Would not recommend

I hired this contractor to renovate a garage into a bedsitter for my ageing mother. In hindsight there were early warning signs: incomplete measurements and a quote that bundled labour and materials with limited detail. I provided a conceptual scope-of-work diagram (not an architectural document) and paid a deposit of R100,000.

Issues experienced:

Timekeeping and site conduct: The team typically arrived around 10:00 and left around 15:00, and the site was left messy (including food waste/bones that my dogs almost choked on).

Workmanship and errors: A dividing wall was built to incorrect measurements. A window opening was made larger than required and additional bricks I had purchased were used to correct this. The aluminium door was adjusted for tile clearance, but it still sc****s the tiles. I also experienced cracking plaster and window openings that needed rework to fit properly.

Materials / credits: I was told the quote included a bath and tiles, but the day before starting I was asked to buy these myself if we wanted specific items and was told I would be credited/refunded. I did not receive a credit or refund for these quoted items.

Communication: When I raised concerns, communication became difficult and I experienced the interaction as confrontational.

After these issues, I ended the project. Given the stage of completion and the rework required, I believe a partial refund of the deposit would have been fair and reasonable. Instead, I received an invoice that included charges such as “future lost wages” and amounts I dispute, including items/materials I did not see delivered on site.

I attempted to resolve this directly and requested a refund, without success. I also could not verify NHBRC registration (no proof of NHBRC registration was provided when requested), which raised further concerns. At the time, my mother was in hospital and I did not have the capacity to pursue the matter further, but I intended to address it through formal channels.

This review relates to the original project in October 2024. After receiving correspondence from the company alleging defamation and indicating an intention to sue, I have edited my wording to ensure this review reflects only what I personally experienced and can substantiate. I’m sharing this so other customers can make informed decisions based on a real project outcome.