County Lofts Reviews 16

Probably a bit late as I see that, not surprisingly, this company has now gone into liquidation.

We are annoyed with ourselves for falling for Dan's charms (sorry b*llshit) at the quotation stage. He literally could not do enough for us but that all changed once we parted with our deposit when we were dropped like a stone! We found ourselves chasing for details of the arrangements for the start date and pretty much everything else thereafter.

As soon as the job started, everything felt rushed and stressful. We never knew who was turning up and when and were often asked to make decisions on the spot, despite having specifically asked if they could give us prior notice.

Many of the comments on some of the other reviews are depressingly familiar. For example, the shoddy workmanship about which we were made to feel we were being completely unreasonable when we dared complain. In the end, we spent months re-doing much of it ourselves after they had left. The staircase was particularly shocking.

Dan & Steph were both extremely rude and liked to blame us for delays and anything that went wrong. For example, accusing us of buying "the wrong type of shower for a loft". There's no such thing, they failed to read the instructions and instal it correctly!

I agree that they treated their workers appallingly and overheard many a heated argument. No wonder they had difficulty retaining good people.

They were just as incompetent on the admin side. We had to constantly chase for receipts for payments we had made, and they were frequently incorrect.

I could go on and on but were frankly just glad to see the back of them in the end.

I hope their creditors take them to the cleaners!

It took us over the 10 year warranty period to finally find out the reason for the undue movement in the bathroom of our loft conversion. After multiple visit's in the first place. We simply gave up asking them to come back. My only regret was not going with my gut feeling after the RICS guys put me off pursuing the issue further. Insisting that the probable cost could cost me thousands, money I just didn't have if I was wrong. So would I recommend, never in my lifetime. From glazing issues to nobody coming. then the bathroom issue, never, never, never. So, to the main point, who put's MDF under a shower tray? Who uses MDF in a bathroom to pack out the shower wall? so now I know the reason for the undue movement. Yes I accept that I should have pushed it and pushed it, but I just didn't have the money to take the gamble.

Do not use this company! Our list of problems is very, very long. Dan assured us he would be on site. During the lockdown he told us he got stuck on holiday in Portugal. First lie. They LIVE in Portugal so when things went wrong, he was in Portugal with no one in control of the site. We had not 1, but 4 rounds of water pouring in down to not securing the house properly. Dan then blamed us because the glass hadn’t arrived. The glass was delayed because Dan didn't understand the system and refused to talk to the glass contractor. A main contractor refusing to talk to another contractor? Crazy. Every room on the first floor had water damage. We had artwork damaged, rugs damaged, carpet damage. When Dan wasn't shouting abuse over the phone at his workers, he was shouting abuse at me. Steph often claimed their contract was from a template and so were always playing fast a loose with what was included. Every invoice we received they tried to overcharged us. It was meant to be a 6 week schedule. It was 5 months! We agreed bespoke stairs before the build. They were delayed because Dan couldn't pay the contractor for materials. When they did arrive, they were poorly installed because the walls hadn’t been plastered beforehand, leaving a massive gap on the wall. I had to sort this out. The workers would arrive at 9 and leave at 2pm. Some days, they wouldn't show. The quality of work was poor. I had to check everything. They left out insulation, there were bricks missing from an external wall, shoddy lead work, the plaster has already cracked and is wonky in places. Dan was constantly blaming us for the delays. He complained about the tiles we chose. He complained brass fitting we wanted. He complained about putting back our lights after all the damage caused by the water. They did agree to fix the damage caused by them not keeping the water out however, quality of repairs was shocking. Nothing was properly patched, and they slapped paint everywhere including all over our teak bed frame they didn't bother to cover. We had to bring in other decorators to fix their fixes. At every point when there was a small snag, there was an extra cost. What became very clear, quite quickly, Dan and Steph don't care about their workers, they don't care about their clients, all they care about getting their money as quickly as possible. At one point, Dan became so abusive, I wanted to replace them, but he threatened to send some “boys” down to take the roof off our house and accused me of taking food out of his kids mouths. At the end, when we had a dispute over the final cost, he refused to take the scaffolding down until we paid him what he thought he was owed. His threats and abuse got so bad I had to report him to the police. Dan and Steph and deeply unpleasant people with whom we spent a lot of money with and ended up with shoddy work and deeply unpleasant experience. The last thing Dan said to me was he made millions with Bitcoin and he shouldn’t have to deal with people like me. Crazy as it sounds, I could reel off a very long list of all the other dodgy things he said. I don't think they are capable of no lying. Recently added to the list of problems. Our wetroom isn’t draining properly and leaking through the ceiling, His response,” Yeah. Cause that *ucking happens. If it’s not set up properly it won’t work from day one you thick C*&t. More likely blocked up with your sh*!. Now *uck off “
I have taken them to court but the company is now in insolvency which is no surprise given the amount people coming after him for poor work and not paying suppliers. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

