This evening I looked up the prices of loft floorboards, they're about £10 for one which is 1m x 3m... nowhere near £400 then as the MD stated a month ago (click). Seems my instincts back then were right.. 

This, and 2 other bulbs (rear of pic) have been burning for at least 4 weeks now!!

At about 3pm I got an email containing a copy of a letter that was due to arrive today. The letter was.. well... bizarre.

It seemed to be written by someone who was completely detached from this job.

The first thing I thought of when reading it was Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, the Iraqi Minister of Information:

"There is no problem with this loft"
"We are almost there"
"There is only 1 day of work left"

I think the best way to show this is to show the entire letter below on the left, along with my comments on the right, but be warned... it's starting to get catty...

Firstly, I would like to make it clear that we were not being clever with the scaffold not coming down. Please be assured we want to get the job completed as soon as possible. Also, the reason that I have not signed for the recorded delivery of your e-mails is that I have not received them.
 

Errr.... "we were not being clever with the scaffolding not coming down"  and "the reason that I have not signed for the recorded delivery"... Well, that sounds like a direct reply to my update of 11th May Click. (I'll ignore the fact that there is recorded delivery of post, not email and that there is no recorded delivery of email.)

So this is interesting, so does this mean that the company have found my blog? If they have, does that matter? Are they trying to deny that they used the threat of leaving the scaffolding up as blackmail? That's odd - particularly as he left a recorded message on my machine and told me he was recording it as well.

Hmmm.. so are you reading this?

I really don't know what he means by saying he was surprised he got the contract.

Oh, and he was more than happy to receive confirmation of the order by email....

No, no completion date was initially given to me, but despite asking, and asking and asking (for example, click), I forced the issue and agreed one with the Project Manager and, as agreed, put it in writing (click). I also discussed it with the Managing Director personally at my house on 10th April (click). I then confirmed again, by recorded delivery on 16th April that he had agreed to this date (click) and his emailed reply on the 17th April (click) confirms that he acknowledged this date and confirmed dates it would be completed. This date slipped twice without any solid reason.

This is precisely why I have been putting things in writing, rather than phone calls that seem afterwards to have not taken place. I put this point in writing to him on 4th May (click), writing that a) the building inspector has not been round, b) the insulation under the floorboards has not been signed off, and c) his (intimidating) visit opened only a hole in across one area that had "luckily" had a strip of insulation under it.

Let me explain with a picture:

What does he think I did, remove this horrible material that has no value, take up the chicken wire, remove any evidence of it ever being there, destroy the floorboards and pay these guys extra labour just to be able to take this picture?? No, the fact is we didn't look under there. I'm not  a building inspector and not qualified to know what to look for. He is, did and found this.

Anyway it would be really pedantic to say that he never came at 6:30am on a Monday as it was 7:30 on Tuesday (click).

When the salesman turned up, we said we wanted these window doors. He showed us pictures of these types of doors so we selected, and guess what? They're confirmed in writing on the contract. Quote "One UPVC window 1100m x 1250mm will be fitted to the top of the staircase, and a set of 4 panel French Doors with Juliette balcony to the bedroom.". When the plans turned up on the 6th March showing it as incorrect, we immediately brought this to his attention (click) and he agreed that there had been a disconnect between sales and drawing and thought it was best to get the architect back in. This was supposed to happen on the 8th, then the  9th, then 12th March before saying "it's okay, we'll just do it and it's too late for the architect to come back in now".

So, basically we got the windows that the salesman sold, that we wanted and that was confirmed in the order, but he's claiming we changed them...! Eh?

This letter came in on 15th May and here he refers to a point in which he spoke to the building inspector on the 8th May (click) so he knows perfectly well what the situation is. This is so strange; I've told him I'm speaking directly to the building inspector but he's coming back as if I'm really stupid.

The building inspector said the width was too big and it needed to be shortened. Full stop. No compromise. Has to be done to be compliant. I don't care if he confirms it's a doughnut made from recycled Kryptonite, it's not compliant!

