welshoakframe.com Reviews 6

We had excellent service throughout our dealings with WOF. From the planning stages, and a very interesting experience visiting the factory in Wales. To the exciting times of the frame being erected on site.
Any issues or questions we had were always answered quickly and to our satisfaction. The numbers of times I called with a question, I thought they would be sick of the sound of my voice!
The boys on site erecting the frame were second to none, very skilled, always polite, always leaving the site tidy before leaving. I was always amazed by the 4am start they had on a Monday morning to reach our site on time.
So, in summary, am I happy with the product and service they provide? YES I’m incredibly happy with finished product, it has surpassed my wildest expectations! Would I recommend their services to someone else? HELL YES!! In a heartbeat.

Welsh Oak Frame are just outstanding. A really lovely company to do business with. We have built a large annexe and designed a new development with WOF. I can’t imagine a company with a better customer service ethic. I made so many revisions to my designs, but Gareth and the team at WOF took it all in their stride. They also just “got” what we were trying to achieve. Brilliant, responsive, clever, talented and just really nice people to have on your project.

I contacted this company and spoke to Gareth the Director. This was concerning a problem that we have from previous work done on our house but done by another company. Gareth could not have been more helpful and was able to give us a solution for a way forward to sort things. How refreshing to find a company who is willing and interested!

After previous successful projects together, our team at Gowercroft Joinery were more than pleased to work together again on an energy-efficient oak frame self-build in Essex.

We worked closely with Andrew Davies, Post Contract Manager at Welsh Oak Frame to make sure that the windows and timber frame structure were well integrated.

The Welsh Oak Frame team were professional from the beginning, communicating fluently throughout the project. The quality of the frame build and erect was of a high standard resulting in a successful project and a happy customer.

We are still working with them on a project at the moment and would be happy to recommend Welsh Oak Frame.

We were faced with aggressive and threatening responses from WOF following many issues with the oak structure and an overpayment. Partway into the build we were made aware that we legally qualified for the 5% rate of VAT on our building work. After supplying all the written evidence requested, it took their accountant 9 months to write and say we only qualify for 60% of the 5% VAT, because the installation was completed 2 weeks after the 1 year deadline. However, we had written confirmation that WOF delayed the start of our build due to issues their end, at this point we had also encountered a number of issues with the structure which had caused further delays:
- Incorrect sized window sills which had to be replaced.
- Window panes fitted incorrectly, which had to be refitted.
- Broken seals on the kitchen window panes resulting in a leak.
- Water leaking from the upstairs doors, through the floor and into the kitchen below.
WOF director Paul refused to take responsibility, also claimed that we had made the first payment late because a cheque had been returned, but HSBC would not authorise the cheque because WOF provided an incorrect company name that did not match HSBCs records (they also go by Arboreta oak frame.) They would not amend our invoice or refund our overpayment, and unbelievably were still stating we owed them a payment. We were faced with very aggressive responses which we have in writing, and would not provide us with a guarantee (which is not worth the paper its written on). The matter with HMRC is ongoing and we still have a leaking structure. Once this company have your money, don't expect any kind of accountability or customer service when complications arise.
Don't believe the marketing hype and pretty pictures WOF exhibit.

If you like overpriced, arrogant, out-of-touch, slap-dash 'architects', who don't listen to your brief and totally ignore your budget, choose Welsh Oak Frame!

I am still a bit in shock by the appalling service I received from this company. After I paid them £3000 they came for a very brief and rushed site visit. Paul the company director told me they would come up with a design to meet my budget. It took them 3 weeks to come up with a completely unsuitable design (2 bedrooms instead of 3, 2 en-suites instead of a family bathroom, separate rooms downstairs when I had asked for completely open plan). I honestly think they copied another design for a different client because it was so far from what I asked for. So little thought went into it.

They gave erroneous advice on the cost of groundwork and simply had no understanding of the site or my needs. When I said I wasn't happy, rather than apologising or listening, I was met with quite aggressive defensiveness. 6 weeks and 2 designs later and they were still missing really basic but important elements. There was no communication. They completely disregarded the original cottage with no thought of how the new extension would link and flow with it, despite my telling them I wanted it to be integrated. The final nail in the coffin was when their price came in almost double what my budget was! They knew my budget was £200,000 and the cost of their design would have exceeded £300,000! so I wasted £3000 on a design which was not fit for purpose.

Perhaps they are very good at making pretty oak frames, but very unskilled and unprofessional when it comes to architecture and design, and very out of touch with building costs. Their arrogance and hubris shows they are a company that has got too big for their boots and does not value or respect their clients (unless you have an unlimited budget, perhaps). They churn out very basic, over priced, off the peg designs. There are very talented, skilled and inovative architects out there who will listen and tailor a beautiful design which is perfect for you and your site, but NOT Welsh Oak Frame!

I am now back to square one and £3000 down, but thankfully have found a fabulous architect who listens, cares about the site and my needs, and innovates,
so have probably saved thousands in the long run. If I had continued with then I would have run into huge problems and debt. AVOID