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Original poster

Builder needed for a loft conversion in Tunbridge Wells

20 replies

RachelElise · 16/08/2012 21:44

Hello all,

We are having a loft conversion done in our Victorian house in central TW - hoping for next summer if we can save enough... Can anyone recommend a building firm or individual builder who has experience doing lofts and doing them well!!??

Any advice much appreciated - thank you helpful Mumsnetters!
R

OP posts:
mycatoscar · 30/08/2012 08:12

Hi, my husband is a builder (mainly carpentry) he does loft extensions amongst other things. We are in t wells and I'm sure he would be happy to come and advise you and can provide references from happy customers.

mycatoscar · 30/08/2012 08:13

Sorry, should have said PM me if you'd like to speak to him.

PanicMode · 02/09/2012 15:50

Space Invaders seem to have done most of our neighbours' ones - all seem happy!

GoingBlankAgain · 02/09/2012 15:52

Loving the name!

Alison20 · 29/08/2017 21:29

I had very bad experience with space invaders. I had to spend thousands putting my house right again and get a construction engineer and architects in.

Valuedopinion · 30/08/2017 12:13

No, please don't use space invaders, we have several friends in TWells who have had very bad experiences with them.
The bad reviews seem to get deleted.

KoalasAteMyHomework · 30/08/2017 17:20

Think this is a thread from 2012!

Panicmode1 · 30/08/2017 17:58

Yes, V old thread, and I wouldn't make the same recommendation if I were being asked for it now....!

Alison20 · 30/08/2017 18:33

Yes sorry it is old. I guess I have been so traumatised by whole experience this mention just forced me into action as I know I can't take them to court now. I couldn't find anything else on them when I googled out of curiosity. I made my first two posts so that people don't fall into same trap.

Panicmode1 · 30/08/2017 18:53

No problem - I think they over expanded too quickly and didn't monitor quality control..I do know people from 2012 who were happy, but not recently...they quoted for us many years ago, but gave me an absolutely bonkers price. When I said "you don't want the job, do you?", he said "nah, prefer untouched lofts" (we already have a third floor, it just needs reconfiguring) and it made me question his integrity - what if I'd said yes?!

Valuedopinion · 30/08/2017 19:37

Alison20 why can't you take them to court?
We did with our builders

Alison20 · 30/08/2017 20:06

Space Invaders Ltd went to insolvency as far as I can see. It is now technically called Space invaders loft Conversions ltd. I haven't fully checked but even if this didn't apply yet they could go bankrupt to avoid paying anything and I would be left with legal fees. I have all the evidence but was left with enormous debt . When I say traumatised I mean it too. It's hard to even think what you they put me through. I would like to say more but they would know who I was.

Valuedopinion · 31/08/2017 12:41

That's awful, the legal fees are not big if you do it yourself through small claims court, it's very straightforward but I understand that there is no point if already liquidated.

You could make a complaint to the insolvency service, I did this to someone who phoenixed a company three times in this way, the director was banned for eight years for holding any more director posts.

Small comfort but might be worth doing?

Alison20 · 31/08/2017 12:59

Sent a private message

GINAP1 · 03/11/2018 13:07

Hi, I read with interest the comments regarding Space Invaders Loft Co, as I am currently in the process of choosing a builder and they were the ones that I had chosen due to them having done a very successul conversion in my road, I know they did go bankrupt and have started again, I would be interested in any feedback, good or bad and reasons please, I really am in a quandry, I really can't take on any dodgy builders, I have had a terrible few years and just finally making headway with mine and my kids life. Many thanks for any help :)

Itslookinglikeabeautifulday · 09/11/2018 17:09

Hi GIPNAP, we used Mark Richards who trades as Richards Roofing. He was recommended by our architect for our large side extension as the roof was not straight-forward (apparently). I think he generally does loft extensions so it was quite a large project for him (doubled the footprint of our house, ground, first and second floor). I would certainly recommend him. Payments were made in stages, and always after the builders had done at least the payment amount of work (ie £12k paid after at least £12k work done) so we always felt safe (we were terrified of getting a dodgy builder). He was good at sorting out any hiccups and dealt with the building control visits. Always easy to get hold of if he wasn’t on-site. In short, a nice guy who treats people fair. He is based in Bearsted, Maidstone.

GINAP1 · 09/11/2018 20:25

Thank you for your help, I have emailed the company this evening so we will see what comes of it. Many thanks again.

alexaelliot · 28/11/2018 09:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JohnnyJohnno · 21/01/2019 17:41

We have just had ours finished in north Kent by Sapphire Building -Lewis Watts who was recommended to us- he just did the building and plastering and plumbing was separate. Lewis consulted building control at every stage to ensure all work met with regulations. I strongly suggest you go on a personal recommendation and if possible see a previous job

atedgemummy · 09/12/2024 19:09

i know this is quite old thread , i just got a quote from space invaders £75,000 ! i live in a normal 3 bed semi it be cheaper for me to move to a 4 bed detached . waiting for other quotes but that seemed bonkers

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