Week 14 : 10 - 16 Dec.

Monday
No response to the e-mail.

Tuesday
No response to the e-mail - the blog is now public again and shall remain so until the successful conclusion of the installation.

[Meanwhile... The builder's electrician turned up precisely as arranged and cabled up the conservatory for the lights, fans and the automatic vents. Now we just have to wait for the fans and lights to come in to stock. He was even able to confirm the legal distances for the lights and fansfrom the pool on the spot - how very professional.]

Wednesday
10:15
Spoke to Chemigen – they have not yet received instructions from Sapphire to install the equipment and won’t do it on my instruction.

11:40, 11:50
Called Helen – away from her desk, left no message

12:30
Called Helen – on the phone (line was busy) so left voicemail stating I was trying to get dates for the Solar heating and Chemigen install and asked that she call me back as soon as possible.

14:15
Called Helen – away from her desk, left no message

[14:20 Conservatory Painter called as promised to arrange to start work tomorrow.]

15:00
Called Helen – away from her desk, left no message

16:40
Called Helen – “Sorry, Helen’s line closed at four thirty, can I take a message to get her to call you back, she’s back in at nine tomorrow” “No thanks, I’ve already tried that!”

Thursday
[07:35
The painter arrived to start painting the steel structural component of the conservatory. I suggested he take special care to note the quality of his work on the legs and frame so that, should the landscaper scratch or damage it when replacing the header course, the painter is able to specifically state the condition they were in beforehand, in order for us to fully recover any rework costs. I shall of course be taking further photo's as well.]

11:45
Sent a fax to the head of fibreglass installations, Darren, detailing our complaints, particularly with the landscaper. Included copies of various e-mails and pointed out that this is now stalling the conservatory project. Confirmed that it had been received by reception by 11:50. Now we wait... not quite so long this time I hope...

[15:45
Pool fencing company phoned to arrange to do the site measurement tomorrow for the gates at the laundry door and conservatory sliding doors, they are still working towards an early January install, subject to the header course.]

Still waiting...

16:03
FINALLY! A response! At last I have a name and company name for the landscaper, though no phone number!

"... from ... will see you between Friday morning and Saturday evening to investigate your issues with the pool headers."

That's really great, given that I have told them the pool won't be uncovered until next week!

"The headers on the Imperial swimming pool come as a kit especially made and designed by the manufacture which are installed the same way every time as per the kits design. ... installed these headers him self (sic) and has installed several hundred for our company and many more privately and is more than happy to answer any questions.

Reconstituted limestone headers will vary in thickness as per the manufactures specifications as the pool is a level beam and we are only using a thin bead of glue to adhere these products.

these variations will follow through to the final finish of the product."

It isn't the thickness I have a problem with, it's the unsquare corners, unbalanced placement and edges which aren't parallel with the house when the pool clearly is!

"With regard to the solar and chemigem installations these items have been booked and will be install early Jan 08’ (sic)"

Well, what a surprise that isn't, they've only had fourteen weeks to plan these items, why should I expect them to be installed now when we can make the whole project run more than three months over by installing them next year?!

Friday
12:25
Well, well, well, what a surprise! I spoke with the Chemigen people and discovered that our system is NOT booked for installation in January or any other time, still on the "pending" list it seems. I also discovered that they could get it installed next week if they are told to do so TODAY. So much for "... chemigem ... booked and will be install early Jan 08’"

Sent an e-mail to Darren asking that he contact Chemigen immediately to give them the go-ahead - that gives him about four hours to make a single phone call.

15:55
Seems like many of the ALT people are unavailable, including Darren - Christmas party perhaps? Did manage to speak to an angel called Sally - extreamly helpful and friendly - who said she would immediately type up the service request and get it to Chemigen this afternoon in order that we can get the system installed next week. Now we just have to hope that all the available appointments haven't gone.

16:45
Got a phone call from the wonderfully efficient Sally who confirmed that she had spoken with the Chemigen people and anuthorised the work to proceed, so now I have to wait to find out if it will be Wednesday or Thursday but we are finally getting somewhere. Thanks again Sally.

No contact with the landscaper so far!

[The painters, meanwhile, have finished... on schedule and the boards/scaffold are planned to come off on Monday.]

Sunday
Not surprisingly, the landscaper did NOT contact me over the weekend. Wrote an e-mail asking Darren why - did he contact the landscaper or didthe landscaper not bother? Who knows... Suggested that they provide me with the landscaper's number.

Also asked why I was being invoiced and receiving "friendly reminders" for payments which were not yet due since the items had not yet been installed. Will have to investigate the legality of that practice.

Requested a breakdown of what items/services are included in which parts of the contracted payments so that we don't pay for what we haven't received.