Higginsgardenservices

David Speirs

2 months ago

My elderly mother hired HGM to move a wall back to increase turning space, replace the upper surface with resin, and render/clad walls in the garden. During the work, concerns such as walls not meeting properly were raised and my mother was assured these would be resolved before completion. However, the cost increased significantly shortly after work began, which appears disproportionate to the additional work requested. The changes were cladding one wall instead of rendering it, and adding monoblock to an area missed during the original quote. The reason given for the increased cost was extra time and materials. While some additional material costs are understandable, changing from render to cladding should also have reduced rendering labour and material costs. This could have been overlooked had the work been completed to a good standard. An additional wall was also rendered following a misunderstanding about the quote. We were advised only the plasterer’s additional cost would be charged, which later amounted to £2,000 despite the poor finish. I was unable to inspect the work before payment due to work commitments. Once I saw the completed job, I contacted Peter regarding both the quality of the finish and the excessive cost, asking to discuss unfinished items. Peter responded only regarding extra time and materials, despite the additional work appearing unlikely to add more than a few days. There was no response regarding the poor workmanship. The issues include: • Incorrect coping stones on the upper wall which do not fully cover the wall and have no drip edge • Lower wall coping stones poorly fitted and already coming loose within days • New wall not properly joined to old wall, leaving gaps where soil can escape this was assured would be addressed when questioned during works • Poor plaster/render finish visible once loose stones were removed • Cladding incorrectly installed with visible screws through boards instead of hidden fixings as confirmed by other contractor quoting to fix and Eurocell(Manufacturer) website • Insufficient support behind cladding, causing movement and a wavy appearance • Incorrect trims fitted around doorway and cladding edges joint trim instead of edge finishing trim • Cladding unfinished to ground level in one corner • One section fitted upside down and already cracked • Uneven cuts and visible gaps where trims should conceal edges • Roughcasting and coping stones poorly finished, with excess cement left visible on rendered walls • Some walls unfinished on top with missing or incorrect coping stones, increasing risk of water ingress which can cause the render to blow • Kerb stones bordering the resin do not extend the full required length • Edge stones sit several centimetres proud of the surface, creating a trip hazard for my elderly parents, one of whom uses mobility aids • Resin surface unfinished at the garage doorway despite supplier guidance requiring an edging trim on Resin mill ( manufacturer) website • Sections of render remain missing despite being raised during the works • A wall left without backfilling despite assurances this would be completed, leaving risk of collapse or voids beneath the resin • Excess roughcasting stones and debris were left in flower beds and on concrete areas, and my mother’s hose was left covered in cement Given the amount charged, we expected a professional standard of workmanship and proper completion of the job, which has clearly not been delivered.

Edith Murphy

5 months ago

In the back garden paths of old heavy slabs and the base were lifted and replaced by a new base and modern textured slabs. The rubble was speedily removed with no inconvenience to our neighbours. A new layer of stone chips was spread at the front. The work was done quickly and cleanly with the job completed in 2 days. The back garden is transformed and we are delighted with the job. We highly recommend this local company for any garden work you may require.

Maria Reilly

a year ago

The team done a fantastic job of our raised patio area. They worked non stop in the blistering tempretures early May. Efficient, friendly, hard working and tidy team. We are very happy with the end result and thank Peter and his son Peter and the boys for a job well done. Highly recommended.

Donna Moore

5 months ago

Fabulous job tidying up my very messy garden ready for Spring! It looks amazing. And they even got rid of the weeds outside my fence! Highly recommended.

Elizabeth

9 months ago

I contacted this company to do work on my very overgrown garden and it was agreed what would be done. Peter (owner) said there would be three of them and that the work would be completed in one day. When the work was started it was only Peter (owner's son) and Jordan who came and, whilst I was very happy with the work done that day, the work was not completed. I messaged Peter (owner) on several occasions and he gave several dates for completing the work agreed and paid for however they never turned up. Work commenced on 20th August 2025 and we are not beyond mid October. On 22nd October the owner came to erect a piece of fencing and informed me that he can't maintain my garden as Carluke is too far to travel from Airdrie !! Work that was agreed and paid for has not been done satisfactorily. I definitely would not recommend this unreliable company. Update : Following on from the ridiculous response from the owner ... I hardly think paying £1800 for unsatisfactory work can be construed as "wanting something for free". Absolute nonsense.