Anyone used Econoloft?

[InmyheadIminParis]

We're going to convert our loft early next year and we've asked a nation-wide company called Econoloft to prepare a quote.

Has anyone used this company? I'd love to hear how it worked out.

Once they heard our ridge height was only 2.2 metres they weren't even interested in quoting. Fair enough. A ceiling was lowered in the end....

Thanks Dukes - we've got the height, luckily. I'd love to know if anyone has any positive or negative things to say about them.

Has anyone else had any experience of them?

bump

Hi, we used them in the summer of 2008 for our loft extension. They were very prompt in doing the quote and started (and finished) when they said they would.
We had a large(ish) conversion which gave us a large bedroom and a study.
Their carpenter Matthew was excellent. He was extremely professional and liased with all the other trades and co-ordinated everything.
I would highly recommend the firm and particularly Matthew to undertake your job

Thanks so much for that - that's so good to know. Which part of the country are you in? (if we're in the same part I'll ask for Matthew).
Thanks again, mumoverseas.

Hi Inmyhead, we are in West Sussex. Matthew lives/lived in Brighton but his team (assistant/plumbers/plasterer etc) came from all over. I seem to recall him saying that they would travel down and stay local to where they were working so am pretty sure they will work almost anywhere.
I have lived through a two storey extension (12 week build job which actually completed in week 26), a conservatory and the loft conversion when I had just found out I was pregnant and have to say the loft conversion was the least stressful as Matthew was so nice, friendly and basically ran everything. Although he was the chippie, he managed the whole project. Am pretty sure I have his mobile number on my UK phone (am abroad at the moment) so will have a look later and see if I can find his surname for you. If you can get him managing it, I would expect it to run very smoothly.

mumoverseas that's so kind of you. Thank you. We're on the Cambs/Beds boarder - so probably a bit too far away, but it might be worth checking, just in case.

Hi, I wouldn't be suprised if you weren't too far away. I'm pretty sure the plasters and electrician lived miles away, up north somewhere and I'm sure they were staying at the boss's flat near London whilst they worked down South. Am sure Matthew said how pleased he was to have a 'local' job. I think the job after us was over Middlesex way.
You never know, worth a phone call. Good luck

:) Before embarking on our loft conversion we thoroughly researched five companies and Econoloft came out on top for all aspects of the building process. The quote is competitive. We have not incurred any unseen costs. We are currently a 'building site' and hope to finish in a week's time. I would highly recommend Matthew Doherty (joiner) and his sidekick Ezra. Professional, friendly, approachable and honest, they involve us in making choices and keep us up to date with the day's developments. Matthew is an effectively site-manager and liaises with the other teams; electrician, plummer and plasterer to ensure that all jobs follow smoothly. At the end of the working day Ezra effectively clears the working area. Disruption is kept to a minimum. So, yes I would recommend Econoloft. :)

Thats the one! Matthew Doherty. He is lovely, please send him my regards. I'm sure he will remember me (and my crazy neighbour who used to shout at him when he was sitting on the roof)

We used Econoloft about 6 years ago and they were brilliant. We have a fabby loft conversion with two huge rooms now one of which is a second sitting room that DS retreats to go on the xbox in peace! The whole process was fairly painless and I hardly noticed that the joiners were there until they broke through the ceiling to put in the stairs (that bit is fairly messy). We did have some rude plasterers that I complained about and Econoloft said they were new subcontractors that they wouldn't use again. We're in Hertfordshire.

Waves to mumoverseas I haven't seen you on here for a bit.

I Would recomend Econoloft everytime!!

We were also very lucky to have Matt & Ezra complete our conversion and I would agree they are great guys!!

Our conversion was completed a week before our second child was born. I would not normally recomend starting a conversion so close to your due date but Matt, the office team & other trades made it stress free.

They arrived 7.45am every day and always left the house clean and tidy which is what you need when you also have 4yr old running around.

