an FMB contract, but I would think that the steps would be acceptable to a judge. Hopefully it would come under the threshold for small claims.

I think trading standards would be most helpful for you to get some more formal guidance, but I think that is your basis.

SplanK

Hang fire a second...


So a company has come out and converted your loft.... loft then has a lot of issues, and then issues getting hold of them.


Personally, I would get quotes from others to see how much any repair work would cost by another firm. Reason for this is they have already cocked up once, and there is nothing to say that they wont bodge it up again. Given that they have changed names many times suggests to me they keep going under or they are trying to hide something.


I know that you don't, or should not have to spend additional money fixing problems that should not have happened, but if you take a step back for a second, evaluate how much it would cost to put right vs your time trying to fight them and hoping their fix isn't going to be a bodge, then sometimes paying somebody else

[Deleted User]

I'd advise getting a structural surveyor around, get him to assess what has been done wrong and what it will cost to put it right. Get three back up quotes from builders (reputable ones with a thoroughly checked background) as to the cost of putting the issues right.

Then write a letter before action. Then take them to court with your evidence.

Then prepare to get High Court Sheriffs (rather than Bailiffs, Sheriffs have more power) in to get your money back.

I believe the best way is to put the company name and the directors name as defendants, so High Court Sheriffs can look at the Director as well as the company, in case of another name change.

BUT check this with a solicitor as well, with the sums of money involved, its worth doing it properly.

LandyAndy

Windsorcastle wrote: »

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?

Are you confident that these names all belong to the same registered company (ie with the same registered number as the one that did your job)?

Windsorcastle

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Why are you being polite and patient with them?

Well only because I've always thought it gets better results that way, rather than screaming and shouting! But clearly the nice approach isn't working here so it's time to take the gloves off...

pmlindyloo

Everything you need to know here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/builders-and-home-improvements/problems-with-poor-quality-work/poor-quality-work/poor-quality-building-work/

Thrugelmir

LandyAndy wrote: »

Are you confident that these names all belong to the same registered company (ie with the same registered number as the one that did your job)?

Seen that scam pulled before. Similar names so different to tell who is who.

The Company's registration number should appear on the sales invoice.

As others have said. Seek professional advice. Both technical and legal. These guys won't take any notice of a visit or emails. You need to establish all the facts and blast them with both barrels.

Windsorcastle

Thanks all for the really useful advice. I have proof of the company's change of name, so I know I am dealing with the same company.


The registered office is actually their accountant's office. I rang this morning to ask if they were the registered office for XXXX and eventually got the cagey response, "Err, well, yes, I suppose so"!!


I will take advice in accordance with everyone's suggestions here and will post again when there is any progress. Thanks again to everyone who has responded so far. :-)