This is the same as before - he spoke about this specific point in his phone call with the building inspector on the 8th May where he was told the height HAS to be 2.0 (or higher) and it's 1.85m. So why, oh why oh why would he be telling me the height (which is 1.85) and it's normally sufficient to be passed?

Why didn't I give him the contract? Oh, that's an easy one... because they said they could do it in 3 - 4 weeks and Pete said 10 - 12 weeks. They said their firm had many craftsmen that had worked for them for years and were specialist as they only did lofts. Multiple people hitting it all at once in a quality, seamless team.

Yeah, I feel a mug now!

I did note the "to complete the job" and "snagging" words as completing the job was quite a considerable task (note I've had 2 guys on it for 3 weeks now), and that he hadn't contacted me, nor had he independently inspected the work to get a snagging list!

I wonder if a) he's had a change of heart, b) realised that the letters mean that I am serious about removing it myself or c) has seen this blog and realises it's about him? 

Hmmm...  I'm still veering towards c), but then what about the points above that ignore the fact I have so many pictures documenting the real state and poor quality work? I just don't know.

Is reasonableness a word?

I've so far incurred 3 times the original time of contract and over £3,000 of additional work to put right the poor workmanship (as required by the building control inspector, not by an opinionated builder) and there's still a fair bit to do - I haven't even got a floor!

I don't want to jeopardise anything in my reply so will have a chat with someone who knows first.

Basically I had a good laugh at this. The building inspector's coming round tomorrow so I'll let him have a copy (for reference, his files, mates down the pub, whatever).

Something else is that the letter arrived in the cheapest envelope with handwriting on it that looked like it was a child's and hadn't spelt "London" correctly. The letter was printed on the cheapest paper so that it was smudgy and nasty. Quite different to the sales contract then.

I'm still puzzled with what to make of it. On one hand I think he's seen the blog and on the other, how could he? I'm fairly sure he didn't write it though - the MD's struck me as an intelligent man who's very much in control and this just doesn't sound like him. Perhaps the general gist of it was dictated (fast) to someone else who didn't pay attention at school?

Beautiful!

So, how about some pictures from today?

Building control inspector is visiting tomorrow to sign off this work. Then the floorboards will go down.

And one final thing. I did a little digging today and found out he has 5 directorships recorded. Looking at some of those companies, this one has had a name change recently and one other active company he has specialise in .... lofts! Wow, who'd have thought he'd have two companies, running two accounts, two sets of assets and probably employing the same subcontractors. Also of note is that the website has much of the same wording and the mobile number on the site is that of the salesman for this company.

The bit I really like on the site is "[company name] do not send unsupervised contractors into your home. We only use our own qualified craftsmen. Many of our craftsmen have been with us for many years. We employ our own Qualified Carpenters, Plumbers, Bricklayers, Plasterers, Tilers, Painters & Decorators"

Sounds great... but it's all just talk isn't it?

Basically chaps I don't think this is going anywhere.

If I take him to court and win, I don't think the company won't honour the CCJ but will fold with no assets just before as the customer's existing contracts are transferred (probably unknowingly) to another company. If this company's name does become public (through court action)... then they'll change.

I have a feeling this guy, with his swimming pool, stables and flashy car has done this before and will do it again. He's clever and knows what he's doing.. and the law offers him too much protection.

On a brighter, depressing (!) note, maybe they're all the same. I found out today from my neighbour that his brother had a loft extension with the specialist company that we nearly did. They did 8 lofts in the road parallel to ours, all happy customers. Doing this guy's, they ran into a finished / not finished dispute and... left the scaffolding up!

So, my advice at the moment if you're thinking - do it yourself. Architect, QS, the works. "Specialist" to me implies specialist in knowing where to cut the corners. 

Said I should respond along the following lines:

• address each point & explain why it's b*llox
• tell him I've spent £3,000 so far putting right his sh*t
• say if he wants to issue proceedings then go ahead, in which case I will counter claim for the £3,000, otherwise bugger off.

Sounds like good advice and I'm going to go with it.

A copy of the letter's below:

16^th May 2007

Dear [removed],

 Thank you for your letter dated 14^th May.

