“Good design, reasonable quality, shocking installation – literally!
We chose Hammonds to help us maximise storage space in our new house – this turned out to be the worst decision we made during the whole design & build process…
They designed wardrobes for 3 bedrooms, but for some reason, sent 2 different installers. First was poor, second was diabolical (potentially dangerous, as he drilled through a live electric cable, fused the circuit and then left the site – without informing anyone!).
All wardrobe installations should have been completed within 1 week. However, because of the amount and seriousness of the remedials, it was nearly 3 months before they were acceptable.
A litany of errors:
o Faulty design of lighting system
o Incomplete delivery of parts
o Poor quality installation
o Incomplete installation works
o Incorrect installation of parts
o Woeful coordination with our Builder
o Discourteous approach to our Builder, as well as with us
o Dangerous and unprofessional practice
o Dismal communications with your “team”
o Lack of urgency to remedy the catalogue of faults
In addition, we had incurred significant remedial costs ourselves, due to the installers lack of coordination / ability / malpractice.
After following the formal dispute process with Hammonds, their paltry settlement offer could not be accepted. Thus, the matter was raised with the Furniture Ombudsman. Their review dragged on for 3 months, but as they did not investigate thoroughly, their (FO) recommendation was hardly any improvement. It was only when we instigated legal proceedings against Hammonds did they make a more realistic offer. By that stage, the wardrobes had become the most stressful part of the whole construction works – and bear in mind we had to work around Covid restrictions / complications too! – and we just could not bear to deal with the matter any further.
Our advice - seek a reputable craftsman to install your furniture (i.e. NOT Hammonds). Or DIY from Ikea.”
