Loft conversion nightmare - advice please!

Windsorcastle

caz_who_loves_a_bargain wrote: »

So sorry to hear of the problems you've encountered. I've had similar problems with roofers, who are basically conmen ripping people off, when the law starts to catch up with them,they close down and open up in another name and the process starts again.I reported to Trading Standards.I haven't got my money back or the work done but at least i know i'm not the only one these men ripped off and they are being watched. I haven't suffered anywhere near the problems or financial loss that you have but i can understand the frustration stress and anger that they just seem to be getting away with it, but please please don't let it cause arguments between you and your wife. It's not her fault, it's not your fault, it's their fault. Good luck, I hope you have a good outcome in the end. I find some satisfaction leaving reviews to warn others wherever I can.

Thanks for your kind comments. Sorry to hear you also had problems with cowboy roofers - unfortunately there are a lot of them about. I have definitely lost all faith in the building trade and don't think I will ever trust any of them to do work for me again.


I do intend to contact Trading Standards as well if and when we finally get over this. It's difficult knowing when to stop hoping you can get an amicable resolution and just realising you need to go down official/legal routes...

Windsorcastle

Partner left a very upset and angry voicemail for Bertie BS's sidekick this morning as Bertie's phone is out of action. Mini-Bertie didn't call her back but emailed to say they are committed to completing the work and will have a definite response about timeframe by Friday. We have been here so many times before and it is always just delaying tactics.
We will email them back tonight and tell them that Friday is the absolute deadline for a GUARANTEED start date within the next 14 days, otherwise we will start the process of getting other builders to quote, get the work completed ourselves and then pursue them (and/or the Building Regs people) for the money. I feel depressed already waiting for Friday, in the certainty that there will be yet another stony silence... :-(

Windsorcastle

Just to update everyone who was kind enough to offer advice:


Friday came and went with no response as predicted - cue another very angry email at the weekend saying that we were seeing a solicitor on Monday. Lo and behold, we had an email back late on Monday to say that a team would be round to start the work today. I could hardly believe my eyes when they arrived this morning, and started laying down floor protectors everywhere. The works are going to be pretty extensive - the ceiling in the loft and 2 other rooms have to come down so that they can repair all the leaks, but it is finally being done so we are so relieved that we are happy to live with the mess and disruption.


Feeling so much happier today. Fingers crossed these guys will do a proper job this time...Will post an update when they finish which should be a week to 10 days apparently.


Thank you all so much for kind comments and practical advice!!

Stevieboy118

So nice to hear things are looking up.

TBeckett100

I'd have their work checked as they go along.

Windsorcastle

Stevieboy118 wrote: »

So nice to hear things are looking up.

Thanks Stevieboy!

Windsorcastle

TBeckett100 wrote: »

I'd have their work checked as they go along.

Good point, thanks. It's a completely new group of guys so I'm hoping this lot are competent...

Chanes

Dreadful story but it looks like things might finally come right. You truly deserve it for your patience! I can't add anything to the advice already offered except try hard not to tear a relationship apart with your significant other over dodgy building work! That would be a double tragedy!

Windsorcastle

Chanes wrote: »

Dreadful story but it looks like things might finally come right. You truly deserve it for your patience! I can't add anything to the advice already offered except try hard not to tear a relationship apart with your significant other over dodgy building work! That would be a double tragedy!

Thanks Chanes. And you're absolutely right, but these things can get so stressful and when it's something that's gone wrong in your own home, as the late great Dusty Springfield once said, "There's always something there to remind me"!! ;-)


Anyway, I was at home when the new guys clocked on this morning and the foreman took me up to talk me through what they had found and what they were doing to put it right. Interestingly he told me they are the loft company's 'SAS team' because they parachute them in to sort out snagging and jobs that have been done badly by other subcontractors! They do this all the time!


He also said that I shouldn't feel so bad because the original conversion was mostly done well and the problems were all caused by them rushing stuff because they were 'on a price' and they didn't recheck things when they should have done. He assured me that his team have been told not to leave my house till every single snag has been repaired to our satisfaction, so that was music to my ears!


They have also traced the source of the leaks into the downstairs bedroom, having removed the ceiling yesterday, and will fix those today.


So fingers crossed, things are finally looking up. Better still, that bedroom was badly in need of redecoration from a teenage black/silver phase (don't ask) and had an airtex ceiling and they are now going to plaster the new ceiling and repaint the whole room magnolia, so that's saved me a job. He was apologetic they couldn't recreate the colour scheme but I 'reluctantly' concurred!! :rotfl:

red_imps_2003

Thank you for the update; I've been following with interest. I really hope this lot do a decent job and you can finally draw a line under this stressful affair.