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| Testimonials |
In the summer 2003 (September) I commissioned 1st FIX to build a single store extension at the rear of my property. Completion 12 week building schedule was met and completed by 1st FIX.
The extension was of unique/complex apex roof design and large frontal glass design that met with apex roof.
I am please with 1st FIX craftsmanship and finishes. At all times1st FIX met my requirements and changes orders. Communications with the builder all times were excellent; didn’t have any issues or problems.
I would certainly use 1st FIX again in the future and certainly recommend them. |
| - Al Chowdhury |
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Sebastian Drake working under the company name of "1st FIX" carried out replacement cladding work and also supplied and installed patio doors at these premises during April 2003.
We consider that the work done was of a very high standard; my wife and I were delighted with the result and we have no hesitation in recommending him to other customers. |
| - Brian Jelley JP CPFA |
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We have recently had a complete refurbishment of the interior of our house carried out by Seb Drake of 1st FIX, Nutley Dean Business Park, Smallfield Road, Norwood Hill, Surrey which included the replacement of doors, door frames, skirting boards, coving and the re construction of a built in wardrobe.
We would like to state that the work was carried out quickly, efficiently and was completed within budget. We received friendly, courteous help and advice and the job was completed to a high standard. |
| - Tim & Ann Clarke |
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Earlier this year we engaged 1st FIX to undertaken three items of work on our property:
- to demolish our old garage and rebuild a more substantial new one;
- to completely reconstruct our front garden with block drive, lawn, flower bed and raised planter ; and
- to remove roof tiles, fit weatherproof felt, rebatten and tile, and insulate and board loft.
We selected 1st FIX because they were building a two-story extension and reconstructing the front garden for our neighbours. 1st FIX had been selected by our neighbours by tender, and since one of them is a civil engineer we trusted their judgement.
We have been completely satisfied with this work, both in terms of the professional manner in which it was carried out and the appearance and quality of the finished product. Some of the aspects that we were particularly satisfied with were:
- they broadly stuck to the timetable, as far as it was in their control. They started promptly and didn’t disappear on other jobs for extended periods.
- they were friendly and responsive to, and intelligent in their interpretation of, instructions:
- they kept the side tidy;
- they produced a top quality product.
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| - Richard Pitts |
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Dear Richard and Seb
Just a note to thank you both for doing such a great job in our kitchen, It is refreshing to find builders that are punctual, considerate and tidy up after themselves! We now have a fantastic large space to work with and will certainly contact you again if we need any more building work. Thanks again. |
| - Diane and David Hill |
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It was in May 2003 that I first had dealings with Seb. A friend of mine was having some building done and was more than happy to recommend her builders namely 1st Fix, Seb’s building company. We have had dealing with several builders and my husband works within a different sector of the building business so we were both pleasantly surprised with Seb’s professionalism from the very first phone call back in May and subsequently during our first meeting. This high level of professionalism has continued throughout the job to its conclusion.
Seb has always strived to work in partnership with us, keeping us informed of the progress along the way. He has managed all aspects of the job impeccably and all the subcontractors he chose to use were, in turn, highly professional. Seb is always polite and well mannered on site, he has done with the absolute minimum disruption to us all. He has kept the site beautifully clean and tidy throughout, always clearing at the end of a session. He has always respected our privacy, for example knocking before coming into rooms when working inside the house. He is very realistic about what can be done and how long it will take and we were confident in trusting his professional opinion on any aspect of the job.
Above all the standard of Seb’s work is exemplary. He strives to achieve a really excellent end product, taking care of all the details and dealing with inevitable problems that arise with skill and sensitivity.
We have been delighted Seb as our choice of builder for this extension. The finished extension is a credit to him and his team. It has been a pleasure to be able to write him this reference. |
| - Maggie Down BA (hons) with QTS |
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We are extremely pleased with the new Studio building and patio that 1st Fix constructed for us. The finished results were impressive, as were the speed and professionalism with which 1st FIX completed the work – and all with the minimum of disruption.
Seb and all his co-workers are hard working, professional, considerate and consultative. Their building skills are of a high standard (even down to the smallest detail) and are matched by their project management and planning/scheduling abilities.
Many of our neighbours have stopped us in the street to comment on their workmanship and professionalism, and I know that a few have now also approached 1st FIX for work to their properties.
