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Original poster

Shed Ombudsman?

20 replies

PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 07/01/2021 09:57

Does anyone know if there is any sort of Ombudsman for sheds?

We're having an absolute nightmare with our shed that was installed at the beginning of December. Obviously being in lockdown + following the Chrismtas break isn't helping, but the company have been trying to get out of any sort of fixes before that all happened anyway.

It's badly installed and we can't even open the doors any more - if they are opened they won't close either and there are so many more issues all either build or installation related. Including they supplied and installed incorrect parts on the day.

We did manage to put the stuff we'd had out of the old shed back into the new one on the day they installed it, but now we just can't access any of it and there's no indication when we will be able to do so.

The people I've mentioned it too keep saying 'get in touch with the shed ombudsman' but can't provide any more details than that and I've not been able to find one when I google - am I missing something?

Is there anyone we can escalate this to?
thanks for any help in advance.

OP posts:
fairydustandpixies · 07/01/2021 10:08

Could you try Trsding Standards?

fairydustandpixies · 07/01/2021 10:09

Trading!!! Damn phone...

LIZS · 07/01/2021 10:13

You need to formally complain to the installer and give them time to rectify.Are they a supplier or did you arrange the purchase and installation separately. If wooden , damp weather may well cause swelling and sticky doors.

Ariela · 07/01/2021 10:26

Complain in writing to the supplier and list the faults.
Give them dates to look at it, and a reasonable time to complete.
Failing that Trading Standards

Laffinalltheway · 07/01/2021 10:39

Wasn't a Palram shed by any chance was it?

Pigeonsareclever · 07/01/2021 10:46

I had a bad experience with a company beginning with S. I posted an honest online review and got a partial resolution but have never heard of a shed ombudsman.
I hope you get it sorted as it’s infuriating when companies get away with treating customers so badly.

FAQs · 07/01/2021 10:46

Write to them listing the faults, add photos, give them a reasonable time to reply, give them three option, remove the shed and refund, repair or replace, failure to respond within your deadline will result in pre Court protocol via the small claims Court of which they will incur any Court and associated fees.

Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 07/01/2021 11:06

Thanks everyone.

We paid the deposit with an agent at a garden centre and then the balance to the shed builders and installers.

I have sent them and email with a list of faults and over 40 pictures of the issues. I didn't know I had to give them a deadline though, so haven't done that. They've not responded yet but I know they've only reopned this week, so not expecting a reply just yet.

They were supposed to come within the next 2 weeks to replace the bits that they incorrectly supplied but were already trying to get out of it when we were in tier 3 so assume lockdown will mean they won't come out at all, which just means an indefinite amount of time with us not being able to access our stuff.

It wasn't a Palram shed. The one we went for has got nearly all good reviews everywhere (a couple not 100% but apparently sorted easily) so I'm not sure whether we've just had really bad luck with them.

I would have assumed damp too re the door, but it started playing up within 1 day of the installation until now it's completely unusable. None of the hinge screws are countersunk properly either and we can't tighten them as they just spin.

Our electrician came and put the electrics in the day after they installed it so we can't really let them take it down and refund us without having an issue with that too.

They painted it for us as well, in their factory, and it's the worst paint job I have ever seen. It cost us more than it would have done to get 1/2 the rooms in the house painted and it's such a bad job.

They just don't seem to care, which is the most frustrating thing.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 07/01/2021 11:17

There is not an ombudsman just for sheds. Ombudsmen deal with all sorts of problems. 1. Write formal letter of complaint to installers, include photos showing problems, stating clearly what problems are and what you want them to do for resolution. If they fail to reply or rectify. 2. Write to Trading Standards. 3. Small claims court. 4. Ombudsman.

Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 07/01/2021 11:25

@caringcarer

There is not an ombudsman just for sheds. Ombudsmen deal with all sorts of problems. 1. Write formal letter of complaint to installers, include photos showing problems, stating clearly what problems are and what you want them to do for resolution. If they fail to reply or rectify. 2. Write to Trading Standards. 3. Small claims court. 4. Ombudsman.
I did think it was odd, but so many people said it to me as if it was the obvious thing to do I was wondering whether I'd misunderstood how these sorts of things worked.

As per my previous post I have written a formal complaint to them and sent through the photos and so am waiting for a response. I'm glad to know we're doing the right thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 11/01/2021 15:28

Just as an update, the company aren't going to come out to do anything with the shed while we're in lockdown - just had the confirmation of that today.

Do I just have to leave it and wait for them to be able to book us in at some point in the future. We can't get into the shed at all, so can't access anything in there, which we will need to do soonish. I suppose this would count as them not being able to rectify the issue through no fault of their own, rather than them ignoring us?

OP posts:
HidingFromDD · 11/01/2021 16:53

I’d get a friend to ring them asking for a shed installation to see if they’re just using covid as an excuse. If they confirm that they can then install a new one (which I strongly suspect they will) I’d send a final email saying get her and fix it by end of next week or you’ll start court proceedings

Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 12/01/2021 17:19

Ah no, it seems they're not doing deliveries where you have to go through the house, rather than having side/rear access to the garden. I do understand but it's very frustrating.

They're just not acknowledging anything is wrong and don't seem to care. I did talk to Consumer Advice yesterday who say we've got a case to go further with it. I am just waiting to see what the company say next as they're supposed to get back in touch with a new date to book in.

OP posts:
LIZS · 12/01/2021 17:23

If you need access could you unscrew the door hinges?

alienspiderbee · 12/01/2021 17:25

The people I've mentioned it too keep saying 'get in touch with the shed ombudsman'

I'd think people are taking the piss because they think you've gone on about it a lot tbh if they're saying that

Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 12/01/2021 17:32

@LIZS

If you need access could you unscrew the door hinges?
We can probably have a go. One of the issues is none of the screws are countersunk properly and are just spinning, so might be easy to take out. I'm not sure how much we can do to it without them saying we've invalidated the warranty.
OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 12/01/2021 17:34

Have they got a social media presence? If they have then post something on their public page.

Original poster
PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 12/01/2021 17:34

@alienspiderbee

The people I've mentioned it too keep saying 'get in touch with the shed ombudsman'

I'd think people are taking the piss because they think you've gone on about it a lot tbh if they're saying that

It's been 2/3 people, my DM, DF and MIL. But if you mean I've got about it too much on here then apologies. I'm grateful for everyone's help and will keep on going through the process as we currently are.
OP posts:
Sethy38 · 12/01/2021 17:35

Not the right time as they can simply say

We are not visiting due to covid or we don’t think you’re covid compliant etc etc

Document everything. In writing that the end result is not what you paid for.

And the after lockdown, if they still do not come out and rectify, they don’t have a leg to stand on

alienspiderbee · 12/01/2021 17:39

But if you mean I've got about it too much on here then apologies.

No, not at all, but I'd assume anyone making those comments might think that, because it sounds like a sarcastic response to me.

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