It seems in this day and age it doesn’t really matter how much due-diligence you carry-out with tradesmen, rogue builders somehow manage to pop-up like a weed.

Since moving to Bexley these people have slithered out of the woodwork to ply their dubious trade.

Let’s start with Frank Dunthy of unregistered All-Weather Roofing Erith (originally registered at 56 whitehall lane, Erith, Kent, DA8 2DN)

When I arrived in Bexley my house was dragging along a garage which had a leaking asbestos roof. I thought I’d try out RatedPeople (26/11/2014) . In theory genuine feedback from previous buyers coupled with responsive tradesmen should be great – no, not at all.

Frank was one of the first people who responded to my advert on RatedPeople.

I Inviting Frank to my home, he seemed a fair tradesmen looking to build his profile. He had a few references from the local area and provided a reasonable quote – I was eager to go ahead and get shot of my leaking roof.

I decided to give Frank a quick call to reassure myself that his quote was genuine, and he would do a good job. Here’s his invoice:

One evening I decided to do a bit more research on All-Weather-Roofing – nothing, nada. This company didn’t exist. I decided to give Frank a call, he’d be reasonable so far – maybe he can explain. He once again assured me that he was straight up and would do a good job. To his merit, him and his team got to work within the week.

Let’s fast forward a while, Frank is making excellent progress and asked for payment to cover his material costs. Fair enough I thought. I’ll pay him the initial cut. I wasn’t too concerned as I’d offered him the opportunity to carry out further works worth three much more than this gig. Turns out this was a major fail on my part.

A few days past and his team were carrying out works on my neighbours properly (ED: which I should add has been redone). Okay fair enough, I’ll wait a little longer – until….

Fantastic, water streaming through the area where they used a cheap flash band. Oh and that was against a rendered wall – good work. Great, the leak is now worse than it was before. Let’s give Frank a call.

…A few days later he arrives and come to “fix” his mistake. Rather than using lead or setting the roof into the rendering he threw some concrete on it. Fantastic, let’s have a look at his handy-work

Yes that’s right concrete. Let’s have a look inside

Yes, that’s a light fixture hanging by it’s cord surrounded by asbestos dust. It’s a damn shame I can’t find the pictures of all the asbestos he left. At this point Frank disappeared.

I spend a day and a half, by hand clearing and washing down all the Asbestos.

It was only when I left him “bad feedback” did he decided give me a me. I received multiple calls how I was “ruining his business”, I doubt he needs my help.

He was reported to Environmental Health, Bexley Council & Trading Standards.

[Update]

Despite Frank’s ten year guarantee, his concrete fixed failed leaking over some rather expensive equipment (thankfully it was fine).

A good friend of mine was able to rectify this bodge job in a few hours. This is how it should look

[Update 2]
Last name corrected in title.

It’s possible Frank is now trading as Weatherproof Roofing Services (Erith). I cannot confirm this yet. Please perform your own due diligence.

[Update 3]

Allegedly Frank is once again trading under a new firm, Southeast roofing

Who’d have thought there’s be a third week of nightmares on Bexley Watchdog. Green Planet Plumbing and Heating is under the spotlight tonight (abbreviated)

Looking for tradesmen, I’d much rather get a local engineer in than leave it to one of the high street names.

I originally brought in Green Planet and Heating. Based just around the corner from me, I asked them to quote for a major GCH upgrade worth around four grand. Initially I was quite impressed, Brian Meacock, the director spotted several far less intrusive route for my upgrade than his competitors. However, that introduction soon went south.

…Let’s fast forward…

…9 months rolls around since moving in. I receive my first water bill – it is literally multiples over my previous property – great. After moving into my new house, they’d failed to mention a rather substantial leak.

<insert Thames Water and various other investigations [we’ll pick this up later]>

Worried, as you can imagine I called Brian Meacock back. After a short time he confirmed the problem must be between the water main and the kitchen stop-cock, and quoted accordingly.

