LJB Lee Botting Ltd Reviews 18

LJBOTTING did an excellent job on our attic conversion. It's just been finished to a high standard and we are delighted with the work.
They encountered a few unexpected issues along the way - as ours is an old property - but dealt with everything within the quote and time frame. Excellent all round!

We employed LJB to undertake a major kitchen refurbishment including some minor building work, as well as some other carpentry and decorations, to a tenanted rental property we own.

I write this review as an experienced property investor and residential landlord, who over several decades has undertaken a multitude of home refurbishments and projects.

We had used LJB many years ago for some minor works and they appeared ok. Forward wind several years and LJB has grown, and with that expansion they have in my opinion utterly lost any qualities they might have once possessed in terms of quality, planning, communication and customer service, to the degree that Lee Botting and his team have discarded any quality control over their trades, given up on planning & project co-ordination, and abandoned any care for their customer's needs, show nothing but contempt once on site for their customer. They charge a premuim service but delivered none of it in our experience. Amongst the chaos of the job there were some good examples of work from some individual trades, but at the times when they produced poor quality work or failed to deliver the agreed spec they accepted no accountability whatsoever, never apologising, but instead responding with lies and blame for the customer for their errors and poor workmanship. For example, we stopped them half way when fitting door handles on new kitchen cupboard doors; the handles were very clearly in the wrong position, misaligned and crooked. Their response was to lie, deflect and avoid any accountability. After a great deal of exhaustive pressure from us they eventually replaced the kitchen doors and refitted the handles correctly, but then framing it as a good will gesture instead of accepting accountability for their poor workmanship. This was just one example amongst many of their defensive approach when things go wrong. And all this in the backdrop of a builder who literally ignored us again and again, from to day, with the absolute minimum communication one could imagine, barely breaking beyond a few words in an email. It was only with our daily attendance did the work finally reach a standard we could just about accept. Despite all this, we paid every penny invoiced by LJB just to be free of them, and in return they kept the house keys refusing to return them meaning we have had to change locks and reissue keys to tenants.

Please avoid this company and the family which sits behind it. We were told on day one by Lee Botting's son, that their final Invoice is always for just a small amount because time and time again customers attempt to hold money back. One has to ask, what is going so wrong with LJB that so many customers are so dissatisfied with their work that they are unwilling to pay, preferring the option of a potential legal fight with Lee Botting who showed us directly at the end of our own project his strong and immediate appetite to mount legal challenges in place of discussion and negotiation.

I expect that if Lee Botting has any opportunity to reply to this review then he will in my opinion do so with more lies, deceipt and anger for his paying customer. If anyone reading this review has any doubt as to its veracity, then I suggest you need do no more than to talk to any customer or tradesperson in Eastbourne who has had direct experience of Lee Botting and LJB to reinforce our sentiments above. We have since learned that their local reputation is as poor as it could be, but sadly we feel 'reputation' is not something Lee Botting appears concerned about.

So many errors to mention, I could write a book. I was having a new kitchen installed but the room had to be changed around first. This company didn't keep me informed, I had to chase the office every time for information. Workers would go off sick for days and no word from the office. They made decisions without consulting me, they also made bad design decisions without consulting me. Their placement of wall mounted electricals and cabinet handles is amateur. When I pointed out they had not followed the Computer generated kitchen design, or consulted me on placement of handles, they got defensive and threw multiple rubbish excuses at me. I had a run in with Evan who became almost aggressive, I had to calm the moment down, he had built some custom washing machine cabinets without looking at the plans and made them totally wrong. There is nobody project managing or looking at quality control so there was no meeting with anyone at intervals throughout the works to comment on progress and discuss any decisions that needed making, which is why my project turned chaotic and lots of mistakes were made. There is no communication between the office and the client, or between individual workers. I would have a conversation with one person and agree a solution for a particular detail, and then that person wasn't on the job the next day and I find it has been ignored and done differently by someone else. When I mentioned there was no Project Manager Lee actually said this to me:

"You assumed there would be a project manager, as stated this is not something that you were ever told. What level of respect do you require – us to duff a cap and bow?"

It beggars belief the level of contempt this comany hold for their clients. they charge a premium, they are cavalier with their pricing, they wanted to charge me DOUBLE what I paid to another company to install a new hot water system. They present themselves as a high quality curteous builder but they are far from this. Many things were done so badly they had to be redone twice and sometimes three times. Any comment from me about poor quality work is met with hostility and childish arguments. I've recieved a poor finish on many details, and when they came to do the snagging they rush and don't do a nice job. The only thing they get right is their prompt invoicing system. Do not go with this company, don't be fooled by the nice looking vans, it's highly likely you will regret it.

