Owner Tom Smyth and son Niven Smyth turned our project into a nightmare

<p>We did a fairly large timber frame project, a 108 m2 loft area first floor addition in Linden, Johannesburg. Tom Smyth and Niven Smyth of Dream Rooms are registered at the Master Builders Association (MBA). They have worked for 8 months on a 4 month project and we eventually had to ask them to leave site due to incredibly slow progress and terrible workmanship, severe site safety issues, gross negligence and pathetic supervision of work. We are in the process of lodging a complaint at the MBA against them. They are Masters at cutting corners. They tried to use very thin below spec insulation, they tried to sneak in below spec cladding boards, they messed up bathroom tiling which is costing us thousands of Rands to now fix. The ceilings are like waves, we have to rip out one large area. They were unable to procure the aluminium windows, 6 months into the project we had to do that for them!! The gutter subcontractor did not want to install without us signing that we will pay as Dream Rooms could not pay a deposit. We were very reasonable clients, we gave them plenty additional time, we were trying to be kind and understanding and treat them fairly, only to find massive problems after an inspection by another builder. Dream Rooms even removed isotherm insulation out of the roof, far away in the corner where no-one will notice, to use elsewhere. They messed up the roof structure design by not informing the design company that the roof will carry a geyser tank and solar panel, allthough this is shown clearly on our plan and Niven Smyth was on site every day whilst that geyser was installed!! We now have to pay to strenghthen the roof structure. After 8 months we still had no staircase and subcontractors for flooring and built in cupboards cannot continue to finish their work. We had to subcontract someone else to build the staircase. When the building inspector popped in he almost closed the site due to saftey issues. During the course of the project a worker fell down and had a serious injury. Unfortunately Dream Rooms probably get away with these types of things on many projects, as most people are not well informed and miss the details. So be very careful, rather use Heavens Lofts, I know that they are honest and can kick myself for choosing Dream Rooms.</p>