AJ_EDF

Hi - looks like Steve is away on holiday for a couple of weeks and our washing machine has broken!! Does anyone have an alternative contact?

Just a very brief rant and follow up about Thames Water. As I understand it we're all entitled to compensation for unplanned interruptions to our water supply and/or repeated instances of low pressure. Thames Water are supposed to pay this compensation automatically as a credit to your account (which is peanuts - something like ?30). We're on Upland Rd (Lordship Lane end) and like most of our neighbours suffered a complete outage on 29/30 August (further repeated on Saturday last week and earlier this morning). Of course, the compensation payment doesn't happen automatically, but filled with rage after the outage on 29/30 August I dutifully filled in the online compensation form and have hounded Thames Water ever since for a response (admittedly there are better uses of time, but it's become a point of principle). Whilst denying that the outage on 29/30 August was anything other than low pressure which apparently lasted for less than the 12 hours threshold (news to me), they have agreed to make an ex gratia payment of ?50 for the inconvinience. Hardly worth the effort, but I'll be putting my windfall towards a stockpile of volvic for the (inevitable) next time. Just incredible, frustrating behaviour from Thames Water.

We used Loft Life a couple of years ago - they were ok-ish - well, they were cheap. They do seem to over commit and will have multiple jobs on the go. This results in lots of communication problems, issues with sub-contractors (the draftsman / architect and scaffolding guys were a nightmare) etc etc. If you've got the energy to micro-manage and your time frames are flexible, it might be worth the trade off on price (but only just!). If we had our time again, we would have used Martin's builders (who completed our wrap-round extension and front drive).

Wondering if anyone knows if any local jewellers would do repair work? I have some earrings which need fixing and don't fancy schlepping over to Hatton garden

We are hosting a party for about 60 people in July and have a quote from food unlimited in beckenham. Has anyone used them? They seem nice but we're worried that we don't know anyone who has experience of them. Alternatively, does anyone have any recommendations for a local catering company who could do a big paella (or something similar) for us?

Don't get me wrong tomdhu, they've identified the guy who did it, they already had his DNA on the database, the police just aren't doing a whole lot about it!

Not that I particularly want to get involved with the above, but (deep breath) . . . having been the victim of a break in / car theft earlier last year while my pregnant wife and I slept upstairs, burglary in SE22 feels pretty "hot" to me. Given the police's general lack of interest (even when the car / DNA evidence was found / obtained), it feels to me like something that would be worth commenting on . . .

Please PM me if you're thinking of using this guy.

PM me if you're contemplating using Lee Saxton / KGL Building. Plenty of forum feedback already on these guys if you do a search.

Steve Marsden and his brother fixed / replaced 22 fence panels at our place last week. Quick, tidy, all completed on time and as originally scoped. Would highly recommend.

I've posted elsewhere about Martin's - they carried out a full refurb / kitchen extension for us last year. Like Matt above, we thought they were great. Would definitely recommend them.

Michael and his wife have completed a number of painting jobs for us and I understand plenty of other forum members - their references are impeccable. Plenty of positive feedback if you check the forum.

Would echo the above. Michael and his wife have just finished decorating our hall and landing, including a couple of cupboards. They've done a fantastic job, all completed on time, great communication and for a very reasonable price. Michael also went out of his way to help and advise on a couple of smaller jobs which I had decided to tackle myself (and dived in when I quickly lost interest / realised my own limitations!). As Annie says, book them in while you still can!

Would echo the above. Dave has recently fitted out our loft conversion and will be back to finish up the hall and stairs next week. Punctual, hard working and very reasonable. Also gave us great advice about sourcing carpets on-line cutting out the middle men.

We've just used Terry (07590 208231) to fit some outside lights for us. Would highly recommend. Really nice guy, quick to respond, reasonable - we're very happy with the work.