We would recommend 1st FIX to anyone wishing to undertake building work, all our best wishes go to 1st FIX for the future. |
| - Mrs D Baker |
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We have employed 1st FIX on the above project which was in part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the proprietor of 1st FIX with whom all business was conducted through being Mr Sabastion Drake.
The works were tendered and let out as works packages. The internal fitting our and finishing package contractor on the above project was awarded to 1st Fix. The contract value was approx £100,000, and lasted 10 months.
Due to the nature of the contract certain works had to be reprogrammed / become out of sequence - 1st FIX accommodated this re-scheduling of works and in turn were able to re-schedule other works accordingly.
1st FIX worked to programme, were responsive to changes in specification, were able to work to the required standard of finish and proved they could manage not only their package of works but also managed other work packages to “fit” with their programme. 1st Fix were able to provide resources sometimes at short notice; they also contributed to the managing role of the overall project by providing cost advice and contract for other works packages.
We would have no hesitation in tendering / negotiating future works / recommendidng 1st FIX to others in the light of our experience working with them on this project. |
| - M A Hollins (Trustee) |
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With reference to the recent works completed (namely a two storey extension to our property) by Sebastian Drake and his organization 1st FIX, we have pleasure in confirming the following:
Price
The works were completed under a fixed sum contract with no unexpected additional costs sor variations. The price offered was not the chleapest, but we paid a little more based upon reputation – this choice proved to be well founded.
A number of additional items were undertaken at our request, for which a fixed fee cost estimate was always agreed in advance and in every instance this was kept to.
Timescale
The timescale for our extension was agreed at 12-16 weeks, the works are now substantially completed some 3 weeks ahead of programme.
With respect to the overall programme, in order for this to be completed we agreed to move out of our property for 2 weeks, to facilitate speed of fitting out (given the difficulties associated with fitting out any property and the temporary mess/ congestion this creates we recommend you do the same if undertaking similar works). During this period the 1st FIX team worked every day, including weekends to hit the agreed deadline. In the event we moved back in after 2.5 weeks, to an extended property with fully functional certral system, new kitchen, bathroom and toilets (all fully functional).
At the tme of writing there are still some external and finishing works to be completed, this has been delayed by agreement as 1st Fix have also been commissioned by our neighbours to complete some works. As a result of agreeing to this programme change due to the scale economies it provides, we have been offered a discounted rate on certain external works, subject to certain activities being completed at the same time for both properties.
Overall Staff Approach
We have found Sebastian Drake and his team friendly, well mannared, polite and honest (we have given them keys to our property and had no problems).
In addition to the above, we have found all sub-contract staff similar.
Site management and Set up
The Project has been professionally managed and all problems addressed in a pragmatic manner, without recourse to protracted discussion or contractual recourse- for example our roof truss design was incorrect, such that it could not be physically built, this was corrected without lengthy debate and at no additional cost.
The site has been kept in a good, secure and safe condition, it has always been left tidy and swept up at night. Our property was also always left secure.
Our roof was removed and re-lined as part of the ongoing works – throughout this period, appropriate waterproofing was provided and we suffered no water ingress.
Snagging work/problem resolution
Throughout the job workmanship has been good and any minor concerns quickly addressed and resolved.
As we are not nearing completion there is a list of final snagging items to be completed – this is no more than about a dozen items, none of which are major in nature.
On the basis of the above, we have no hesitation in recommending 1st FIX to undertake building works, we would use them again. |
| - Philip & Elizabeth Horton |
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I have recently completed a first floor extension at the site address above. We have previously constructed two very similar extensions in the local area and I again chose to use Seb Drake of 1st Fix as he has always been reliable when called upon. His work included the laying of first floor joists, construction of the roof, the erection of stud walls, cladding of dormers and installing fascias and soffits.
Seb was very well organized, keeping me informed of how the job was proceeding, as well as letting me know what would be happening next so I could organize other aspects on the site.
Seb was always on hand answer any questions that the customers had, which he did both politely and honestly. During the work the customer said to myself that Seb’s work was “too good to cover up.”
The work was completed to an exemplary standard and the care and attention taken in both setting his work out and the construction made it easier for others and resulted in an excellent finished product. The project concerned arose when we were working at 4 Carmelite way and I believe that the quality and professionalism of Seb’s work helped my firm to obtain this job.
I have always recommended Seb to both other builders and customers and will continue to do so as I always receive positive feedback from anyone who uses him. |
| - J. ALLGOOD |
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