Dear Mrs. West,
We are deeply sorry to hear you were dissatisfied with your experience. However, we feel it is necessary to address several inaccuracies in your review and provide important context regarding this project.
Polmenna Pools was hired to address issues caused by another contractor’s work, which had resulted in significant challenges and had been settled out of court with you.
Sympathising with your difficulties, we approached the project intent to resolve these issues effectively and economically. From the outset, it was clear that the pool required extensive and complex repairs.
During the course of our work:
We provided detailed timesheets and clear documentation of costs, including material and labour breakdowns. The staff costs, agreed upon at the start of the project, were transparent and even reduced from the original quoted amount as a goodwill gesture.
While we did not provide a fixed end date due to the complex nature of the repairs, we consistently updated you on progress and timelines.
Payment terms, including upfront costs for materials, were agreed upon prior to commencing work, standard for a project of this scope.
You frequently praised the professionalism, skill, and dedication of our team that we appreciated.
Unfortunately, challenges arose impacting the working environment.
Without prior consultation, you contacted both Trading Standards and the police to express concerns about staff costs. These agreed costs had remained unchanged throughout. Trading Standards and the police reviewed the matter and found no wrongdoing on our part.
Certain behaviours during the project created a working environment that some of our team found extremely uncomfortable. As a company, we prioritise professionalism and the well-being of our crew.
During the project, you sent over 100 emails in a two-month period, challenging numerous aspects of the work, including areas that had been previously agreed upon. While we value open communication with our clients, the volume and nature of these interactions created additional strain on the project.
You also requested that our team witness personal documents unrelated to the project, which we accommodated in good faith to maintain a positive working relationship.
Furthermore, you raised concerns about a leak in your bathroom, which you attributed to our work. Although we believed this was unrelated to the pool project, we promptly addressed and repaired the issue at no additional cost to you as a gesture of goodwill.
While we strive to work constructively with all our clients, we must acknowledge that your project presented exceptional challenges. In our many years of operation, we have never encountered such a difficult working environment.
Based on professional advice, including that from Trading Standards, we therefore made the difficult decision to withdraw from the project when it became clear that continuing was no longer feasible. This is the only instance in our company’s history where we have left a project unfinished, and it was an extremely disappointing outcome for us not to see the final stage of the lining completed.
Regarding Your Claims:
The suggestion that our team behaved unprofessionally is unfounded. Throughout the project, our staff maintained the utmost professionalism despite the challenges.
The claim that our company engaged in negative communications with other businesses is categorically false. At no point have we defamed or undermined you to other contractors.
Despite the difficulties, we refunded the full cost of the liner promptly upon receiving your bank details, as part of our commitment to fairness.
We take pride in our reputation for delivering high-quality workmanship and conducting ourselves with integrity. While we regret how this project unfolded, we remain confident that we handled it professionally and ethically.
We hope this response provides clarity and context.
Sincerely,
Luke Gamble
Director, Polmenna Pools