Every now and then it seems that certain sections of the media are quick to smear the entire building industry with the antics of a small minority of cowboy builders. Therefore FMB Wales were gladdened to read the letter from happy client Alun Griffiths, which arrived out of the blue. Alun highlights the effect that the FMB can have on the situation when difficulties are encountered.
Alun Griffiths writes:
I had a loft conversion, carried out by an FMB member, two years ago and during the build there was a slight change to the floor space, which needed revised calculations to be supplied by the builder’s structural engineer.
The work was completed and my family and I were enjoying the benefits of our extended home. Some months later, I contacted the council to ask when I could expect the completion certificate. I was surprised at the council’s response stating that they could not ‘sign off’ the work, as the revised calculations had not been received.
I contacted the builder and was advised that it would be dealt with immediately and the calculations would be sent direct to the council. Over 18 months I sent several emails and made 20 telephone calls to the builder, and each time I was promised faithfully that the information would be forthcoming.
Eventually, the frustration of waiting to hear back from the builders drove me to telephone the FMB in London. It was confirmed that the builder was still a member and I was transferred through to the Cardiff office immediately. I lodged some brief details with Richard Jenkins, the FMB Wales Director, who delegated the action to Jo Goode at the Cardiff office. Jo rang me the next day and I gave her the full details. The day after Jo called me to say that she expected to have the information by the end of that week.
Much to my astonishment, Jo called me early the following week to say that she had received the required information. Two and a half years of waiting and the FMB had got the result in a little more than a week!
The information has been passed to the council and hopefully the completion certificate will be with me soon. The FMB’s intervention certainly saved me the hassle and time of taking the builder to court.
So, even though my experience was not entirely positive I would always advise others to use the building services of and FMB member!
