Apology demanded from Fife Council for contractor's shoddy workmanship
A Fife man has demanded an apology after contractors working on behalf of the council turned his home into a building site.
- By Claire Warrander
- Published in the Courier : 04.08.11
- Published online : 04.08.11 @ 03.24pm
John Guthrie from Glenrothes claimed the electrical firm botched a rewiring job that took months to correct.
Despite several complaints, Mr Guthrie said he is still waiting for an explanation and for someone to say they are sorry.
The company began work in his house in February and was supposed to spend two days rewiring it and fitting new smoke alarms.
However, six months down the line, work to repair the mistakes has only just finished.
"I gave the workmen a spare key because I had appointments which were important," Mr Guthrie said.
"I left my own house and came back a few hours later to a building site. In fact, a building site would have been tidier and safer."
He said a large number of screws and nails had been left lying around the house, furniture had been turned upside down, his couch was damaged and the place was covered in dust.
In addition, he claimed, cabling had been completed inappropriately and could have caused a serious accident.
The issue is now in the hands of Fife Council's insurers, but Mr Guthrie is adamant that he should receive some sort of explanation as to what went wrong.
Adding that a number of his neighbours had experienced a similar situation but were too frightened to speak out, he said he had complained to the council in writing on various occasions but had received no response.
"A council supervisor came to my house and agreed it was unbelievable," he said. "It's fixed now, but I want an explanation as to why it took so long and compensation to repair my sofa.
"My complaint is being passed from one area to another and the only response I've had is to say they will reply to me within 20 days."
James MacDonald is lead officer with the council's housing estate services.
He said, "We would like to apologise to Mr Guthrie, but can confirm the matter has been investigated and we've addressed his concerns regarding the standard of work.
"The claim of damage to his furniture was not on the original complaint so we advised Mr Guthrie he will need to make a claim in writing to allow the contractor to submit this to their insurers."
05.46pm - 04.08.2011 Directline - Inverkeithing, UK Report This
Claim for furniture NOT ON THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT .... Hmmmmm
07.13pm - 04.08.2011 Bob - Fife, Fife Report This
Give someone a council house and do everything for them and they're still not happy.
11.49am - 18.08.2011 Dayna - Fife, Scotland Report This
This is bad news to hear as we are an electrician company. We hope this does not make people think all companies make these mistakes.
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