Stroma private building control. Any experience?

[flanagaj]

I have just taken out the Protek Structural Warranty policy and opted to use private building control.  They use a company called Stroma and their introduction was basically an email with absolutely no pleasantries, which went along the line of "supply these documents"

Now I am thinking or binning them before the 14 day period is up and switching to LABC.  At least with LABC, I know they answer emails and get back to you.   Has anyone had any experience of Stroma BC?

[Redbeard]

No, but my general experience of LA vs private BC has been that LABC are more thorough, though to be fair, see-very-little 'fly-bys' can be common to both, and the use of photographic evidence is, in my view, at very least a mixed 'blessing'.

[flanagaj]

2 minutes ago, Redbeard said:

No, but my general experience of LA vs private BC has been that LABC are more thorough, though to be fair, see-very-little 'fly-bys' can be common to both, and the use of photographic evidence is, in my view, at very least a mixed 'blessing'.

I have used LABC before on a renovation and I did find them very helpful.  They were always willing to provide advice and guidance.  I am concerned that by going down the private route, I won't get that luxury.

[Redbeard]

I'd go with your gut feeling, then, and go for LA.

[Nickfromwales]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

I have just taken out the Protek Structural Warranty policy and opted to use private building control.  They use a company called Stroma and their introduction was basically an email with absolutely no pleasantries, which went along the line of "supply these documents"

Now I am thinking or binning them before the 14 day period is up and switching to LABC.  At least with LABC, I know they answer emails and get back to you.   Has anyone had any experience of Stroma BC?

They over-egged the shit out of a project of mine previously, and cost the client a lot of unnecessary expense.

 

The issue is that these 'giants' stomp about and stipulate things and folk just take it for granted that their requests / demands are kosher, but sadly the majority of private are pretty hopeless.

 

I'd stick with LABC as they're usually more grounded as it's not about self-preservation or perpetuation of their companies commercial future.

[flanagaj]

1 hour ago, Nickfromwales said:

I'd stick with LABC as they're usually more grounded as it's not about self-preservation or perpetuation of their companies commercial future.

That was my thinking after I was sort of steered in the direction of private building control.  Private by the very name, indicates a business aimed at profit.   Where as LABC is not a charity, but is operated on a different model.  

[G and J]

3 hours ago, flanagaj said:

They were always willing to provide advice and guidance

I think here the word "were" is very relevant. Since Grenfell, there is a tendency not to give advice or opinion.

 

We have gone private and our inspector has recently self built himself and has been easy to deal with, so no complaints there.

 

We also have a potek warranty. We are just about to have the second "audit", "cavities", the inspection of the "foundations" was not straightforward, but resolveable.

[Jonny]

Just to add some balance. I used Stroma for a recent extension and found them very responsive and the surveyor was great, level headed and came up with practical solutions as needed. Information was returned quickly. 
 

As per any large company I am sure it is down to luck of the draw as to what region/surveyor you are working with.