Dangerously poor workmanship.
I am an owner at the Cala development in Jordanhill Park, Glasgow.
A neighbour of mine was extremely unfortunate to have some of her kitchen wall units fall off her wall when she was having silestone splashbacks replaced. This caused substantial damage, (I witnessed the aftermath and carnage myself), and potentially could have seriously injured someone. The kitchen units were fitted by Creative Designs Ayr Limited who are Cala's kitchen fitter on the development.
My neighbour, (who was visibly shaken and upset), contacted Creative Designs and they initially denied it was their fault despite an independent surveyor my neighbour instructed confirming that they were indeed fitted incorrectly. Even one of Creative Designs own kitchen fitters agreed they were fitted incorrectly. Eventually they agreed to replace the units at no cost to my neighbour but asked her for the difference in price as the damaged, incorrectly fitted original units were no longer stocked and the ones that went with her decor were more expensive. She obviously refused as it was not her fault that the units fell off the wall and not her fault that the original units were no longer stocked. Creative Designs were extremely stubborn and uncooperative and did not take ownership of the issue that they caused at all.
Their customer service was shocking and the emails from Berthold Hahn and his Manager David Coughtrie were extremely unhelpful, unprofessional and at times bordering on belligerent. They eventually relented and re-fitted the new units at no extra charge. Considering Creative Designs were at fault, this was outrageous behaviour and a very unnecessarily stressful and upsetting experience for my neighbour.
Because of my neighbour's dangerously fitted kitchen units I asked Creative Designs to inspect mine. Just to be clear, I had to reach out to Creative Designs despite them having a kitchen fitter who was, (as one of their employees told me), “let-go” and not up to standard with regard to his work. They also knew about my neighbour's kitchen issues so I was very concerned that they had not been in touch with other residents on the development to check their units. Their kitchen fitter who came out worryingly confirmed that my wall units in question were never installed properly in the first instance and therefore had to be emptied, removed and refitted. Even though I had been living with goods supplied and installed by Creative Designs and Cala that were dangerous and substandard there has been no apology, remorse or indeed an admission of guilt. I am stunned at their very poor, uncaring and unprofessional attitude.
I have asked Cala and Creative Designs if they are going to undertake checks on kitchens on the development to see if they have been fitted properly, but I have had no response to that email of 5/6/25.
I have spoken to several residents about my concerns and both Cala and Creative Designs have still not been in touch with any of them to discuss such checks. This is extremely worrying keeping in mind how many properties there are on the development as well as countrywide which could have kitchens that could potentially fall on someone causing injury or death.
Creative Designs have given no reassurances that they can guarantee none of their customers are going to com to any harm due to kitchen units that may have been fitted incorrectly elsewhere. It seems they are hoping the problem will go away. This could affect many people but to date I have still had no response from David Coughtrie.
I would therefore suggest it would be wise that Creative Designs and Cala act quickly, responsibly and appropriately to prevent any possible harm to residents and also to their respective reputations. Both of them have a duty of care to residents which as far as I can see they are not exercising or taking seriously. This is utterly shameful behaviour and I do intend to escalate matters further.
I find it rather concerning and strange that Creative Designs do not have a presence on trustpilot and that no-one but myself has left any review. I also found it strange that when I paid for extra units, they would only accept a debit card or BACS, no credit card, and payment in full had to be made up-front before any work had commenced.
Please think very carefully if you are considering buying a kitchen from Creative Designs Ayr Limited. As far as I am aware, to date they are still not checking for potentially dangerous kitchen fitting. This is shameful, and an extremely serious health and safety issue that could cause severe injury or worse to someone.
