Dunham Building & Civil Engineering Ltd - Altrincham

David

Like the previous reviewer, this was an insurance funded project for remedial works following water damage at my mother’s property, so I didn’t really have much involvement in the selection of Dunhams. Seemed like nice friendly bunch of people but I felt the contract was managed poorly. We agreed a timescale for the works and there was very little activity until a few weeks before the deadline, and it seemed to me it was then a bit of a rush job with most of the work done at the last minute.

I inspected the property with the loss adjuster at the point Dunhams said they had finished and was very disappointed. The quality of the painting was very poor & the manner in which they laid the kitchen floor vinyl covering was actually quite insulting to anyone with an ounce of intelligence. The wallpaper in the hall stairs and landing area hadn’t been wiped down, with lots of visible paste marks. Rubbish, including a used surgical support had been left on the dining room floor which I had to dispose of myself. The property hadn’t been cleaned properly (despite being promised a “Sparkle Clean”). We had to get them back in to try and put things right which in fairness they did, I just don’t understand why they thought their work was acceptable before the client checked it.

I got the feeling that this was an easy insurance tender for them without much competition, payments from the insurance company appeared extremely generous, they took advantage of the fact that the house was empty with me living a fair distance away and the project manager didn’t really have a handle on what was happening. A real shame as I trusted Dunhams to deal with a fairly straightforward job and it feels that they took advantage of my trust and good nature. Would I use Dunham’s again (or recommend them), I’m afraid I wouldn’t and don’t really understand how or why insurance companies would want to use them. There are much better companies out there.

Michelle M.

BUILDING FIRM FROM HELL

Dunhams were appointed as an 'approved contractor' through Questgates (loss adjusters) who were appointed by AXA my home insurance company.

We had a water leak (radiator pipe under tiled flooring) in January 2022. To cut a long story short over £100k worth of work needs to be REDONE because Dunhams screwed it up. It took an independent report, that I had to fight for, to show the work was not up to standard.

The organisation within the company is dire, nothing was done on time, they broke more than they fixed and its been a living hell for 18 months.

Sam Swallow the MD of Dunhams visited our home and was verbally abusive, aggressive, confrontational and rude, all in front of the loss adjusters to the point where I asked him to leave my home and told the insurance company that Dunhams were not allowed to come back to our home. Mike Budd no longer runs the business.

We now have another contractor appointed by the insurance company to fix everything Dunhams did wrong. The cost is staggering.

I complained to the loss adjusters (nothing). I complained to AXA (nothing). I have a complaint logged with the Ombudsman. I've complained to RICS regarding Sam Swallow. I've complained to CIOB. Apparently Altius are a vendor management company that approve the contractors so I have also be complained to them.

I had no idea who Dunhams were until this insurance claim and the only reason I looked them up now is because of what's happened.

I asked for a freedom of information request to find out how many contracts/jobs they have been removed from in the last 3 years but I'm unable to get the information due to it being a private company, hence this review.

If you have had a similar experience please message me
michellemeadewyatt @gmail .com

anthony R.

I cannot recommend this company enough, there are no words that can describe the exceptional service that I have received on this building project, to go the extra mile these days is unusual, but this company goes the extra 10 miles, my praise goes to the 3 lads who have worked like mad on the job, Dan, Kel and the amazing Barry have grafted like demons to get the job done, starting at 7 am and working through till 5 and beyond at times, actually refusing coffee breaks to get on with the job, I researched the underpinning project and anticipated that it would take 6 weeks to get it all done but by very careful and meticulous planning these 3 amazing workers have completed in less, in between they have jumped on the other works to get everything progressed in a safe and meticulous manner, this house is my son's forever home and I wanted to be there to help him with anything that I could, pointless me being there except to make the odd coffee as Dan, Kel and Barry had everything in hand, completely professional, friendly, respectful and going the extra 10 miles every day, I found this company off a website and I am so glad that I did, from Mr Mike Budd coming out to price through to day 1 of the job, professionally carried out and with respect for neighbours and environment, I would recommend this company to friends, family, associates and any other company that wants a great team to deal with their building projects.

Jerome

Don’t pay debts

Simply J. A. M.

Excellent work on my Barn, the work force for Dunham are second to non especially the joiners, would highly recommend.

Steve A.

Reliable building company

M A.