Great Southern Property Maintenance

I contracted Heath Gillett to refurbish my bathroom.



He presented his company as a high-end professional building company, who only employ highly skilled craftsmen and use only the best materials and “do it right”.



The work that they did for me was below my expectations and I found working with Heath Gillett problematic.



The reasons are:

1) Sash Window Damaged:

When they ripped out the old bathroom, they failed to use any coverings to protect the window. The sash window was new and handmade using traditional joinery methods. I was very upset when I saw the damage that they had done to it. The dirt from when the pulled out the old bathroom got between the sash and the sash box and then ground into the timber and sash cords. It was filthy all over and physical damage to the front timber was visible. Heath Gillett was unconcerned; he just said they would paint over it. After painting over it, I could still see black dirt underneath, so they didn’t even bother to clean it before painting. Then they just put another coat of paint on top to cover it up.



2) Scratch on Bathtub:

I noticed a scratch on my new bathtub. When I asked Heath Gillett about it, he told me that it was probably there already, but I had seen his men using the bathtub as storage for their tools (before it was installed).



3) Poor Quality Cupboard:

The cupboard they fitted did not have a door, when I asked Heath Gillett why the cupboard did not have a door; he said that I did not tell him that it should have a door. I gave him a sketch beforehand to illustrate the shelving inside; a door was not drawn on the sketch because it was not the point of the sketch, which was simply to illustrate the shelves – Heath Gillett made reference to the sketch not having a door. He charges me extra for the door.



Then the door did not close properly, a sizable gap can be seen between the cupboard door when closed. Heath Gillett just said it’s because the cupboard is too tall.



4) Electric Socket in Airing cupboard:

There was an electric socket attached to the inside of the airing cupboard, which they unscrewed in order to rebuild the airing cupboard sides. They did not reattach the electric socket; they just left it hanging there. It looked dangerous to me. When I asked Heath Gillett about this, he just said it wasn’t part of the job spec. to put it back.



This is a serious failure, he left an electric socket in a dangerous state, and did not inform me, and was unconcerned, just saying that it wasn’t included in the job spec.



5) Extractor Fan and external cover:

The extractor fan was making a popping sound when it was windy outside. This was caused by the back draught shutter within the unit being blown open in strong winds. Heath Gillett said it was the External Cover outside, but this was impossible because he had used a cheap external cover that did not have any moving parts.



The problem was solved when the back draught shutter was removed as I had suggested.



Heath Gillett demonstrated a lack of thinking, understanding and basic intellect.



6) Potentially dangerous Electrical Installation

I employed an Electrician to carry out and an Electrical Safety check on my property. They found that the light switch which had a metal plate was not earthed. This is dangerous. I’m not certain but possibly the person who fitted the new light switch was the same person who did the joinery and decorating. Not a qualified electrician.