When was the work done?
In 2007. What was involved?
It was 3 bedroom detached house with a 28 foot garage. First of all the house needed to be completely gutted and then rebuilt from scratch. It was also reinsulated, an extension was added at the back and the garage was converted. It was a big job and Paul did all the building work including the electrics and the plumbing.
How did you choose Paul Black?
I heard about Paul from his brother who lives down the road from me. We got to talking about the project one day so I called Paul to set up a meeting. I had no experience in anything like this but I knew enough to get different quotes from builders. I must have got five or six builders around and with three of the builders they basically came in one door and I showed them out the back door. They didn't have a clue about what I wanted and couldn't come up with a quote. Another said he would go away and put together a quote and I never heard from him again.
Paul on the other hand came back with an itemized quote from beginning to end that detailed the stages of the project, the length of time for each and the costs involved.
Paul was also the only one who understood what I wanted to do and where I was coming from. It was easy to choose Paul from the others.
Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Paul Black?
I had initially had an idea in mind. Paul put some more ideas to me. I went to the architect with some of those ideas and we came up with a plan.
Did Paul introduce new ideas?
He did, yes. Paul had very good ideas about the design and layout of the garage. We decided on Paul's advice to make it more open plan. Other ideas that Paul came to me with I took to the architect. The architect didn't make it easy on Paul either, he put in some difficult stuff like curved walls and a cathedral window in back. Paul was able to get it all done and did a really good job.
How did the project run?
With Paul, brilliant. I had seen all the programs of nightmare building projects and builders walking off unfinished jobs. I'd often drop in and make surprise visits to the work site and I was always surprised to see how well things were going. There was never any messing about. It was a long enough project that took about fourteen to sixteen weeks to complete and there were no real problems at all.
The thing I liked about Paul was that he didn't rush anything or go head first into stuff. If there was a situation that needed my attention, he'd stop what he was doing and we'd have a talk about it. The scheduling was very good even though I threw so many extra things in as we went. Paul's workmanship was fantastic and he was really easy to talk to and work with.
What was the biggest benefit to you of using Paul Black?
Several things. I would say the things that stood out was Paul's skill as a carpenter and the communication we had during the project. Paul is a genuinely good guy to work with, very easy to talk to. I made lots of changes during the project and Paul never threw the spanners in the air. We'd sit down, talk about it and Paul would just say "no problem".
Paul is totally reliable. If he said he was going to be there a 8 o' clock in the morning, he'd be there at 8.
What's your favourite part now?
The extension at the back with the large cathedral windows going into the kitchen.
Would you recommend Paul Black to others?
Absolutely and I have done. I would have no problem recommending Paul.
Any tips for other people?
Regardless of what your budget is, set about 10-15% aside because you're going to inevitably make changes, add on stuff and want upgrades like I did.
