Douglasjohnandpartners Reviews 2

We used Douglas John & Partners to design an extension and major house renovation.

Our initial impression was positive and we were pleased with their design service, though we now know that their designs lacked critical details that led to massive extra costs.

One of the main reasons we chose Douglas John & Partners was that they claimed to have teams of tried and trusted builders who they would ask to tender for our job. This would certainly be one less thing to worry about.

Sadly our job was a total disaster from beginning to end. The builder that Douglas John & Partners recommended totally dodgy and complained constantly about the lack of detail in the plans and specification provided.

We very much regret using Douglas John & Partners as we feel terribly let down by their choice of ‘trusted’ building partners.

Overall we’ve been left with a very bitter taste in our mouths, after what could and should have been a once in a lifetime building project.

It could easily have been so much more positive if Douglas John & Partners took a little more care over their plans and vetted their builders better than they currently do.

Douglas John and Partners drew up plans for a 2 storey extension to replace an existing garage and major works to our home. He said he had builders he trusted who he had used for many years. He refused to get a price from a builder of my choice who had been established since 1955 saying he will be too expensive. Without my knowledge he wrote to this builder and asked him to price another one of his!! He advised me to employ a builder of his who had just gone into liquidation with huge debts who had set up a new company, during the tender process, in his sons name, none of which I was told. He had a legal obligation to advise me as to who I would be contracted to and he failed to do this.
The builder did not use contractors who he could vouch for the quality of their work they were all new to him. Their work is appalling and they were rude and at one point threatening. Douglas John and partners saw no problem with this & they did nothing to help finalise the project I heard nothing from them for 3 months at which point I was advised to employ a surveyor to carry out a defects report. Having done this at a cost of £1200 they & the builder ignore any communication from me and the work that was supposed to be complete in June 2021 remains unfinished in April 2022 and I have been seriously overcharged.
They did not advise on a contract and only got prices from 2 builders despite his website saying 3 or more and ‘we help you select a suitable builder’. This has now removed this from the website. Two quotes was insufficient to get a fair price the price for the job. They acted as contract administrator and advised me to pay all extras including the supply and fit of 6 radiators costing £3900 I have obtained the receipt for these and they actually cost £486! They advised me to pay the final bill before the building inspector had signed off. They backed the builder on everything including his rude threatening conduct and the fact he left the site before the work was finished, to carry out work on my neighbours garden. Their manner was very controlling if I didn’t do what they wanted I was told ‘you’re not listening’. They made decisions such as window heights without asking me and the scope of works was too brief leaving me exposed to extras. I am a widow and this house was supposed to be a positive new start for me and my children but this has been ruined by him and the builder taking over my home and bullying me, they also facilitated the builder overcharging me. They still recommend the same builder to their clients despite telling me they would never use him again. They are not architects although their website implies they are, they are not affiliated to any trade organisations. I am left with poor work, chipped tiles chipped paint & patio doors fitted on expanding foam that need to be removed and daylight visible through the doors. I have tried calling him but he hangs up! I would not recommend anyone to Douglas John and partners Ltd