Having lived with it for several months thought about time to review LJB !
What a transformation !
Wonderful service from first contact to completion, came to our home on time discussed our requirements and options. Quote followed shortly to rebuild /replace old badly built conservatory and replace patio/drive including resetting downpipes and drains, the guys were so friendly and courteous, done an amazing job have used new conservatory so much love it. Had to call them back for a door adjustment not a problem came same day fantastic service can't fault them. Thanks to everyone from the office to the guys on the ground keep up the great work !
P.s even recommended them to my works, keep up the great work 👍

I also had the misfortune of having substandard work from this company. Evan was also rude... I was asked a question by Lee's son, before I had chance to answer, Evan said "it's a simple question, which way up do you want it".
I had to call them back twice once I'd noticed the work had faults. Whilst the work was rectified, Lee became hostile, and made lame excuses.
LJB also charge extortionate rates. Shop around, you can't fail to do better.

Avoid
I employed LJB Lee Botting Ltd as they employ specialist tradesmen for the proactive replacement of two flat roofs at my property in late January 2022. Unfortunately, On the first day of work a tradesman caused damage by stepping through the ceiling. The attempt to cover this damage was two pieces of plasterboard screwed to the joists which I found unacceptable and indicative of a lack of professionalism. After the completion of the roofs, next day I noticed and reported defects on the balcony; specifically, a section of lead cover flashing was not properly installed into a channel and was merely held in place by sealant to brickwork. While I appreciate the prompt response to remedy this issue by channelling out the missed section and replacing the sealant with mortar and applying filler to the gaps left around the plasterboard on the utility room ceiling.
In September 2022, after experiencing the first heavy rainfall of the year, water ingress occurred in our porch area. LJB returned to repoint the flashings on both roofs due to what Lee described as failed mortar work as the cement used 'it was stamped in date but was not'?. However, on a subsequent visit November 2022 after another ingress revealed further issues; notably, Lee and his son found a broken joint in the rain water downpipe which they attributed to me. It is important to note that it would have been impossible to remove the old roof covering and install a new covering, without lifting the ridged downpipe as it rested on the nose of the roof. Sealant was then applied by Lee to most felt edges in order according to Lee's email 'CT1 (not silicone) was put in likely places that the leak could be in order to find the leak – once I know where the leak is I can do more to resolve the problem'.
I repaired the downpipe promptly, yet I had another ingress, I made an official complaint to LJB and instructed a surveyor's report which outlined necessary recommendations. LJB failed to fulfil these recommendations adequately on two separate visits during Dec 2022.Following legal advice in February 2023 I requested a follow-up inspection by the surveyor, his report confirmed that areas of the work required were not undertaken and incomplete despite assurances from LJB all work had been completed. A time frame was then agreed for LJB to return and complete the recommendations they failed to return within the time they had specified.
After terminating the contract I employed a another company, it became evident to them within minuets after removing LJB's lead flashing that critical mistakes had been made during the LJB roof installation on the balcony most notably covering an air brick with their lead cover flashing and failing to link the cover flashing to the cavity wall tray. This oversight resulted in the leaks into our home. Building regulations state that at roof abutment, linking the cover flashing to the cavity wall tray ensures any penetrating water is directed to the outside and not into the inner leaf of the building.
21 February 2024 I sought redress through the county court under section 49 of the CRA, February 17 2025 I received a settlement offer from LJB'S non executive Director, which I accepted. However, days after. Lee required I sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before any settlement payment would be made, LJB missed the agreed payment date.
It is disappointing that instead of acknowledging mistakes , there seems to be an expectation that LJB clients remain silent about their experiences especially when LJB provide substandard work.
I believe it is crucial for LJB Lee Botting Ltd to recognise they cannot fail to take responsibility when things go wrong. I hope Lee will take this feedback seriously and improve upon the service delivered by himself, fellow directors, office staff and his tradesmen and not resort to self victimisation. 'Reputable' and "Build better" as quoted on their website are just empty words in my three year nightmare experience of LJB.

