stabling company, would you be upset?

[AceAmara]

i have just had a stabling company (well known & established) come and erect a stable block for me. A long time was spent in the planning process of the spec that I required however when the guys were here building them it soon became apparent they had a differing spec sheet from the one I had been sent to confirmed and there were various things they didn’t have with them - nothing major that prevents me from using them but annoying nonetheless;eg extra wood for linings, guttering, extra finishings i had asked for. The company have said their boss is on holiday for a week and nothing can now be done until he’s back and they are based several hours from us. Even more annoying though is that they were here over several days and I showed them where the keys were to help themselves to our little holiday cottage where i had left milk in the fridge, t bags etc and told them use it as they please, inc the bathroom. I was otherwise occupied with work and small children but on the last day i was horrified that there were packing up to leave having left litter and mess everywhere! I politely asked them to tidy up their mess before they left but I have spent a significant amount of time cleaning up bits of wood, off cuts of metal, plastic wrapping, card, LOTS of bent nails , screws, bolts.. 6 ice lolly wrappers (!) and so many cigarette ends I lost count. The cigarette ends were not just round the stable block but I have found them on the path through my garden and round to where they were using a power point. The door to my cottage was never opened and I can’t imagine they didn’t need to receive themselves while they were here Is this just par for the course these days? None of us smoke and I hate people smoking on my property, I understand others do.. but to throw the ends to the ground with disregard , not least all the other mess they left, it’s spoiled the whole thing really or maybe I am being too precious.

 

[Barnacle]

I'd be annoyed about the specs but to be honest you just shouldn't have offered them the holiday cottage if you wanted it to stay pristine. Sure they should have kept things tidy but it's just not worth the hassle to deal with all that. I'd just sort out the spec issue and leave it at that and forget the mess... Nothing you can do anyway.

 

[Cortez]

Yes, I'd be boiling mad that the company did not supply to the brief, and I would be making damn sure they rectified the situation tout suite. The mess? Just get over it.

 

[AceAmara]

I'd be annoyed about the specs but to be honest you just shouldn't have offered them the holiday cottage if you wanted it to stay pristine. Sure they should have kept things tidy but it's just not worth the hassle to deal with all that. I'd just sort out the spec issue and leave it at that and forget the mess... Nothing you can do anyway.

but they didnt even use it? they never went in.. thats half my point.

eta sorry just re-read my post and it does sound confusing. I offered the use of the cottage but they never went in there, all the mess was strewn around outside and through my garden and given they didnt use the loo in the cottage im adding 2 and 3 together..

 

[cobgoblin]

They should have cleared up after themselves, I would have a word with the boss when he comes back.
Don't cough up any more money until you get all your specifications.

 

[sarahw123]

The few occasions we've ever had work done we have always made sure someone is 'about' to keep an eye, pick up on any thing not to plan etc.

 

[Getoutmypockets]

I'd be fuming about the spec, and also the disregard of your facilities! I've always left tea coffe and biccys fur builders or workman, and yes things are never as clean as they were before but the dog ends is a pee take however probably not worth complaint about, I'd be more concerned about the specs and when they return I would not be accommodating them in such a way. Such a shame as should be an exciting time having new stables

 

[Orangehorse]

I think a stiff letter to the manager of the company is required. The work wasn't as the written contract, and workmen being untidy should be a thing of the past.

 

[honetpot]

I have just had a house built, not one of the workmen cleared up after themselves, one came back for an odd hour and cleaned all his fag ends out of his car on my drive. An electrician shoved a empty sandwich packet down a cavity wall, and even so called educated carpenters were just as bad. This is despite leaving 3 black bins. The Polish workman who have just done the last bit even separated the rubbish for the recycling, I almost fell over with shock.
I hope you have not paid in full for the stables, hold what ever you think the things left off cost and withhold payment, and explain why until they have been to the specification you agreed on.

 

[WelshD]

I'd concentrate on the spec, having previously been a National customer service manager my main problem was not being able to nail down the important stuff from a customer complaint, there is nothing worse than hearing 'and another thing, and another thing' concentrate on the important stuff, get that sorted then write thanking them for their service but you do think that they would like to know that the workmen were smoking on site and its important for them to make clear when and where this is appropriate and safe. Always concentrate on important points.

Besides if you complain about the workmen now who do you think will be coming out to do the corrections......

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I'd concentrate on the spec, having previously been a National customer service manager my main problem was not being able to nail down the important stuff from a customer complaint, there is nothing worse than hearing 'and another thing, and another thing' concentrate on the important stuff, get that sorted then write thanking them for their service but you do think that they would like to know that the workmen were smoking on site and its important for them to make clear when and where this is appropriate and safe. Always concentrate on important points.

Besides if you complain about the workmen now who do you think will be coming out to do the corrections......

I would tell the boss not to send the same men as they left litter and you don't want them back. That's quite clear.

 

[AceAmara]

great advice thanks! given they have most probable been peeing al over my garden i dont want them back

 

[WelshD]

I would tell the boss not to send the same men as they left litter and you don't want them back. That's quite clear.

leaving litter has no bearing on their ability to do the job, if the work so far has been good i would value that over any litter any day

 

[YorksG]

To the persn who used to work in complaints, YOU may only be interested in the main complaint, THE CUSTOMER is interested in the whole experience, if people manage to apologise and perhaps make good, that is far better PR than someone at the other end of the phone, who only wants "the main complaint". I have noticed recently that a number of building firms have no regard for others in their "work space", which when extending a local house appeared to be the highway!
OP complain and insist on different workpeople to complete the job.

 

[WelshD]

To the persn who used to work in complaints, YOU may only be interested in the main complaint, THE CUSTOMER is interested in the whole experience, if people manage to apologise and perhaps make good, that is far better PR than someone at the other end of the phone, who only wants "the main complaint". I have noticed recently that a number of building firms have no regard for others in their "work space", which when extending a local house appeared to be the highway!
OP complain and insist on different workpeople to complete the job.

I see what you are saying but I do promise that I didn't get the job by disregarding people's complaints, there is a fine line between getting your complaint across and sounding like you are a serial whinger which is why I always recommend picking out the things that REALLY matter and not dredging up every last detail

 

[YorksG]

I see what you are saying but I do promise that I didn't get the job by disregarding people's complaints, there is a fine line between getting your complaint across and sounding like you are a serial whinger which is why I always recommend picking out the things that REALLY matter and not dredging up every last detail

But surely leaving litter and bent nails etc, as well as urinating in the garden, whilst erecting a building that isn't up to spec is all one complaint? The whole outfit sounds like Bodgit and Scarper to me, and yet the OP thought she was using a reputable cmpany!