 I was most surprised by its contents since these points had been addressed in previous (written) communications, however to address them formally I will elaborate:

1. Scaffolding

On 30^th April, I left a message, and put in writing that I was terminating our contract as there was still much work to be done. On 1^st May you left a voice mail threatening that you would not be taking down the scaffolding. On the 10^th of May scaffolders came and removed the boarding from the access panels at the front and the rear and removed all safety rails. They did not return.

 I was left with no option to respond to this threat advising I would be removing it and I merely ensured you knew I would be exercising my right to remove your property from my land.

2. Ignoring your calls

Mr [removed] I have not refused to communicate with you and have only not returned calls when asked 2 times. Once on 17^th April where you wanted me to have a conference call with your employee to tell me he never sold “3-4 weeks” and another on 1^st May when you had the communication that I had terminated the contract.

 I have used email as a communication tool more than I am happy with, but I thought it necessary due to the contents of voice conversations being forgotten. Email is a perfectly reasonable tool to use to pass information between us and confirm various details. For example, I confirmed to proceed with the contract on email in February.

3. Time

Time is and always has been of the essence. Your salesman used the promise of “3-4 weeks” delivery as a major sales point, and even went on to advise how you could manage this with your “no-subcontractor” policy and how you had teams of craftsmen who, it was made to sound, would swarm onto the job to get it done quicker than any others.

 Your website says, and still does, “4-5 weeks”. The contract that I have states “4-5 weeks”.  Even if you think it should be 5-6 weeks, the job is on week 12 and there’s still more to go.

 I am surprised that you state no guaranteed completion date was given, as it was. Firstly, even if I misheard “3-4” (which I did not), the “4-5 weeks” printed clearly implies that 5 weeks from the start (5^th March) the work would be finished. Secondly, I asked for repeatedly for dates from both Jason and yourself. After no action I agreed a fair and reasonable date to complete all the works (20^th April) and put this in writing. I also discussed this with you on your visit to my house on 10^th April. When you had done nothing after a further week, I wrote to you and advised I would be sticking to this deadline. You replied in writing that it would all be done that week (providing a schedule) and said it might slip by a day.

 Since that point, it slipped by 3 days, and then another 2 finally to find that actually there were about 3 weeks left.

4. Plumbing

Your comments about the plumber are misinformed. The plumber who came for 1^st fix did not return. Another plumber returned who (despite the family emergency that I know about) could not find the hot/cold feeds nor the radiator pickups. A 3^rd plumber attended on that Friday, but he merely connected up the hot/cold feed and then left.

 Whilst on the plumbing subject you should know that this 3^rd plumber cut and threw away 2 large sections of carpet, left floorboards lifted out, and left a considerable amount of rubble around the area he routed the pipes. In addition, the main and secondary radiator pipes leaked when pressure tested, the shower waste pipe ran uphill and the towel rail was installed with the bottom on the floor. 

5. The fireproof insulation on the floor

I am aware that the building inspector has spoken to you about this on the 8^th May, so yet again I am surprised.

Firstly, it’s the building inspector’s opinion that matters, not mine. However, when you attended on 10^th April, intimidating me over an additional cost of £400 of floorboards if you removed all, you cut a hole in one section of one floorboard that happened to be one of the few with insulation beneath.

 When the inspector attended he insisted that 4 random boards were completely lifted. This revealed that there was only 3 areas that had been done – 1 near the double doors and 2 strips near the veluxes. The inspector subsequently insisted that every floorboard was removed so he could inspect all.

As you can see from this picture showing 50% of the structure’s floor, removing the floorboards showed a great deal of insulation missing.

 Incidentally, removing the floorboards has also uncovered other areas of deficiency in the side supports that has had to be corrected.

6. Windows/doors

The most important thing is we have the windows that we want, and the building inspector has allowed them to remain. However your statement saying that I spoke to Jason and changed these doors to windows which were on the drawing is bizarre. 

 The day we saw the plans we highlighted the error and were told that the architect would return on March 8^th, 9^th and 12^th, but never did. You will also note that the contract states what we asked for (and what we’ve got) "One UPVC window 1100m x 1250mm will be fitted to the top of the staircase, and a set of 4 panel French Doors with Juliette balcony to the bedroom.".