Fantastic I thought. Green Planet Plumbing and Heating know what they are doing so I agreed for them to carry out the job. Works started well, a new main was re-routed to kitchen. Took about a day, thank god that’s sorted…

Two weeks later, I took a measurement.

I’m wasting more water than before this all started.  I called Brian Meacock and he arrives quickly, he confirms despite his fix the leak must be between the stop cock and the main water meter. I call out Thames Water who arrived many weeks later, and tell me – no it must be inside.

I call Green Planet, but Brian Meacock was on holiday so I call Unitec. After a short quote, Scott [director] of Unitec shows up and diagnoses the problem – the lead pipe I asked Green Planet to replace during their fix has failed.  (if you’re not aware, lead was used for pipe work decades back, it’s has lasted through the years because it isn’t disturbed – unfortunately when it is touched or manhandled that seal is broken).

Turns out Green Planet Plumbing and Heating didn’t bother to repair roughly a foot of lead. After their works that tiny bit of lead was disturbed and breached almost immediately. That breach threw a heavy spray of water under my hall and living room damaging wall paper, floor boards and electrics.

Turns out Green Planet made three major errors.

1. “Confirmed” the leak was between the outdoor stockcock and the water meter
2. They had routed passed the outdoor stop cock and had not communicated that to Brian Meacock
3. Failing to accept any wrong-doing (See email)

I dropped Brian Meacock of Green Planet a simple email asking him to cover the cost of the remedial works (£100).  And this is how he responded

I suggest you avoid Green Planet Plumbing and Heating.

 

[Update]

After significant effort, Brian finally gave me the ~£100 I asked for leaving me with a salesmen apology, and significant damage to my hardwood, wall paper and skirting.

I’ve had several plumbers quote for more recent jobs, each and every one has quoted on how poor Green Planet’s work was.

With this that in mind, avoid – or if you’re brave, pay after the fact.

Months have now past. The Guardians – supplied by a private firm – have given us loud music, disruptive behavior and damaged property. The council, despite their string of failed attempts, wants to try again on Avenue Road in Erith – what do you think?

Despite a significant amount turmoil caused to local residents, Bexley Council are continuing to push forward with their plan to convert Homeleigh Care Home into temporary – two year – homeless shelter.

Back in May 2015 Bexley Council sprung a consultation upon the location community – failing to inform residents within even their own meager 150 meter radius. Given the subject matter, the council were already on the defensive. Met with a frustrated audience the answers were blunt, and telling. Each question was further complicated by council members arriving late, leaving early and mumbling profanity.

As you can imagine this meeting was not progressive, residents tell me several Freudian slips later the Bexley Council had dug their heels in. What I find particularly disappointing is the council had already confused or worst, lied on their own application.

Jane – an alias given the subject matter – tells me during the initial consultation a council a female Councillor explicitly stated a substantial number of residents would be employed. She explained those residents had worked hard but unfortunately become temporarily unstuck. Sadly this poignant problem was dismissed in their application. Instead they chose to back-peddle and reaffirm the communities concern by highlighting most residents will be unemployed.

As it would turn out these oversights spread somewhat wider. During the consultation a poignant question was raised, what security will be on site? The council representatives pronounced two members of staff would be on site at all times. What they failed to mention is they are not security staff.  

Local residents of Erith have independently shown their displeasure. 36 of 145~ (145 is unconfirmed) is an absolute spectacular turnout.

Share your thoughts with us on Thursday 10th September 2015 in the Council Chamber at the Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, starting at 7.30pm.

If you would like to read more, please see the latest Council update

“It should be noted that the planning department were not privy to any neighbor consultations or meetings prior to this submission.”

– Bexley Council failing to inform their own

 

Hello and welcome to the Bexley Watchdog. This blog will be a little different, I’ll be taking a deeper and darker look in and around Bexley to expose some of the unscrupulous tradesmen, hushed-up council plans and disrupted neighborhoods.

This is your opportunity to share you experiences, both good and bad in your community. If you’ve been ecstatic, frustrated or unfortunately struggling let us know.