Watch: Walsall woman shares her unhappiness after five months of bathroom repairs
Listen to Patricia Hill’s experience of repair works
Seventy-six-year-old Patricia Hill is frustrated by repair works to a bathroom at her Walsall home.
These repair works have lasted about “five months” according to Patricia Hill.
She has shared her frustrations and is annoyed at the service from contractors, which were provided to her through the disabled facilities grants government grant arranged by Walsall Council.
Hill said that her heating was switched off during the works for a “few days” which had caused an adverse effect on her health.
She said: “I caught a cold. I went to the doctor’s, and she said: ‘It’s a wonder that you’ve never had pneumonia.’”
A hole was left in the ceiling, which led to a wire being cut leaving the power off for a while.
“My ceiling in my lounge, they had gone through that. They cut the wire so I’ve got no television. I was watching television and I shouted: ‘Mate, my television’s gone off.’”
The power cut meant that Patricia was left without TV and had to wait for an electrician to solve the problem.
Another frustration that Patricia Hill shared is that the paint finish on the door is poor - “the painting of the door was the disgusting,” she told the Express & Star.
As well as this, the bathroom door is unable to close properly.
She also said tiles that were installed were the wrong size - “I’m still not happy with these”, she said pointing to the tiles.
Patricia has said the quality of the work is generally “bad” and there’s “no quality in here [her bathroom] at all”.
As a result of this, Patricia has said that she is unable to use the shower and that her “confidence is gone” due to a water leak that occurred during the works.
Additionally, the finish on her hallway floor that leads to the bathroom was also damaged due to strong solution that contractors used to clean, according to Patricia.
The Express & Star contacted Walsall Council for comment and a council spokesperson said: “Walsall Council has processes in place to support residents applying for disabled facilities grants, including where applicants choose and manage their own contractor.
“Where concerns are raised, the council will provide advice and support where appropriate, but any dispute relating to works carried out under a private agreement is a matter between the homeowner and contractor.
“We are unable to comment further on individual cases due to confidentiality and data protection considerations.”
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