Innovative Designs
129, 133 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6QJ, United Kingdom
4.9
53 reviews
8 comments
FXC9+XF London, United Kingdom
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Monday: 10–17
Tuesday: 10–17
Wedneasday: 10–17
Thursday: 10–17
Friday: 10–17
Saturday: 10–14
Sunday: Close
Tuesday: 10–17
Wedneasday: 10–17
Thursday: 10–17
Friday: 10–17
Saturday: 10–14
Sunday: Close
Recommended!
Anyway, all in all, we got a good product at a decent price and the guys at ID are very nice and do their best so sort the issues. It could just be done in a slicker way.
Firstly, the designer who visited and drew up the wardrobe was very attentive and patient with my requests and questions. Granted, as I am an architect I had already designed and drew up the wardrobe myself, so it was really the final checks to put it into production that needed to be done. Due to a bit of inexperience, there were certain things they should have known and told me which I didn't find out until the installation. For example, the original design was for the wardrobe to be open with no backing, however, when it arrived it had a backing and I was told that's how they are always made. Secondly, the original design had a single continuous shelf along the top which I was told was fine, but just before installation I was told it needed to be three separate divided shelves. Whilst not game-changing, it highlighted the inexperience and and lack of communication between the design team and manufacturing team.
Now to the installation. The gentlemen that came to install the wardrobe was very nice and worked hard, but the professionalism and finished quality I must say was fairly average.
For whatever reason, there was only every one person that came to work on it, despite being given the impression there would at least be two. This drew out the time it took to actually finish the job. Initially I was told 2-3 days, but it ended up taking 5. Because this was the wardrobe in our bedroom, we were having to sleep in the hallway on our mattress until it was complete. I understand my particular project was tricky because it required removing the existing wardrobe which took longer than anticipated, but this also lead onto my next issue.
That being that he didn't come on consecutive days to work. He came the first, but not the second, the third but not the fourth, and then the fifth to finish. When I spoke to the company about it, they said that this was normal and the estimated 2-3 in the initial email states this, even though it does not.
He also came at very irregular hours to work. On two of the days he arrived in the middle of the afternoon and stayed till very late, despite saying he'd be there earlier. I understand that he lived quite far, but again, it's very unprofessional. If you know it takes a few hours to get somewhere then you should account for that in your timing. He did work had but at the same time didn't really do himself any favors by starting at 3pm.
As mentioned earlier, my project was trickier because it also included the removal of the existing built-in wardrobe. Admittedly this was a task that took longer than anticipated, however, I was aware of and communicated this explicitly during the design phase. What also made it take longer was the fact that he didn't come prepared with the right tools. Not only this, no protective coverings were used on the carpet, resulting in lots of plasterboard dust on the floors and dents on the walls and even ceilings. Also, he didn't bring his own vacuum, and instead used ours to clean all the plasterboard dust from the floor which clogged it up and made us have to take it apart to clean it all out. This is rather unprofessional as any tradesman should carry the tools and equipment they need for the job.
Lastly, the general quality of the finished product is fairly average. A lot of the panels have chips on the edges, some of the joints aren't cleanly finished, the drawers aren't evenly space and the green marker used to label the panels doesn't come off very easily.
Probably most frustrating though is the fact that the drawers on one side actually knock the door when opening them, and I have to push the door every time to allow them to clear it without hitting and potentially damaging the door panel. The gentleman did come back to try and fix them as initially they were clashing much worse, but the fact I'm still having to do this signifies pretty sloppy work and a failure to properly and accurately measure before executing.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend them again.
The individual that came out to measure and price my job was extremely accommodating, well-dressed, and pleasant.
This is my second wardrobe from them. Great selection of high-quality items. Staff was quite helpful. Although the interiors appear to be limited, there is a good selection of doors in a variety of colours.