FAMILIES in Lancashire have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket and living in wrecked homes after a Blackpool building company left town in a hurry.
Luxury home extension firm Space4Living, which builds kitchens, conservatories and orangeries, packed up and shipped out of their Marton showroom – allegedly in the dead of night.
Furious homeowners contacted The Gazette to say they had been left up to £30,000 out of pocket because of the company leaving town.
Many have also been left with half-built extensions – with workmen leaving pipes exposed and conservatories without roofs or walls.
Trading Standards and police are now investigating Space4Living which advertised on its website it was the “North West’s premier home extension company”.
The firm’s now empty Brinwell Road showroom bears a sign in which directors claim the premises are closed for refurbishment.
Have you been affected by Space 4Living’s closure? Contact newsdesk on (01253) 361865
However, when The Blackpool Gazette visited the site, the landlord, who did not wish to be named, said the showroom was not being refurbished and Space4Living had left the site.
He said: “Space4Living owners left overnight, and stripped the shop of assets, and the police arrived to see if these items had been taken illegally.
“We have had many inquiries from members of the public and we are obviously very sympathetic towards those who have lost money.”
Customers Ruth and Ian Peri said their home in Fulwood, Preston, had been left in ruins after paying out almost £30,000 to Space4Living.
Mrs Peri said: “I paid Space4Living an £8,000 deposit for an orangery, £4,000 for the kitchen, and another £19,000 for some of the work they have done. All I’ve got for it is a ground floor set down for the orangery and some steel work completed.
“There are exposed pipes in the bathroom, which don’t work, broken gutters and dismantled floor pipes, as well as a skip which I will have to pay £150 to be removed.”
Not surprised. According to the following Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1RF66DiyE
they sell orangreies, not orangeries.
Two fitters i know started working for them earlier this year.After a month without being paid they went in to sort it out. Coming away happy with a cheque, for it to bounce on them after another weeks work . Not only the customers who have being had over
I`m sure the Owner will start up again in a different name next week to do the same again (just like a local firm for my area did last week) Surely the government can stop these Tossers getting away with this time and again…..
To hear of things like this is so frustrating. Decent companies like ourselves and probably everyone else on here work hard to change people’s perceptions of home improvement companies, to try to show that we’re not all the same. But it’s twats like these which go and spoil it every time.
We did some work for a company last year that just did a runner without paying. After a small fortune in solicitor’s fees they’ve managed to find them and we’ll get our money in small monthly instalments, which is better than nothing I s’pose. I hope it easier for the poor guys being left out of pocket in this instance to get their money back or the relevant remedial works done. I just wouldn’t have the audacity or inclination to treat our customers like that no matter the circumstances. I really hope they don’t get away with it :0(
Space4living claims to be Consumer Protection Association and Trustmark registered. They also say that they are ‘covered by an Insurance Backed Guarantee’ (strange wording?).
I wonder what these two organisations will do to help these customers who have given deposits, have part finished work and all their past customers who have guarantees to be honoured?
This type of thing happens every week, in towns all over the UK, continually weakening the industry’s reputation and perpetuating the bad stereotype and image.
Not every window company is a cowboy but along with last weeks Which? report on the behaviour of the top four nationals, this latest news enforces the deep rooted suspicion many have about this industry. And the lack of proper consumer protection.
It boils down to customers being duped by false promises and lies by what appears on the front of it to be a reputable operation and for once didn’t even mention the BFRC ……Doh
i think kneecapping would sort out these type of people. they are criminals but the government fails to see it.
customers are there own worst enemies though led by price . cheapest isnt always best. its patently obvious that firms like wyw. conservatory outlet ,walkers, b & p etc etc are all honest and deliver a good job most of the time and even wen it goes tits up bend over backwards to get the job sorted.
which i suppose is why we all get our fair share of recommends and have decent turnover even in reasonably hard times
Faisal, completely agree with you.
However, your last sentence should have finished…
‘And the lack of proper consumer protection until DGCOS came along’
Tony, stop using this forum just to plug the DGCOS.
We all know it’s a waste of time and just another business trying to profit during a recession. Nobody worthwhile is joining the DGCOS and the constant plugging attempts online are so transparent it’s unreal.
DGCOS = Waste of Time
Well said Steve
Steve,
You are misinformed and incorrect.
DGCOS is a not for profit members organisation.
DGCOS is performing an important function- giving consumers peace of mind and helping members secure new customers and maintain their margins.
Some of the nationals are making enquiries about membership.
Many worthwhile businesses including some very well known large regional installers are now becoming members and supporting DGCOS.
Why would they do that if it was a waste of time?
not for profit thats just one part of dgcos. the rest is a business like any other otherwise why not register as a charity!
i bet none of the nationals leave the ggf to sign upto dgcos. using the name ombudsman is decieving joe public. you cannot be impartial your taking cash of your members and your not appointed by the government or the judiciary as fas as i know
damn i b4 e except after c lol
Some Ombudsman schemes are statutory and paid for the government eg Local Government Ombudsman, Health Service Ombudsman, Police Ombudsman.
Some are optional like The Surveyor Ombudsman, Estate Agent Ombudsman, and Telecommunications Ombudsman and are paid for by the members wanting to distinguish themselves and give consumers extra protection.
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman is providing an important consumer protection role hitherto not available. It gives consumers access to accredited installers, policed installers, free mediation, free independent inspections, free arbitration (non opt-outable by the member).
Not only can it expel members but enforce awards and ensure customers are looked after and receive redress.
The industry has needed DGCOS for years.
In the past installers have joined toothless buy a badge trade associations for perceived credibility. Only finding out there is very little (if any) protection when they or the consumer come to call on the trade association for help.
Yes Space4Living will certainly reappear in fact MD Barry Palin and his Son Adam Palin + another director formed Outdoor Living (Lancashire Ltd) Registered No.07207774 in March 2010. Some of the clients £ has apparently gone elsewhere. As always it will be years if and when any penalty ever hits these guys.