The Home Improvement People

Unprofessional and contract signing hungry – Had a man named [name removed] who arranged to meet me at my place of living who represents and works for Gotta Go Solar.. He proceeded to explain to me what the solar panel installation scheme was about and what benefits that it could have for me in the long run, and it was explained as this: For every month I pay a lease fee to the company… Read more

that is being deducted from my monthly electricity bill and over 7 years time the solar panel, which apparently is made of premium quality material, becomes ours. After the 7 years, we are supplied with free energy that won't have to pay another electricity bill for that building again but at a final fee charged of $150-$180 to 'close everything up'. In order to gain this 'benefit', I would have to sign a contract and let them "deal with the rest" of the paperwork. My family and I reside in a rental and during that day our landlord had popped in to inspect the roof for the upcoming replacement and had bumped into him. [name removed] said to me that he had spoken to the landlord and he gave the "OK" to have it installed. He assured that I had nothing to worry about, there is warranty, and there is no cost to install and I will forget about it while it is in the works - meaning i didn't have to do anything else while they do all the job apparently.

So what happened...

I asked [name removed] a lot of questions regarding the solar panels. One of a few questions were, "how much is it to take down the solar panels?", which he then responded vaguely, "quite a lot, but who would want to take it down when it's free energy?". He tried to change the topic but I was persistent and asked again. This time it cannot be avoided. "At $1000", he said. I asked for reviews of the company which he seemed hesitant but looked it up anyway online from his laptop, quickly scrolling up and down on forums and explained why there are a few bad ones to which he then insulted these reviewers.

Throughout our meeting [name removed] kept insisting that all he needed was for me to sign the contract, or that my signature is needed, but they won't proceed with any work unless I get a waiver from the landlord. He pulled up the contract ready for this at the end.

I started to sense that something wasn't quite right but wanted to confirm with the landlord so i suggested that I will call him but [name removed] then asked, "Why do you need to speak to the landlord? He seemed fine to go ahead with it when I spoke to him before. What do you need to ask him about? Just sign it because all we need is your signature and we won't do anything until we get the waiver".

For several times, I said that I won't sign anything until I have the contract read by my lawyer (who is also a friend) and at this point [name removed] wanted to arrange another time for him to pop by and finalise the paper work on my end. After he left, I forwarded the contract to my friend and he researched on their company as well as reviews (and this is how I ended up here) and responded to me right away with a warning about the company. At this point I wrote to L that I will not be signing anything due to a refusal by the landlord.

Be Careful – Do not deal with them. We dealt with [name removed] who is part of this business dealing with plantation shutters. After 4 months of waiting [name removed] kept telling us that our plantations shutter were going to be installed "next week" well next week never arrived but they took ALL of the money out of our account without permission and… Read more

without our knowledge.

Our bank is getting our money back and to this date we have not seen any product or had any communications from him.

Condescending, arrogant and aggressive – Geez, I didn't even get as far as a quote. .Appointment was made for today for a pergola measure and quote. Firstly, the guy, Mark, already rubbed me off the wrong way with his body language - swaggering and as if he could not be bothered. When I showed him the area, he was smirking and said "so you want a roof?" Now, I can take jokes as much as… Read more

the next person, but he was just sooo arrogant. So I said "I want a pergola" So he sneers. At that point, I asked him to leave my house and not waste my time. Well that got him riled up...arms stretched to his sides, asking quite loudly what was wrong? His stance was very threatening -INSIDE MY HOUSE! Now, I'm a little Asian woman, whether that played a part in his initial impression of me, I don't know and don't want to know. After reading the reviews, happy I showed him out.

Eco lawn – The Eco lawn tore apart. There's nothing but dirt left. Very unprofessional company. I would not recommend the home improvement people to anyone.

Never deal with Home Improvement People – The sales person was very nice at first. But after we paid the money for the solar power system, we never heard from him again, despite the phone calls/follow-ups we made. We called the main office and we were given so many excuses. It took 3 months before the panels were installed. We called again to get the electrician to connect the system.… Read more

Another series of phone calls until we just decided to get our own electrician. Very very poor customer service. We will never do business with them again. Never!

They Have Changed Their Business Name! **be Aware** – This lot have changed their business name to avoid the bad reviews they have been getting. GOOGLE their 1300 Number. When they start up their new Webpage and business, I suggest we all put these same reviews under the NEW company name as well. People like this don't care...they just change their business name and carry on in exactly the same… Read more

manner.

I really wish I had read the reviews for this shonky lot before we bought our shutters through them.

2 months after installation we had a problem. Took 2 weeks for them to send out their ONLY contractor to fix under guarantee. August this year I had problems again with other shutters. Took them almost 2 weeks to respond to my calls & messages (which were never returned). Was then told that their sole contractor was out of action due to hip replacement, and will not be able to take a look for "at least 6 weeks"!!

