Bruceworks Landscaping Centre — Local services in District of Majura

Bruceworks, trading as Sheds and Homes built our Colourbond garage. The sign up and initial payment went smoothly, but thereafter the process was disastrous. The simple project ran way over schedule (12 months longer than the contract specified). In fact, they did not even commence works until after their estimated completion date (30/11/20). We frequently contacted them to ask when they would start and whether they would be finished by Christmas 2020 and they consistently confirmed that yes it would all be done by then. We did not receive the final paperwork for the garage build until December 2021.

Bruceworks had appalling quality control, including issues with the structural integrity of the slab and garage. We raised numerous issues with the engineer multiple times as the garage did not match the plans. We then had to relay this to Bruceworks who would wait a number of days to attend site and rectify one issue at a time. This required multiple follow ups on our part which was stressful and time consuming.

Bruceworks were terrible at project managing our garage build and keeping us informed about what was happening. They did not seem to be able to effectively schedule and manage their staff or subcontractors, so when there was finally progress on the project there was always delays of days to weeks before the next step of the process. They also did not oversee their subcontractors leading to significant structural issues. The slab footings were poured in the incorrect places with the wrong number poured, and it was only when we were doing some landscaping work around the slab that we noticed and informed them. The control joints were not cut in the slab soon after pouring and when we questioned this they were later cut in three times deeper than the engineer specified. Following on from this, Bruce is unprofessional when faced with conflict. When we approached Bruceworks with our concerns they were initially ignored until we engaged a lawyer.

We are not happy with the quality of the slab and garage. We had specifically told Bruceworks we had intended to use part of the garage as a workshop and it needed to be water proof and strong enough to house heavy machinery. The structural issues with the piers and the slab leave us concerned about what may happen in a few years’ time with undercutting and subsidence of the slab due to the mistakes made during construction. Further to this the building is not water-tight and leaks water every time it rains.

Do not use Bruceworks, they have cost us thousands of dollars in legal fees and expenses for us to fix their problems. They have caused us an inordinate amount of stress and anxiety which will continue for years to come as we are still not sure how structurally sound the garage...

We signed a contract and paid a deposit in August 2018 with Bruceworks. The project was a backyard renovation that we had designed but needed an expert to coordinate. We were keen have the project finalised in time for a Christmas event that year. By the beginning of November we still had not received confirmation of a commencement date and started to get a little nervous. After several follow up phone calls with no success, we paid Bruceworks a visit in person. Finally a date was set for the end of November.

Our contract stipulated that deviations had to be discussed and approved in advance. Additional amounts were to be paid prior to the finalisation of the project. This included damage created by their bobcat to our lawn. In order to have the lawn repaired we were charged an additional amount as this was considered a deviation. Disappointingly we did not receive the same courtesy in return. Our contract included the supply and installation of Black Scoria footpaths. We did not receive Black Scoria. In fact, we were not even advised that it was not available. Instead Blue Granite was supplied and installed. We were not consulted and it wasn't until we refused to pay the final invoice that we were offered a token of compensation. We were offered a tin of water proofing sealant to "enhance and darken" the stone to imitate the same affect as Black Scoria. We were told several applications would be required. A Bruceworks team member applied one coat but the tin with the remaining sealant was not left on site as promised by the smooth talking Bruce Cross.

Two years later we employed the services of another Canberra landscaper for our front yard. Karl was brilliant, collaborative, informative, flexible and reasonably priced. We recommend him regularly to our friends and neighbours, who like us are impressed with the results. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Bruceworks. The Bruceworks team were polite and punctual. The rest of the work they provided looks amazing but our experience was marred by one simple flaw in communication. We will be paying Karl to fix up the mess that could easily have been avoided if Bruceworks provided their clients with customer service...

What do you look for when thinking about a renovation? For us it included: communication price professionalism workmanship respect; and a contract that set out each parties' responsibilities. All of this and more was achieved when we engaged Bruceworks Landscaping Centre to undertake our works. Bruce visited us from time to time to check on progress and ensure that we were satisfied with the work. If a glitch occurred (as it can happen) they were quick to find a solution. The communication throughout the whole project was amazing. Communication is key - so a big shout out to Matt for his oversight of our project and to both Sarah and Danny who work behind the scenes. If there were delays (and there were delays like covid, weather and material shortages) Matt would be in touch and give us an approximate date of when the next stage of works would occur. Our works included replacing the pergola to make a watertight area, a new and larger garden shed, three raised garden beds, paving, a new entrance to the garage with a roller door and new guttering to the house and garage. The team of workers were all fabulous. They arrived on time (just like it said in the contract), and they all worked diligently and consistently each day. How they worked through some of the most horrid weather conditions is a credit to them and the business. While we didn't get to know them all by name, we would like to mention Glen. He was absolutely amazing and his attention to detail and quality of his workmanship was incredible. He also was good at sharing his knowledge and experience in a way that encouraged his apprentice and from my perspective was wonderful to see. It is having people like Glen and so many of the others that worked at our home that make a business great. Well done Bruce on having such an awesome team. To anyone looking for a business to undertake any works they have in mind, we would highly recommend Bruceworks...