I don’t usually write reviews…
I don’t usually write reviews—honestly, I’m too lazy and like an easy life where possible—but my experience with First Home Improvements (FHI) has been so disappointing that I’ve not been able to avoid leaving a negative review. It started off with a few hiccups that I was happy to overlook. One window arrived partially damaged—annoying, but they replaced it quickly without much fuss, so no big deal. Another window had turned up completely the wrong size, which they only realized after they’d ripped out the old one. They had to shove the old window back in, leaving gaps in the brickwork that let some cold air into the house. This was mid-December, so not exactly ideal timing. Still, mistakes happen, and I wasn’t ready to write them off yet—they promised a new window in a couple of weeks. Next, our brand-new French doors started leaking water into the living room every time it rained. Our old doors were ancient, difficult to open/close, and let out heat like nobody’s business, but at least they didn’t let water in. Again, I put it down to teething problems. What finally changed things for me was when they demanded payment despite the job being a mess: a cracked window upstairs, a botched temporary window downstairs letting in the winter chill, and water coming through the French doors with every downpour. This was all while they couldn’t even give me a firm date to come back and fix things. They’d also assured me payment wouldn’t be taken until the work was complete, but yeah, obviously not I guess. That’s when I lodged a complaint. They offered a Goodwill Payment (at 0.5% of the total job cost) and set a date to sort things out. The gesture was small but appreciated, so I thought maybe we were turning a corner. Turns out we weren’t. They came back, replaced the cracked window upstairs, fitted the correctly sized one downstairs, and “looked at” the leaking doors—couldn’t figure out why they were leaking but told us to “monitor it.” Shocker: it leaked again. And again. Every single time it rained. They also promised the goodwill payment would be in my account ‘shortly’. The new year came and went—nothing. A month later, still nothing. I contacted them, they said they’d “chase it up” and send a technician for the door (and now also a loose window part that had decided to join the party). The technician fixed the window part, tinkered with the door, and declared it ‘sorted’. Two days later it rained, lo and behold more water in the living room. Also still no goodwill payment either. After more back-and-forth, the project manager called, baffled that I hadn’t been paid, only to discover they’d somehow recorded the wrong bank details—despite me sending the right details, as backed up by looking back at my correspondence. Another FHI fumble. Two months after it was offered, I finally got the 0.5% goodwill payment. Meanwhile, the French doors? Still leaking to this day. They’ve promised to “assess it again” whenever we can next align schedules which is difficult given that my partner and I both work full time. On the plus side, they did a decent job with our awkward front door, and whoever’s answering their phones has been polite and helpful through my many, many calls. But that’s where the positives end. I hate complaining, and I really hate that I’ve had to waste time writing this, but if you’re considering First Home Improvements, proceed with caution. You might end up with a leaking house and a lighter wallet, wondering why you bothered.