Page 20 - 8_PBC to Begg OCR_8-4-16 (38pp)

site were employed elsewhere.... And yes, I did comment/complain to our contractor’s project manager but seeing as were friends, I took it no further.
You continued: “I have, though, done the lift, which is NOT included in the Surveyor's Specifications, as advised to you in a previous email after your visit (I attach the quote (£11,602 incl. vat) to do what I have succeeded in doing for under £200 of spray paint. In fact I've actually done more than their quote specified, considerably more!)
True and I did an exemplary job; a job I might add which does not appear on any tender from any contractor as not on the Surveyor’s Schedule of Works. Mrs Fortunati checked the final result very carefully and was able to find far less areas requiring snagging than had it been done for the quoted £11, 000 plus vat odd....but still informed Mrs Hillgarth who turned a molehill into a mountain overnight and so the Lift works became an issue [but still Mrs Hillgarth would not accept the fact the the Schedule of Works did not include any works whatsoever on the lift, the lift car nor the surrounding cage. I do recall a meeting when I did explain this fact and in fact escorted around the roof and indeed the lift cage – I was of the understanding she approved – until I saw her email to all lessees that evening!
Since the scaffolding commenced installation on Sunday 31st August, exactly two weeks ago, Management have already saved Lessees exactly £1177.56 OFF the budgeted £105,019.
This has been accomplished by Management stepping in and doing various workings which we knew could be done at a more economical cost (in brief, shop signage (COSTED BY A.R. LAWRENCE FOR £800 plus vat which Management have produced for £125.......and tidying up visible wiring and making Meter Cupboards which A.R.Lawrence costed at £922 plus Vat for 3 meter cupboards and Management have produced same for £648 TO ALSO INCLUDE BOXING IN THE LOOSE WIRING).
This initial saving of £1177.56 will not however be reimbursed to lessees at the end of the works, as Management will utilise this first of many savings, to progress works on the interior NOT included in the Surveyor's Specifications (such as the lift workings).”
I need hardly point out that once your leaseholders have been informed that contractors have been appointed to do a fixed job at a fixed cost, it is potentially fraudulent (at least without informing them) to mislead your leaseholders by doing the work yourself, or through others, and then to keep the money which was paid by the leaseholders to get the work done. And this remains the case even if the aggregate cost to the leaseholders is the same as, or less than, they would have paid to the agreed contractor. I would like to have your comment on this please.
Not too sure if it’s fraud or common sense – but any savings did not go anywhere else other back into more works not on the Schedule of Works – I think I can be 100% certain that nobody but the contractor, the Surveyor and myself actually read the full specs – a point I made probably a dozen times to Mrs Hillgarth to do....again I can find example emails if needed.
Your own Flat
In the course of the works it became clear that you were having your own flat decorated at the same time. In view of the existing uncertainties about what AR Lawrence were doing (or not doing) the suspicion arose that your own flat was perhaps being decorated at the