We got a 3 or 4 quotes but Econoloft did come out best.

Would anyone who has used them mind giving an idea of the cost, maybe per sqm? We are thinking ahead - wouldn't be looking at doing anything for at least 5 yrs but a saving-goal would be useful!

So glad to hear that you have all liked Matthew and Ezra's work on your home. Matthew is my partner and we are expecting our first baby....can't believe I have found all these comments about him on mumsnet! So funny! :o

Shame they don't work in south Wales, I'm on the lop out for a good loft company

Overall delighted with our dormer loft conversion by Econoloft.

What we liked: helpful yet not pushy salesman; fair price and very clear contract so knew what was and was not included; excellent and efficient written and verbal communications with office staff; flexibility to vary design details prior to project start and also as project progressed ? felt the company was on our side; builder (and his team) gained our confidence very quickly: pro-active, excellent listener to our wishes, accommodated all our changes to the original design and offered design improvements as the project progressed. Nothing seemed too much to do, or even undo, in terms of changes we wanted too make; excellent standard of workmanship by builders; loved the fact that I was able to dovetail my own efforts into the project (eg plumbing and electrics, design and supply of own glass balustrade for the outside, sourcing and supplying own metal framed doors and windows).

Anything negative? Yes, unfortunately, but must stress that positives far outweigh the negatives, giving a score of 9 out of 10. Here are the negatives: damage to plaster on neighbour?s side of party wall eventually repaired, but much higher priority should have been given to repairing this quickly; resin roof and wet bathroom was done by Econoloft roofer who needed to take much more care to keep the permanently setting liquid resin off unwanted surfaces such as walls, shower outlet, and even our staircase carpet. Some broken roof tiles also as a result of careless manoeuvres by roofer or his assistant. Finally, builder proved difficult to contact for the final 5% of the work, prior to completion certificate being issued by buildings control company. I had to buy some insulation and complete some essential work myself before the completion certificate could be issued.

These negatives may sound alarming, but I must stress again that taking everything into account and in context I would award a final score of 9 out of 10.

We can honestly say we have ended up with a final product that has exceeded our expectations in terms of design, features, natural light, and maximisation of space.

Highly recommended!

try central london lofts they provide 10 year warranty to the labour and material. www.centrallondonoloft.co.uk. They are one of the loft conversion companies who provide affordable services

We have just had our loft done by Econoloft,following a recommendation from our neighbours.Our house has a 4 pitch roof,but even so we have 2 very light and airy rooms.They always arrived when they said they would,workmanship is to a very high standard,and is guaranteed for 10 years.Only negative;wish we had done it years ago.
Would recommend them to anyone looking to make use of their loft space.

I have looked at them, are they expensive?

not as far as I know, as I got quote from econoloft,trussloft, aboutloftss and central london loft, there is a 7 k difference between Econoloft who place a big quore and central londonloft

LiPea, how lovely and funny to find your other half raved about on here - if I didn't have a loft conversion already I'd be tempted to have one just so I could meet Matthew

Best of luck with your new baby.

Econoloft quoted me the best price and their design was unique and utilised all of the space, I was very happy with the work done in time allocated, shame i never met matthew tho' !!

Hi - we used Econoloft very recently for our loft conversion and are absolutely thrilled to bits. Adam and Jim, the head joiners were fantastic, always respectful of our house, answered my hundreds of questions on my ever growing list and their finish is superb. I can honestly say we had no problems during the build, and everything ran to time. We made some changes as the build went on and that was not a problem in anyway, and the plumber and electrician were also fantastic too and again not one single. I would absolutely recommend them without a shadow of a doubt and happy to show anyone round who wants to look at their finish (we are in Beckenham, Kent). We felt we really got value for money and that what they promised they really delivered on.

TracyGriffin - will take up your offer as we live in the Beckenham area too - we're waiting for a revise quote from Econoloft, hopefully by the end of this week, so once we have it can we come round and have a look?