The work was completed more than a year ago and we are still waiting to be reimbursed for some of the monies. Our experience was a mixed one. We thought Stef and Dan meant well & knew what they were doing. Unfortunately, the work was carried out by someone who disregarded the structural drawings & plans which meant that the buildings inspector would not sign off the work until the structural engineer was happy. The revised calculations required some remedial work which was also not carried out as described. The builder was very erratic in his attendance at the site - we had to wait almost six weeks before he returned to do the remedial work. Meanwhile, the house suffered as it had not much roof on and the weather was awful. To their credit, County Lofts made good this damage at their own expense. In the end the builder was taken off the job and we were left to find someone else to finish off the work. The whole project over-ran significantly (more than double the time projected). Sadly, the one builder caused huge stress for all involved & Stef was left having to sort out all the problems. All the other tradesmen were very professional and did a great job. Hence the 3 stars....and we would like our outstanding bills paid please....

Enjoyed having the team on site polite, hardworking, knowledgeable great crowd. Great job. Thank you

Friendly group of workers all of whom were hard working and polite. Completed the job in some of the worst weather on record with no less than 3 storms with little or no issues to speak of. Helped with alterations along the way and took care of some additional work that we had planned also.

Very pleased to have chosen county lofts. We were recommended to them by a friend from their conversion a few years back. They are very eager to please and executed the work perfectly. Lots of communication and lots of great ideas along the way. Happy to recommend them onto others.

Overall very pleased with the job. Dropped a star for a 1 week over run on time. Still very happy overall and have already recommended to friends

Impressive from the start simple yet well thought out design that gave us a master bedroom and shower room. Build was quite quick 6 weeks including the decoration. Can safely recommend them to anybody

Poor quality workmanship and rushed. Didn't make effort to secure property during poor weather. Destroyed inside ceilings and then didn't properly make good again. On decorating, after work complete, discovered carpentry was very poor with rough edges and needed remedial action including filling gaps at base of doors with wood strips, also needing to plane down surfaces, fill in gaps with wood filler. Flat roof began pooling with water soon after installation. When informed told it was normal until leak damaged inside wall; only then did they redo roof (lay a 2nd one over). The roof tiling very poor with several holes allowing animals into building. Had to come out several times for remedial action. Walls wonky before plaster work and plastering very rushed ( wonky in places). Much more we could say including work over running from 6 weeks to 3 months; it certainly wasn't a complicated job. Project manager very rude + Stef (co-owner) very rude too. If you do go with County Lofts make sure you have an independent surveyor who's willing to climb a ladder and inspect everything (or do it yourself with a camera and a head for heights).

In response to Dan's reply (copied verbatim here for posterity):

> Reply from County Lofts
> 20 minutes ago
> Dear Blair
> During your build there was a storm. Not only did it take the sheet off of the roof
> (leaving the timber anchors in place and actually tearing the tarpaulin) it took down
> a wall and a tree in the next street. This is somewhat out of our control we still
> completely rectified your ceilings as new. When we left they were brand new. Not so
> when we arrived of course. We understand that even though you were not living at the
> house as you ended up doing an almost total refurbishment on the bungalow. Far from
> just a loft above including re modelling of entire front section of property and new
> bathroom to ground floor. This couldn’t of been a nice experience but certain things
> like storms are beyond our control
> You mention people should employ surveyors. You did. Everyone does he’s the building
> inspector and he has issued you with the compliance certificate. He wouldn’t issue
> it if the work was incorrect
> I can guarantee there are no issues at the property and there are no wonky walls.
> Everything was up to standard when we left I can’t comment about animals getting
> into the house it makes no sense. Sorry to read these comments that were
> posted 2 years after we left
> I can comment that no one was rude to you.
> Kind Regards
> Dan Ryan

1) The storm was forecast and I was concerned at the time and asked that the tarps be secured properly. The trouble is County Lofts skimped on cost and used just 2 sheets and didn't even properly secure them. Instead they simply weighed them down with wood. There was no effort made to come and secure things as I called several times during the day begging for help.
2) The ceilings that County Lofts re-plastered were already new. I had them plastered only the year before County Lofts arrived. The original plastering was better quality and not wonky.
3) County Lofts did not install a new bathroom. That's a complete fabrication.
4) Regarding Building Inspectors, they are paid by County Lofts and when I requested Building Control make their statutory final inspection before the final payment County Lofts threatened to pull out; they (Stef) told me I would be forced to pull everything down and restart. I was forced to contact and pay the inspector directly. Stef was particularly rude at this point.
5) A building inspector only checks that minimum standards are applied, eg structural integrity etc. A building inspector doesn't care about poor workmanship.
6) I can back up everything I say with photographic evidence (including the wonky walls).
7) There were many other issues. In fact, this review is being kind.

