Right on our doorstep, this client was looking to enhance her living space by converting the garage and adding a downstairs shower and WC.
We love the opportunity to visit our customers at the end of their project and gather feedback on their experience of working with the team at Elivate, It helps to gain insight and also gives future customers the benefit of clients who have used us for a variety of works.
On a hot summer evening, we sat back down with this property owner and heard how she met Elivate and her views on working with us!
Initially, a nervous or, as she said, maybe anxious home renovator, she had heard all of the horror stories and wanted to make sure she was going to work with a building contractor who would be reliable and provide a high-quality finish.
At the beginning of 2024 and having spent another winter with a cold kitchen, this was due to the garage door coming directly into the kitchen area, the client decided it was time to make more of the garage space, which like for many of us had become a ‘dumping ground’ over the last 15 years, and in doing so, would hopefully warm up the kitchen by closing that old door and creating a new entrance in the downstairs hallway.
Sh
e met with an Architect, Suki Jhheent, from ADJS Associates Ltd, as the garage conversion couldn’t be done under permitted development and started with the process of planning application. This was granted towards the end of the summer of 2024 at which point she decided she would to start to look for building contractors in early 2025. Suki suggested a few to contact and in January 2025, she began to reach out to these local builders.
Three responded and booked in to visit, one was a no show, and the final two included Elivate.
What impressed the homeowner about the Elivate quote, although it was slightly more expensive, was the level of detail the quote was broken down to, rather than garage extension and a total price, the quote was ‘detailed and comprehensive’ its enabled further conversations to be had and more trust and reassurance was building.
By the time the homeowner booked in the project, she was already feeling more confident about her choice of builder and happy with everything she had seen included in the quotation pack, which included payment dates and amounts, certificates she could expect and contact details of everyone who would be involved in the project.
Booking in the date worked well for everyone and Mark responded quickly.
So how were the works? Was it a positive experience ? Here is her feedback….
“I have nothing but praise for the Elivate Team, they were ‘amazing’, especially Arron the site manager. Mark had taken the time to bring Arron to meet me before the project began, which was reassuring and Arron and I met every morning before the day began, with him explaining what was happening each day and who would be at the property. That was so helpful as I might have been working from home, so knowing what was going on and who was working in the house built my confidence each day.”
Communication was a big thing for this homeowner and her feedback was that Elivate was TOP NOTCH right throughout the project, from Mark’s first meeting, to Sam in the office, through to Arron on site and every contractor that visited her home.
She explained that it was helpful having all Elivate contractors on site, as it meant the liaison and management of the timing of the project lay firmly with Arron and his team.
One of the things that impressed this client was the close working relationship with all the local suppliers. When she needed to get the shower room suite, Arron called Travis Perkins, spoke directly to Keiran who then met with her personally and spent time going through their full range. It didn’t seem to matter it was a small project, she felt as if she was being treated the same as if it had been an enormous extension.
She remarked on how clean and tidy the team left the area every night, which made all the difference as she was living in the home while the work was being done.
The new space could be used for a variety of purposes, it has now future proofed the home, meaning she will be able to remain there even when she is too old to get up the stairs. It’s now a spare room for guests, a snug for winter nights as it’s so well insulated and also now a shower for her gorgeous canine companion.
When asked if she would recommend Elivate, it was a 100% yes and she already has..
If you are looking for a local reliable builder, with current clients who can recommend their works, get in touch today