How much work in a whole week?

Because hardly any work has taken place the last few weeks besides the brick work, (more below) I thought it was time for another blog post.

Well I have not mentioned this before specifically, but seriously, how long does it take to build a house? A small house mind you! It is absolutely ridiculous and pathetic that my house is still at the stage that it is considering that the house across the road is further ahead than mine and it started weeks after!

All they have done this past week is add the aircon piping which I hate! It’s in the wrong spot!! I was shown the display and it was on another wall. What the hell is it doing over the kitchen bench?? Think I will have to call sometime this week to ask about it. While I’m on the phone about that maybe I should also ask about the wonky wall.

In regards to the brickwork, the wall to the second bedroom in the kitchen courtyard tapers up and inwards. Very crappy workmanship!

What else is there?

For example: (and I’m sure that some of these will be fixed in time but it would be nice to be told)

• I still don’t have a roof over the lower part of my house!

• My electrical work has been in the elements for weeks

• My neighbours windows and doors have been on my garage floor (off the ground by and inch) for ages

• My dishwasher point has not been changed even though it was mentioned to my SS

• My shower head height has still not moved, (as per a conversation with my SS in regards to the mixer for the shower mixer being in the wrong spot, as a compromise I asked for my shower head height to be raised as I am 185cm or so tall)

• I still have concerns about general workmanship with the frame that I hope will be fixed as work progresses (I have similar concerns about other places in the street)

• My front tap is still leaking

• I can’t remember the name of it, but there is a sign that should be at the front of every property with contact details? The company originally supplied it. Every time I put it up it gets taken down. If it’s not up I get a $1000 fine. Well if I get one I know where to send it.




And just to add to the list for something to do:

• I, (as far am I’m concerned) was bullied into paying an invoice despite the fact that work had not taken place as discussed. I paid it in the end in good faith and it still took around a week after that for some things to be fixed. I’m sure if I had gotten an independent inspection or two then things may have been different. I may still get them as the build progresses. I have family and friends that are qualified to do them and it just so happens that they also work for several different councils.

• I have been called pedantic by my SS

• I have been told that “Everyone is an expert” by someone in the company in a position to know better. Meanwhile this was against advice I took from someone who was a chippy for 50+ years up until last year.

• I have specifically been told “No” by my client liaison, (not her real title)

• My first experience with my sales consultant was fantastic, and they were flexible because of issues with my bank. After that it went downhill except for a few Client liaison people that were fantastic. Unfortunately they no longer do that role I think.

I’d just like to say this:

I have worked in customer service and client liaison roles before and overall I am disappointed with the company I am building with. I know, and understand that it can be the contractors that they use that create this disappointment, but it is the responsibility of the company to control this and manage it in an effective manner. To this end, I am concerned that the people that have been working on my house and those of the people in my street have a long way to go before I would employ them in any role.

If I was offered a role with the company I know for a fact that I could improve their perceived lack of customer service within a year. I have done it for other companies in the past and I could do it again. I have taken a local company store from a dissatisfaction rate of 90% in a survey to only 4%. It’s not that hard, just common sense.

Customer service 101:

Lesson one:
Never, ever say no!

Lesson two:
The customer may not always be right, but they have a right to think they are. They pay your wages.

Lesson three:
Customer contact and support is paramount to the success of any business. Without it you lose in the long run.

More lessons to follow if they don’t improve!