7. The balcony

The building inspector has ruled the balcony is not compliant and had to be changed or modified. 

This has now been done.

8. The bulkhead

The new landing bulkhead is what I wanted amending to look “reasonable”. The bulkhead on the new bathroom floor is what the inspector is referring to.

 As he explained to you during your conversation with him on the 8^th May, it needs to be 2.0 and 1.85 will not suffice. 

This has now been done.

9. My new contractors

You ask why I didn’t give the contract to Pete? That’s because he said he would take 10 – 12 weeks and your salesman 3-4.

 The 2 main reasons I singled your firm out from the others and decided to go with your company are the speed and the lack of subcontractors used (confirmed in writing on your website)

 Finally

To conclude, when I advised the contract was terminated I had an estimate of 2 weeks remaining work, however the new contractors have uncovered more corners cut and work that needed re-doing. The state of the job on the 30^th April was quite disgusting and even now, 3 weeks on there is still more to do.

 Acknowledging there is a £2,000 balance on the account, so far I have spent £3,000  in a) correcting the work that was done incorrectly, and b) completing the work that was not done. These are not opinions of a rival builder, these are requirements from the building control inspector, and are itemised and documented, with photographs. The work is not yet finished and this bill will rise.

 I note the threatening nature of your recent communications, and your instance to obtain payment by whatever means necessary.  If you wish to issue proceedings, then I am able to accept service of your legal papers. Otherwise there should be no further communication from this point.

 Sincerely

The building inspector came round, signed off the various items and picked up the copy of the 14th May letter from the loft company (click)

Being particularly vexed at the "building inspector has signed it off" line, he called the company and spoke to the MD.

A rather bizarre conversation ensued in which the MD said that the floor was signed off and he would provide dates of when the inspector came round to sign the floor off by the end of the day (which never materialised).

Amongst other things, he suggested that the client had guys working in the house at the same time as his and whoever messed various things up (ie. the floor) weren't guys working for him. Being told that they were there whilst he (the building inspector) and the project manager was and that the guys were clearly working for the project manager brought us to the rather convenient dead end of pointing out the project manager's not working for the firm any more so we can't ask him.

Right, so whilst I was paying him a shed-load of money and when the contract wasn't in dispute, I was employing other workers to be in the house and mess things up?

Incredible. Just incredible....

This could be a problem - one can't get to the outside without the scaffolding now. Oh joy of joys......

The problem is the alley way is too narrow. However, with a scissor lift it should be possible...

But to hire one from www.hss.co.uk for 2 days costs £325.00, where as a 8.2m alley scaff tower for 2 days would only cost £156.00... so as much fun as it looks, I think I'm going to have to stick with scaffolding.

Note the position of the toilet on the floor is where it will actually stay. If it's pushed any further back you couldn't use it (unless you were 3 foot tall!). To the rear of it we will be building a box which will have a door and shelves for towels "and stuff".

The shower itself is a high quality brass one, so shouldn't break! It gets its power from a high capacity Worcester Bosh combination condenser boiler downstairs (recently installed). We previously had a cylinder boiler system with a pump, but the pump kept breaking, her ladyship would have a knack of empting the water and it never properly heated the house. Going for a quality product means the whole house can be heated and it can run 2 showers simultaneously. Well... theoretically, anyway! It can certainly run one shower extremely well and with some more taps on appears to cope. It's a lot to ask from a single boiler, but we really wanted the space back from the cylinder and you can't put a pump on a combi feed.

The other thing is the new boiler hugs trees. Something like 70% more efficient than the one it replaced.

I think there'll be some compromise here and I'm prepared to go to: they send a new unit, I pay for scaffolding, they put the replacement one in, the old unit goes back to them.

We'll see.
 

Progress has been slow due to the attendance has been pretty poor, but after 5 days of no attendance (and not answering his phone) I went round to his house to ask what's going on.

The answer was he's on another job, a neighbour's kitchen, "be finished in another week" he said.

Nice that he told us rather than just disappear isn't it.... 

In the meantime we popped a few coats of paint around the place. Keeps the plaster dust at bay!