Try These Rated Companies

Regarding our conversation earlier today, here is the list of issues I have experienced with Priory.

Windows not fully fitted (don't fit very well either - large gaps, even though Steve provided me with the measurements for the windows)

Gutter boxes made of pine (likely to rot without protection)

Garden fence (belongs to Neighbour) torn down

Garden in a complete mess, covered in bricks, cement, soil, tools, general crap

Key Problems with Priory:

1. Foundation

2 weeks delay before getting foundation in (poor planning)

2. Planning

Lack of planning in general - never having the materials when needed. When ou ask them about the material, they say it has been ordered and is coming on x date, but the materials never turn up on time, basically because they hadn't ordered them.

3. Building Inspector

Never get the building inspector in when they say they will.

4. Roof

Roof was a disaster. I agreed with Steve that the roof design could be changed to a Hip design in place of a Gable. They make out they knew all about roofs, Steve kept saying he could do the roof; it would just take him longer than a roofer. When the roofer (they intended on using) caused trouble with the building inspector, they then went to several proper roofers and found out it would cost an additional £4000 (which in itself was

a dubious figure). I therefore had to change the design back to a Gable.

Steve then did the Gable himself (no doubt trying to save some money), which did take longer than expected.

Roof tiles - still several broken ones on the roof - not sure they are sitting correctly if they get broken so easily.

5. Materials

I organised and paid for the windows/door (which I didn't mind), but told

them to get the Velux windows - warning them repeatedly that the Triple glazed windows I wanted had a lead time of 11 days. When the time came to fit them, they hadn't ordered them, saying that they thought I was going to order them. I then had to change the spec. to be able to get windows here

faster, which then only ended up sitting around for a few days. I helped fit the first, because Steve didn't have a clue how to. The second velux window he fitted alone and squeezed it in so tightly it wouldn't open properly. I had to make him re-adjust it (still not as good as the first).

I ordered and paid for the plasterboard, the plaster, the cement, sand and hardcore (for the floor), lathes (for ceiling), floor insulation, roof insulation.

6. Tools

Very rarely turn up with the correct tools.

They generally look around my garage and take whatever they can find without asking, including:

Ladders (all dirty)

Bucket (now ruined and covered in cement)

Extension lead (all dirty)

Screw bits for electric drill (3 bits missing)

Cleaning cloths (discarded on the floor)

Mallet (now missing)

Scissors (now missing)

Pen/pencils (now missing)

Stanley knife (luckily recovered from van)

7. Hospitality

We have been as good as possible to accommodate them, feeding them with coffee/tea and biscuits all day and every day. Giving them access to the toilet at the back of the house and warm running water. They've had access to the garage to store their equipment, which they often left in a mess and dirty. They've had access to most of the drive, which more often than not has a skip overfilling with rubbish standing on it (as it is now). Why an overfilled skip has to sit on the drive for over 3 weeks bewilders me!

8. Due Care & Consideration

They often leave the site in a mess when they go. One time we got so sick of it, we took a lot of the rubbish to the tip ourselves.

When they left one night, the old patio glass door was left leaning up against the old slabs. As it was very windy that night it got blown over onto the new French doors damaging the woodgrain foiling.

Priory did some work for me in december 2010 but didn't finish it even though I paid in full. He didn't render the outside of the garage or complete the flooring inside.

Do not use this company. Steve is a liar and a cheat. He will disappear with your money.