Bricks and Pieces

Contacted Bricks and Pieces due to their excellent feedback on trade sites. First had a telephone call with Paul and was informed they invoice me £495 for a design consultation and 3D mapping of the property. During the telephone call I was told it would take two weeks to complete this process and then we move onto stage two actual submission of plans for approval, this was a simple rear bedroom extension. I received an invoice the day before their visit which had to be paid before they visit the property. On the day of the visit the 3D planner arrived but Paul didn't show up as he was too busy with other customer !!! After contacting Bricks and Pieces a number of time, Paul eventually turned up for the design consultation this last 10mins, was more interest in the best way to get home from my property and said we have all of your measurement etc so I get something to you. A week later I still had not received a reply (2nd week since visit) therefore I can and asked what was happening, their designer returned my call any haven't even start work on the design after a 15min phone call he understood what we wanted, they did not offer any advise regards if any improvements could be made, a week later (3rd week) I received drawings (after I chased up for them) and asked for some modifications which was to be fair done within the same day. (the drawings/plans were no different to what you receive from an estate agency) certainly not what I was expecting or what Paul said I would receive, The final part of this stage was to receive a ball park figure for the work to ensure it was within our budget, fast work three weeks and a number of calls and this still hasn't been sent. I was first told he forget to send this, which I believe means he completed this but hasn't emailed it. I contacted the office again informing this it still hasn't been sent and even gave them both my work and personal email address, still haven't received the quote. It going without saying I certainly not be using them for any further work as they are quick at taking your money but very slow to none existing regards the work they want to do for it, avoid at all costs.

I came across Bricks & Pieces on an internet search and found what I read on their internet page very interesting as I have never been involved in home extension work before. Paul visited our property with colourful brochures and delivered an excellent sales pitch, telling us how busy they were and that we will be the last clients they will be taking on because they are so busy. It was all very encouraging. Our project was a single storey extension at the rear following the demolition of an existing extension. The proposed design looked good and we were full of excitement however, once planning was accepted we didn't hear anything for months. The lack of communication became fairly stressful and the excitement and talk of the new extension began to diminish. Pauline and Cheryl were excellent at responding to my emails but Paul did not respond to any, it was as if he was not interested. Naively I paid for the ' gold service ' which included finding the right builder at the right price. When Paul started to discuss information we had settled on two months previous I realised how gullible I had been as our project had obviously been put on the back burner. Once I cut my losses I decided to find a builder on a reputable website that finds quality local tradespeople, reviewed by other homeowners. Ironically Bricks & Pieces were one of the first to respond to my advertisement, needless to say they were swiftly rejected. I'm writing this review in the comfort of my new extension and will be leaving my builder responsible for it all another glowing five star review. I recommend you don't make the same mistake as me and pay for any optional additional services, its not needed, there are plenty of tradespeople out there who will take an interest in your project and make sure it runs smoothly.