Has anyone used TLC (The Loft Company) for a conversion?

[Rubyblueshoes]

I have heard both good and negative things about Econoloft and South London Lofts but have yet to find any impartial reviews of TLC (beyond the recommendations on their website of course).

Does anyone have any experience with them.

Failing that, does anyone have opinions on SLL or Econoloft?
All 3 have quoted on a starter dormer shell conversion and I'd be interested in hearing more about them to help me make the decision..?

 

[Timas]

Hello Rubyblueshoes,

Just wanted to ask if you used TLC, and if you have had any problems with them. We have chosen TLC and they commenced work 11 weeks ago however we have not heard or seen from them in the 4 weeks and are unable to get through to the company feeling very anxious about whether or not we have fallen victim to a rogue, especially after we have paid all the money now from continuous calls to pay.

Thanks

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

we have paid all the money now from continuous calls to pay.

That was at least your second big mistake, the first was employing them in the first place. Choice of contractor should always be by way of personal recommendation and/or if you have seen their work.

 

[catlad]

well I guess they think they have finished what is left to be done.

 

[Timas]

third call lucky found out from the company that they have gone into receivership.

Work left to complete includes finishing the drynlining, fitting the staircase and window panes, finishing the electrics, plumbing, plastering, the dormer tiles and making good the extended living room and conversion.

Now with no money, no loft conversion and very stressed family.

 

[catlad]

I don,t know any decent construction company that would ask for the money before they have finished the job. alarm bells should start ringing if that happens.

 

[Timas]

Well The Loft Company is definitely a scam company now in liquidation. Just found out from the liquidators that the carpenter who was working for the company has been telling the liquidators that we were not allowing them to do the work, use our toilet and refusing them entry to the property. The liquidators have then told us that the company has done the same before. Is there anyone I can talk to about this company and to prevent it happening to anyone else. We still have scaffolding up around the house, I called the scaffolding company today to ask them to take down the scaffolding and they didn't even know that tlc had gone into liquidation... No longer a happy scaffolding company either.

 

[Blueeyedgirl21]

I used to work for a loft conversion company, and when we sent out the initial paperwork there was an insurance form included that you could take out that would protect you from this sort of thing. If the company went bust whilst carrying out your work for the price of a few quid they would guarantee that it would be completed by one of their recommended contractors. Did you not get anything like that in your start up pack? I hope for your sake that you did

 

[JohnD]

how much does a company usually try to get you to pay, to protect against them going bust? I imagine they earn commission on your payment.

any company that suggested they were about to go bust, I would throw out.

Paying by credit card or certain loans can give you protection.