Following on some excellent work by my electrician, it was time to redecorate the hall, landing, stairs and bedrooms. Most competent tradesmen would square this away in a month – allowing for drying time. Sadly A1-Star took 9 months and finally stopped responding to my messages – but not before they took almost £5,500.

If you’ve read my blog you’re probably asking yourself, seriously? Again? you’re either the world most unlucky, or stupidest person going. – maybe… Let’s see.

Decorstruction

The Year of Optimism – 2016

Way back when I had a simple idea; I’d like the hall & landing to be re-plastered and decorated. My theory was, let’s start with the boxroom and see where we go. If those play out well, I’d like to continue on to the bedrooms.

Tradesmen after tradesmen. Dubious suggestions, or insane lead-times. After a while the now defunct A1 Star Decorating and Construction.

Tye Harber of Sladegreen and his builders mate Jay Eastwood arrived. They took a look at the boxroom, hall and landing.

I made the massive error of commenting on the quality of doors on their Facebook profile. Tye [Tyrone] Harber was eager to provide a quote – and I was ignorant enough to accept it.

Eclipsed by A1-Star

Shut the door when you leave

Jay & Tye decided it would a be good idea to start by fitting the doors first – before the plasterwork. As it turns out this is a terrible idea – untreated wood draws in plaster dust, and any paint work – but who cares to a cowboy.

Oddly enough the door hanging went fairly well – doors looked pretty good. Sadly as any decent tradesmen would do, they didn’t bother to dot the T’s or cross the I’s. The keeps and frames were rushed – damaging the frames and generally leaving a piss poor job.

Call me Mr Wickes 

Let’s fast forward. A1-Star started with the box room. A very common 3x4m space usually reserved for your dusty treadmill, or the first born.

It probably wont surprise you to learn these idiots didn’t bother turning up with the right tools – or in-fact any tools – except themselves. After listening to this moron curse for a few hours I suggested he borrow my steamer (error) – no thanks or otherwise as he snapped it away from me.

Later that day he walked out. Leaving my steamer covered in detritus and a damaged pressure valve – fantastic. I’m absolutely furious.

…To be continued…

In short/tl;dr

1. Jay Eastwood (Blackheath)
2. Tye Harber  (Erith)
3. Bill Harber (Erith)

Avoid at all costs.