Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WIBU to make a complaint

6 replies

Binkyridesagain · 30/08/2013 13:34

about the designer of my new extension?

A little bit of background first. We were granted a Disability facilities grant which has been used to build an extension at the rear of our property, we now have a new bedroom with ensuite and a new kitchen, as they knocked the old one down. We have contributed 40% of the build costs. The council employ a property management company to design and over see the building of these projects and we become their client and the liaise between us and the builders.

Since this project started I have had nothing but problems with the designer's lack of communication, failure to adhere to disabled access regulations, refusal and then denial of OT recommendations, refusal to liaise between myself and the builders, refusal to let me see the specifications.

*he has failed to notify me of 2 changes to start dates.
*he has failed to notify me of appointments involving OT.
*he has failed to notify me of changes/cancelled appointments
*OT made various recommendations on requirements for my DD and he has only done 2, then has denied the recommendations were ever said.
*he has designed a ramp for a wheelchair user that covers approx. 18 metres with 4x90 angles, that isn't wide enough for a chair to make the turns and has obstacles in the way (soil stack) and has no turning circles, hand rails or landings so the external doors cannot be used.
*I made one complaint about the builders instead of him dealing with it (as he previously stated all complaints must go through him) he passed the email on to the builders and made no mention of it to me again. And will go out of his way to avoid talking to me, the builders have picked up on this.
*The spec doesn't match the drawings and the building doesn't match the spec or the drawings. (I have had to sneek looks at the spec)
*I have had to redesign my kitchen because he refused to provide new drawings after a major wall moved 6in causing an access issues.

The list can get so much bigger, handles that cannot be used be a person with limited mobility in their hand, refusal to reinstate things because they are not on the spec.

I have a bloody good extension, the builders have done a fantastic job but I am left with a building that the wheelchair user cannot get out of as we have no ramp, wiring that I have to do myself because he hasn't put it on the spec, I have to make applications for money to cover things that should have been put on the spec originally.

I am so stressed because of this one man and worried that he could cause this much stress to a vulnerable person WIBU to complain to the council about him?

OP posts:
Hawkmoth · 30/08/2013 13:39

No. Complain. Councils can't afford to be subcontracting to knobbers like this. They should act on your behalf to get things sorted.

colleysmill · 30/08/2013 13:54

I think that yes you most definately should.

For one thing you haven't got the access needed into the extension and two if he isn't following the specific recommendations then they need to know.

It could be argued that boils down to misuse of public funds.

Binkyridesagain · 30/08/2013 14:00

I hadn't thought about the misuse of public funds, I wonder mmmm.

He has made out that the ramp issue is down to me changing my mind, the OT 15months ago said it was not acceptable and that there is a suitable alternative, he refused to act on it,also he said he didn't know about the regulations when questioned by the builders, which as a designer of disabled access I believe he should know the regs inside out and upside down.

OP posts:
primallass · 30/08/2013 14:25

Definitely complain, what a useless idiot he sounds. Having first-hand experience of the council paying contractors ludicrous amount of money, I bet he is getting paid very well too.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 30/08/2013 14:27

Definitely complain!!!

deebeeandboys · 30/08/2013 21:33

Complain.

We're in the process of having an extension done through a DFG and it's been the community OT's that have caused problems with us, because we previously complained about OT's/ SSD and they tried to fob us off (looong story).

My dh has been told he only needs one accessible exit Hmm because 'he'll probably spend all his time in the extension'. Er, no he won't, it's only a bedroom and wet room! But they also tried to ignore that you can't (and this is their words) legally charge a powerchair in a bedroom- then admitted they knew that (we didn't know- we currently charge it in the tiny hall or our minibus with the wire out the window to it). Felt like they were trying to make us agree to anything, because they'd pushed us to the point of being desperate.

We're just waiting for permission to build by a sewer now, then they'll start- supposed to be finished by Christmas! Can't be done soon enough!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread