SEH BAC

In Jan 2020 I paid £12,500 for a conservatory upgrade. Since then the roof has always leaked, I have had a few visits but the leaks were not fixed.
Yesterday they again came out to fix it, they didn't have the correct parts to complete the job, so am now left with a window in the roof stuck back with sticky tape!!
When I complained yet again, I was told that I would have to wait yet another 8 to 12 weeks for it to be rectified.
Would I recommend this company ABSOLUTELY NOT

The whole experience was very good from start to finish. Because the original doors were not very secure they speeded the process up for me and I am very pleased with them. Gav T who fitted them for me was polite and friendly and worked very efficiently and tidily and everything was left clean with old doors and rubbish taken away. I highly recommend them.

We originally engaged with SEH BAC in November 2020, looking for a quality yet not excessively expensive firm to construct an extension for our garden flat in west London. I can’t remember how we came across SEH BAC, however the salesman (Michael Timberlake) seemed professional and also seemed to have a good understanding of our project.
Whilst the sales process was a little boring (in a national home improvement firm kind of way) eventually (after they tried to fob us of with a Upvc conservatory at the same price despite being clear from the outset we wanted an orangery or an extension AND that we lived in a conservation area) we agreed on an orangery design that pretty much met our requirements yet was sensitive to the setting (note at this point there was an excessive mark-up on aluminum windows/ doors and almost a refusal to use them altogether).
Having seen the finish of SEH BAC projects (at a show site), we proceed with the build- a decision that was aided by the reassurance that SEH BAC only have the best builders (something that was repeated throughout the sales process), and subsequently put a deposit down.
From putting down the deposit to obtaining planning permission took over 6 months (despite SEH BAC pitching themselves as planning experts), with similar projects in the local area being approved in around 3 months- the first sign they weren’t quite as capable as they made out!
Once this was finally approved, we pushed them for a start date, however after a range of excuses (many Covid based despite the successful vaccine rollout!), they eventually advised that they would be unable to fulfill the build as none of the contractors wanted to take on the job. This was funny as they never specifically mentioned contractors in the sales pitch, and always advised that they had the best ‘team’ of builders’. There were a few reasons given for the lack of interest in our project, however the key reason was that a cement mixer could not get down the road meaning access would be impossible (despite there being evidence of cement mixers on the road previously and the bin lorry having no problem with access on a weekly basis!). As well as being a bemusing excuse, their surveyor (Greg Timbers (nice chap actually)- brother of the Ops Director, Stuart Timbers) had been to the site multiple times yet had NOT mentioned this being a problem.
Eventually, they apologised for the inconvenience and gave our deposit back towards the end of October 2021- meaning they had wasted almost a year of our time and caused severe delays to our project. There was however no compensation (or interest/ inflationary adjustment) and they did not seem overly bothered that our experience fell significantly short of the advertised experience. It’s not rocket science, if you don’t want to take on a job, don’t, but don’t take a deposit and waste the best part of a year.
Whilst I am sure the quality of our build would have been ok had they proceed, the service we received was unfortunately very poor and suggests that they struggle to operate effectively in London, and perhaps further afield, hence wanted to share the review with any potential customers who may find this helpful.
Every cloud does however have a silver lining, and we have since found a great local firm!

Bizarre experience!! I visited at 4.25pm on Friday 5th after being referred from UP Building products across the road.
The showroom was open but completely deserted, just like the Mary Celeste!! I called out, I checked the reception desk for notices, I wandered round looking for a member of staff, I tried ringing the sales line several times and got the stock 'We're busy with other customers' message - not from what I could see lol!
I hung around for 10 minutes in case someone appeared but in the end I just gave up and left.....totally weird and a very odd way to run a business, not only from a customer service perspective but what about security?!
Completely different experience from UP who couldn't have been more helpful.

Had cladding fitted. Looks great and the fitters were excellent. Time will tell if any issues but for now, it's a big improvement on what I had. Communication with the team in Ipswich was very good. The only issue was being underquoted initially, but was still competitive.

Excellent customer care when I called to ask for a technician to visit to deal with faulty door. Appointment easily and quickly made and confirmed. Followed up a few days later by phone to check time and date were still convenient.

Even better customer care today, when Daniel arrived and worked his magic. What a top chap he is: polite, friendly and very efficient. When he was finished, for the first time since it was fitted, at the end of 2017, and subsequently "adjusted" on two separate occasions by other technicians, our front door now opens and closes with no effort and without fouling the door frame. We are very happy bunnies.

I have to give the SEH BAC Customer Care team good marks and Daniel, especially, 11/10.

Very pleasant man, who gave us the information we needed to make our own minds up,no hard sell or bull...., bought 16 windows, set French doors and 1 front door. Thank you for making this so easy

I have had SEH/BAC do work for me since I moved in 23 years ago and have always been more than satisfied with their work & professionalism that is why I am having them work for me again this year.
Good Luck SEH/BAC you are the best.