Designed Interiors of Deal

Work on my recently fitted kitchen had been due to start in mid April 2013 with the deposit having been paid in early March, however the date was later rescheduled for mid May. This delay was apparently caused by overrunning projects and staff illness, both of which are understandable, but would have been known for longer than the one week notice I had been given. My 2 week project ballooned into 12 weeks (24 weeks if you include the wait for the electrics to be signed off!), made up of several weeks waiting for the work surface plus a gap of 4 weeks between the 'finished' job and the back being fitted to the under sink cupboard. Having chosen the work surface in February, the slab of stone was not actually ordered (from Spain) until after the units were installed in May. I do appreciate that the units need to be in situ before a template can be made, but the product should at least have been in the Country, especially as there had been a 4 week delay on the start of the project. Although the stone work surface was sub contracted, there should have been some communication between Designed Interiors and the stone company to ensure that once the template had been taken there would be no major delay. I was eventually promised that the work surface would be installed on the morning of Monday 8th July and that the rest of the work would also be completed that day. I was ready and waiting from 8 am, but no one came. I expected a phone call from Designed Interiors at 9 or shortly after, but no one rang. I phoned them at 9.35, to be greeted with the standard answer I had long become accustomed to; "I was just about to phone you"! It transpired that my work surface could not be fitted that morning as it was not ready, but it would be fitted first thing on the Thursday morning. The tradesmen from Designed Interiors turned up in the morning but not the man with the work surface who was apparently stuck in traffic, although it was not the traffic that prevented him from getting to me, as he was going to another job and hadn't intended to be with me until 2 pm! The project was almost finished on the 11th July barring the back on a cupboard! I also had to remind them about the electrics on 17th September and sent a further reminder on 2nd October and yet another on the 12th October and in the afternoon (these things cannot be rushed) of Monday 14th October, I had an email saying that the electrician would be organised. On 3rd November 2013 the project was eventually finished with the electrics finally being signed off. I have given Designed Interiors a 2 star rating as I am very pleased with the design, the kitchen and the quality and care of the various trades people who were punctual, courteous and tidy. It was Designed Interiors project management and communication that was unbelievable, as there was neither of either! I note that they have now dropped the name 'Designed Interiors', but if that is the only change, nothing will have improved.