Building Response London

Reviews

1. Matthew Wilson ★☆☆☆☆

   My experience with Building Response Limited / Water Damage - and with James de Miguel in particular - has been completely unsatisfying. The quick version - James is dismissive and patronising. The quality of work is terrible - in our case, simply painting over a ceiling that was riddled with black mould. He charges 2x or 3x the rate that other tradesmen we have since engaged. I strongly advise you to go somewhere else for your leak repairs. 1) What we were promised - for the price of £695 + VAT - a 3 hour trace and access survey, using cutting edge camera equipment to track the leak, and assess the amount of damage to the ceiling. A report which would then be appropriate to share with my insurer to help approve the works. What we got: 30 minutes. James Bashford - not James de Miguel - took a few photos on a (broken) iPhone. What little he said was caveated with “I’m not a plumber”. The report when it arrived had 2 obvious details wrong about the timeline of the leak, where James had not paid attention to what I'd told him. It also included the line "No risk of mould development” - despite the evident smell of damp. Its diagnosis of the core problem was later contradicted by a qualified plumber. 2 subsequent quotes arrived. One to replace a single valve at £510 plus VAT. And one for £1540 + VAT to restore the ceiling. (I contracted the plumber mentioned above who agreed to replace two valves for £250 inc. VAT. And I went ahead with the ceiling quote.) 2) What we were promised - ceiling restoration, cutting away and making good of any damaged material. What we got: A man who spoke no English arrived, armed only with a paintbrush and a small pot of white paint. He had no ladder, and no tools to sand and fill the ceiling - and didn’t have any dust sheets to cover up. James de Miguel apologised for the lack of professionalism, and promised a team would come round to provide him with the tools he needed. Unfortunately we were out of the house for the rest of the day - but I received messages from James saying that his team had personally inspected the works, and he was satisfied we’d have no further problems. Over the next few days, the smell of the paint faded and the smell of the damp returned. When I complained to James that the ceiling work had not fixed the problem and that I was worried about mould I received a string of messages telling me that "odours are quite uncommon after water leaks" and he would only work with clients who “work with me, not against me”. The bottom line was that he would only come back if I asked the insurance company to pay for further work from him. We called a trusted tradesman we know, who inspected the ceiling and found that there was black mould covering the entire ceiling - and that James’ team had simply painted over damp chipboard. James’ claims that there must be odour trapped in the air above the ceiling was - he said - laughable. When I messaged James with evidence of the mould - he replied calling me ‘a coward’.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Angelina B ★☆☆☆☆

   Had a great experience with Adam a few years ago but James provided the worst service. Very slow and unresponsive (contacted him in Jan and after multiple follow ups only eventually received the roof survey report in April). Rude and with no consideration of the clients’ time, as demonstrated by last minute visit cancellations with no apology. Too expensive for what it was. Avoid.

   almost 4 years ago
3. Paul Murphy ★☆☆☆☆

   Complete misdiagnosis of my water leak and damage caused to my property. Hundreds of pounds cost over a 2 month period with no resolution, slow response and full payment requested upfront. If you are going to use this firm, get quotes from other local firms and you might save yourself a large cost and actually get the problem rectified

   more 7 years ago

1. karl salvador ★★★★★

   They are very reliable and the best guys to have to work on my flat in Westbourne. Their work was impeccable and i was very pleased with the result. I didn't any problem dealing with them and they worked out the budget i have for the job. I recommend them to anyone who needs a building/flat repairs, may it be water damage, leak detection, restorations, damp spots and etc.

   more 7 years ago
2. Sam Collins ★★★★★

   I never knew how good thermal imaging was for buildings until james and adam came to find my leaks and draughty. Their report was brilliant and very well presented. I've managed to have all the works done and brought them back to check before I paid the other contractors. I highly recommend these skilled professionals.

   more 10 years ago
3. Sean Galvin ★★★★★

   James was exceptional and a very honest person when it came to rectifying a flat roof leak emanating from a roof terrace given he provided alternative courses of action dependent on cost and longevity of the required mend. Unlike a roofer who doesn't have the equipment to detect a flat roof leak unless it is an obvious one, James has thermal imaging technology and other detection equipment to narrow down the cause of the leak. I have recommended James to friends who have also commented on his fantastic service. Don't waste hours with roofers, James can solve your leak problems in a much shorter time period and cost effective manner.

   more 11 years ago

1. Sean G ★★★★★

   James was exceptional and a very honest person when it came to rectifying a flat roof leak emanating from a roof terrace given he provided alternative courses of action dependent on cost and longevity of the required mend. Unlike a roofer who doesn't have the equipment to detect a flat roof leak unless it is an obvious one, James has thermal imaging technology and other detection equipment to narrow down the cause of the leak. I have recommended James to friends who have also commented on his fantastic service. Don't waste hours with roofers, James can solve your leak problems in a much shorter time period and cost effective manner.

   more 11 years ago

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