At the end of the day the kitchen looks pretty good. However, I didn't get some of the features I wanted. Custom kitchen doesn't mean custom kitchen apparently. In addition, I was really frustrated by water damage that was caused by a plan modification that I specifically asked them not to do. (I have an old roof so we agreed to duct the range hood exhaust to the old piping.) Instead they moved the exhaust and the roof leaked. 4k in repairs. I was also charged about 1k in callbacks for fixes I felt were necessary. Finally, I agreed to do the painting myself on the company's recommendation. It should have been explained to me that the painter is responsible for sanding new drywall, patching holes in walls and sealing the baseboard (among other things). This is my fault for not knowing more but it was still a pain in the ass.
Another thing was that there was a noticeable lack of site management. I was told that the company owners had some personal emergencies for which I am sympathetic, BUT there was needless argueing about features I wanted changed or didn't like. ANY change was really hard to get put in. Changes that probably wouldn't have been necessary if I had received the final image rendering I repeatedly asked for but didn't get. To be fair I did receive a copy of the plans but I'm not a builder so when they made changes to the design to make things work I wasn't aware of the visual impact. This goes back to the custom kitchen issue.
Finally, in the future I'm going to insist that anyone I hire be a single point of contact. When something went wrong I thought I could call James kitchens. No, that issue was the builder's responsibility who then referred me to the tradie etc etc.. The end result was that a couple of the sub-jobs were done in the easiest or fastest way possible. "Fixing" it up was always the next guys responsibility. I heard that way too many times on this project. Hence the 3 stars.
Response from James:
It has come to our attention that you have left a 3star Google Review. We strive to ensure that our clients feel they want to leave a 5star review so we ask that you kindly respond to the below so we can address your concerns where James Kitchens has failed to provide you with the service you believe you should have recieved.
1- What features did you want that you didn't get?
2- The plumber explained to you that your "existing ducting" was just a pipe into the ceiling. Please explain how you wanted us to re-use that?
3- Please provide evidence of the $4k in roof repairs and advise how that is the fault of James Kitchens. You have already been shown photos that the leak was in a different spot that where your ducting went through.
4- Please elaborate on the $1k in call backs for fixes.
5- Please explain your comment regarding "Fixing it up was the next guys responsibility.
My re-response:
Glad to hear you're looking to improve.
1) I asked on day #1 for a recessed tap for the fridge water. When the piping went in I then re-expressed to **** directly that I wanted a recessed tap and was again told that this was not a problem. Then on completion of the non-recessed wall tap I was told that all extra features would be billed additionally.
2) The "existing roof port was a pipe? I don't see how that is a problem. You can attach duct tubing to a pipe with duct tape. In any case, I should have been made aware of the change in plan regardless. I would have agreed but as I have had problems with my roof tiles and I would have had the opportunity to tell the plumber to use silicon sealant. He used nothing.
3) The damage "next to" the roof work is a huge load of ****. I sort of expected the plumber to give me that line but I'm really surprised that you are entertaining it. It hasn't leaked there for 30 years and it leaks the 1st rainstorm after roof work was done? In addition, "next to" was also down the "slope of" my roof, and water has been known to flow downhill. It is also NOT TURE that the area directly under the piping was not also wet. It just "pooled" about 18 inches downslope of the roof port. THE AREA UNDER THE ROOF PORT was also wet. I'm happy to provide you with the re-work quote for my ceiling if you commit to paying for it. Otherwise please just do a better job in the future.
4) You are correct that the $1000 in additional charges over the quote may not have been for call backs. The invoices says they are for trades so I just assumed that was what it was for. If not then please do a better job on your initial estimates. For confirmation please refer to you final invoice. Expectation was for $2400 and bill was for $3400
5) "Fixing was the next guys responsibility" This refers several items.
a. The holes in the walls left by the electricians were to be fixed by the builders
b. The drywall sanding was to be done by the painter
c. The board trim and nail fill and sealing was also to be done by the painter
d. The loose electrical sockets was to be fixed by the splashback read more