Really pleased with decision to go with Dan and his team. Top class service from all involve. Would highly recommend

Greg SW14

Recently Jonathan and David from County Lofts completed our loft conversion. The work was a breeze from the early stages. No hard sell just a genuine example of willingness to work and please with a simple yet clever design package for us. Architect was very accommodating and forthcoming. Work on site was swift and executed to a good standard. Guys had further ideas on site how to tweak things slightly to benefit the overall design and overall finish. Lots of communication and questions answered quickly via either the team on site, Dan or the office. Steph in the office was very helpful and any minor issues, snags were addressed with ease.
Well deserved full marks from this end
Ray and Sue. Winchmore Hill

Big thank you to all at county lofts. Our new loft rooms are fantasti. Really appreciate the effort and organisation that went into making it all happen. Dave and Mark were great with getting the project completed to a great finish with minimal fuss.
Dan was always on hand and offered great ideas throughout the works. Would highly recommend these guys. Thank you

County Lofts carried out our loft conversion in 2018 we were very pleased with the result the guys worked very hard and were clean and tidy. Communication was great throughout via Dan and via the guys on site. Works got completely finished in 6 weeks which we thought was fantastic. Would highly recommend them

I feel it is necessary to add my comments at this stage of the works (although the works are not complete yet) as Dan Ryan and his team at County Lofts are doing a great job. The majority of the works to the new dormer at my home are complete and “as usual” County Lofts has kept me and my husband fully informed and updated at each stage of the work in progress.
You may have noted in my last sentence I wrote
“as usual” this is because it is actually the second time that my husband and I have used County Loft to do a loft conversion for us. We first used them just over 10 years ago. The reason why we chose to use them again is because of their quality workmanship and the care they put into making the job right. They also have an excellent after care service that has brought peace of mind to us and no doubt to all their other customers too.

It is most unfortunate that my neighbour has carried out her threats by going to the lengths she has taken to try to discredit, thus tarnish County Lofts excellent reviews record. Clearly ‘one’ could see that historically County Lofts have had nothing but excellent reviews, so I urge all potential/future customers to read my neighbour’s review with an open mind, as I could attest that she has indeed posted non-factual and incorrect information in her review. She has exaggerated the whole situation for what would appear to be for mercenary reasons.

Thankfully this company didn't do a build for me, but they did for my neighbours. What a nightmare it has been as part of the build impacted my property in that they did work on my side of the party wall and the workmanship is extremely poor, such that my property is going to leak and be damaged. It also is a real eyesore because it has been so poorly executed.

Said neighbours hired County Lofts to do their Permitted Development Rights huge loft conversion.

My Party Wall Agreement clearly stipulates that there is no access to my roof for their build.
Clause 3: That the works relating to the construction of the rear dormer cheeks do not fall under the jurisdiction of the wall etc. Act 1996, thus these works fall outside of remit of this Award. Where access to the adjoining owner's property is required to facilitate these works, express consent must first be obtained from the adjoining owner.

I informed County Lofts and several of their workers as well as put up a huge sign in my window (visible from the party wall) "You do not have permission to be on my roof."

I arrived back from a trip abroad to see rubbish strewn all over my roof and it was evident that they had been on my roof without permission.

Again warned them about having not permission to be on my property.

I woke up to several men on my roof. I asked them to politely leave. The replies I received were;
"Sorry, the boss told me to get on with it. Nothing to do with me. Not moving off."
"Call the police, they ain't gonna do nothing."
"I'm not getting off your roof. Boss told me to just carry on."

I eventually spoke with County Lofts who informed me that my neighbour owed him loads of money and that he had to think of his children and Xmas and that he was not going to instruct his men to get off my roof. He also tried to convince me that his workers being on my roof was in my best interests as he said that he needed to weatherproof the party wall because the workers were going off for Xmas and my property would be damaged by water getting in.

He had taken off the coping stones at the beginning of November and the party wall had been exposed to the elements for a great deal of time. Suddenly this became an urgent matter.

I informed County Lofts that I would be taking legal action to which he replied, "It's quite a sad affair that you are wanting to make such an issue in so many peoples lives who have young families especially at this time of year. I think it's very sad." ".....and you want to try to affect my business and take food from (my child's) his mouth. How awful." He did not see anything wrong in what he had done.

They have since been on my roof without permission at least one more time that I know of.

Without my permission, they have used my side of the Party Wall to seal their build.

In conclusion; County Lofts do as they please and take absolutely no responsibility for their actions.

As a professional, you would expect them to do due diligence prior to taking on a job and ensure that they have access to other people's land if they need it in order to do a job properly.

One would also expect much more professional behaviour from a professional company.

Addendum
In response to their reply. I bought my property with the loft conversion having already been done.
03/02/2020
The work that County Lofts did is of such a poor standard that I am taking legal action against my neighbours so that I can get an independent contractor to make good the poor quality work that they did. It is not in accordance with the Lead Sheet Training Academy.

Furthermore, they have damaged my property, removed my coping stones without permission, have placed the flashing on my side of the Party Wall which means that my property has to take all the rainwater.

This is my unhappy experience with County Lofts. The choice as to whether to use them or not is entirely up to you.