Now in December we have the same problem with the first shutter again. They tell me that I have to pay $150 deposit because if there's nothing wrong, I will have to pay for the call out. I refused because it was still under warrantee. Contacted Fair Trading, and they agreed with me. DFT also said that I should demand an extension on the warrantee because of the delays THEY caused.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PAPER TRAIL FOR FAIR TRADING TO FOLLOW UP FOR YOU!

Expensive lesson learned.

shutter dont work – 12 months after we got our shutters one of them died the people on the phone said it was the motor broken and going to have to pay $450 to get a new one never go to them.

horrible company with a seriously horrible attitude – calling every 3 -4 days trying to solicit business, gets aggressive when you ask them to take you off their call database. Looks like it is run by a bunch of losers.

Pathetic Customer Service – Have had continual problems with my solar power and Home Improvement People are saying it's not their problem and are refusing to repair the system.

HIP Should Have Been Closed Down Long Ago – I have had first hand experience of these people, they are serious crooks they even bully and harrass their staff. These people have numerous complaints against them in the Office of Fair Trading, over the years they would likely have ripped their customers off millions. David and Jonas who are there is a very slimy guy. Never do business with… Read more

these people. I advice ou also avoid Gotta Go Solar which is associated with them they are very bad news also. They should definitely be shut down and never allowed to reopen in this field under another name. They are serious crooks

Stay clear of this company – Had these people come out to give me a quote on roof renovation, total sales pitch telling me there the only ones using reflective paint and rubber based concrete on the edge capping so it'll never crack, got quoted $7600 but he said he could do it for $6000 as long as I put a sign out the front for 10 weeks helping them get more work, I could… Read more

only get that price if I gave him 10% deposit that day, after all the lies about them doing things there own unique way and having the longest warranty, I spoke to some other people giving them guys a bad name so I decided to cancel the job, all I got was threats and them pushing me to go ahead otherwise there be more costs for me saying they ordered special paint just for my roof, when I rang and asked for a copy of what they bought exactly they said I don't need to know that, and that paint had a shelf life, long story short I cancelled the job, I lost $600 deposit and got the job done for $2500 elsewhere, it's the same job same paint and same warranty, stay away from this company very very shonky,

Rood Restoration – Bad service, complete waste of time, couldnt eevn get an answer on when work is suppose to start. Took our deposite and now cant even speak to the Director David. Think twice before you get a quiote from these people. Rubbish. Lodged a complaint with department of fair trading. Enough is enough.....

Do not go near this company – I had my solar panels installed by this shonky company. Problems from the start and now I have been waiting for 2 months for them to send someone out to fix them (again). I have had to chase them up continually, never get a call back and no one accountable. Appalling service, do not go near them.

The Home Improvement People – Called home improvement people asking for a price on a roof restoration. They won't consider coming to the house unless my wife is also present. The only other time i have heard of the partner being required to be present is when high pressure sales is applied. Steer clear of this company.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! – We had Solar Panels installed, but after nearly a year they are still not working. They were installed crooked in the first place and ended up hanging over the gutter, we rang them and about this and they tried to make out that we didn't want to pay for them! Happy to pay for a proper job.... After a couple of months of trying to get them back to… Read more

correct the issue they straightened them but the convertor wasn't working. Had it replaced, but still not working because some of the panels are faulty. Have been told about 10 times since that someone is coming to replace them but no-one ever shows up. NO phone call to let you know.

What's worse when you ring them to complain they give you attitude and act like they are the victims being threatened. FAIR TRADING is the only way to deal with this company. Nothing BAD SERVICE!

TERRIBLE after-sales service! AVOID THEM – Think twice before using this company's services. Over a year after the installation of their solar panels, we noticed wet patches on the ceiling in the corner of one room. It turned out there was a cracked tile (possibly more) directly underneath the solar panels. Rain was getting through. We've explained the problem to Home Improvement People… Read more

- they said we'd have to pay $150 JUST to come and inspect, because the 12 month warranty is over. So disappointing.

Actively avoid this company. It's just not worth going to.

negligent service, unhelpful, slow response

Tyrant - Home Improvement People – What a nightmare. Sales person named Bradley promised to carry out works and The Home Improvement People refused to honour. Matter went to ACCC where we reached an agreement. We made a initial cash deposit as it stated in our contract but he Home Improvement People refused to acknowledged that. The Director of the company -David contacted me… Read more

directly and threating me "make it easy on yourself or I will smile at your face when I take you to court.

Threatening and bulling to get monies that is not he Home Improvement People in the first place.

Buyer be warned!

Worst company to deal with ever – I ordered a solar system through them, they took my deposit, filled out a contract and promptly did not do the work specified. They took my deposit and will not give it back, they tried to install a system that was of less value than the one I ordered, and when caught said that because I would not let them install the cheap system I will be sent a… Read more

bill for their time and inconvenience... What a hide. I contacted fair trading, they said the contract is not valid, they contacted the solar people/the home improvement people and were told to sod off... I now have to go through the time, effort and expense of the legal process in an effort to get my money back. What a joke when I end up doing the work because I was ripped off by these jokers