So very disappointed as requested to speak to the manager after a job was completed and was told by his office ‘he won’t call you back’. I was gobsmacked! I’ve emailed twice and still not had a reply to either emails let alone the phone call. Shocked is an understatement! Why do they not reply? Lee seemed so genuine and nice. They’ve left me no choice but to share this terrible experience. I had to get another Eastbourne company out to rectify the problem LJB Botting had caused. Beware! ☹️

Only had a small job done putting in a Cellar hatch & Steps,but the Carpenter did a lovely job! And done exactly what we wanted. He was on time, tidy, & quality workmanship showed at the finish at a good price.wouldn’t hesitate to use again thanks

Lee came to us in September 2022 as we had noticed a brown mark on our chimney breast where it joins the ceiling, he took a photo from the ground of the front and side of our chimney. He showed this to us and said the side flashing needed anttention and new flaunching put round the chimney pot. We accepted his quote and the work was carried out. We agreed a time but the work was done earlier than arranged so we were not home. We left the patch area for a few weeks to ensure that it had dried out before we painted it. When we had rain late 2022 the patch had come back so we called Lee and he came back. He told us that the leak was fixed and it was just the old stain. My husband waited until Spring 2023 and then applied a stain blocker. The same stain reappeared later and again Lee came back and repeated that it was the plaster and that we needed to remove and re plaster which my husband agreed he would do as he used to be a plasterer. We waited as we were concerned about the heavy rains we have had throughout the winter. Early this year my husband removed a large section of the chimney breast and re plastered but again the stain came back in exactly the same place. Lee came out again and said more plaster needed to be removed and maintained that was the problem saying that if it wasn’t he would come back again. We agreed that he should do the work. This was done a week later but when his son, who did the work, removed a portion of the ceiling he found that it was soaking behind and pulled out lots of soggy lagging. We said that we thought this needed further investigation but he said that he believed it was the cowl that was the problem and proceeded to complete the work and payment was made to him that day. Overnight it rained and in the morning there was a much larger damp patch on not only the chimney breast but also now on the ceiling. It was the weekend so on Monday we called and another man attended who went onto the roof and came down with some close up photos which he showed us and then took back to Lee who emailed to say that the leak was from the back of the chimney and also that the chimney had cracked and so had the new flaunching. His son also came back that day and we reminded him that we were concerned about the wet lagging and he said again that he had told us it was the cowl he believed was letting in water. At this point we lost confidence in this company as Lee should have had someone go up on the roof from day 1 and not relied on a photo taken from the ground which only showed the front and side. He should also have checked the roof on one of the 4 visits he made after the work was supposedly done. His son should have stopped work once it was apparent that there was water ingress instead of plastering it over. We invited several companies to come and assess the chimney and quote for the repairs to be done. From this we had several photos and videos which showed that the leak at the back and the crack that Lee had referred to were not on our side of the chimney which is shared with our neighbour. As the ones sent by Lee had been closeups this fact was hidden from us.This meant that the new works Lee quoted for included our neighbours side. In addition we were told that the cracks on the flaunching were because the wrong sand had been used, instead of a mix with sharp sand ordinary builders sand had been used and not only was the flaunching cracked it had not adhered to the brickwork. We relayed all this to Lee who maintained that what he done was correct and said it complied with NHBC regulations. He later said that his son had told us the leak was coming from the back of the chimney but this was not the case at all and we had already told Lee his son had said twice it was the cowl - which incidentally has nothing to do with the problems. One of the builders managed to make a temporary repair on his visit - free of charge - which has greatly improved matters but some water is still getting in with all the rain we have had. Lee made no attempt to do this for us despite assuring us that if he was wrong about the plaster he would come back. I checked online and read all the information on NHBC website and there was nothing specifying builder’s sand could be used for flaunching and so I asked repeatedly for the appropriate NHBC passage that Lee claimed showed he was correct but he has failed to provide this. I also asked on 2 occasions whether he would come back and redo the plastering if it has been compromised by the rain as his warranty states but he has declined to answer this. We are now in a worse position than we started, probably having to pay again for the area to be replastered.

I really am at a loss to understand why this company has received bad reviews, as our experience was first class.
The office staff were very polite, efficient and kept us informed at all stages of the work.
Lee came and gave an estimate and within two days two of his employees came to carry out the work.
They again were polite and efficient and did an excellent job of repairing our roof.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them to anybody.

Since writing this initial review we arranged for further roofing work to be carried out and were equally pleased with the service and efficiency.

The workmen were great but the office staff and owners obviously had extensive training in how to be rude to customers. Very poor communication. would never use again it has sullied the whole experience

Awful, awful owner of a business. We agreed to repair work being done on our property roof and gutter. When it started leaking, we were told it wasn't his problem and when I asked for them to repair the further damage they had caused, as I had spent a lot of money on the repair he turned on me making threats he would 'taken me to the police for harrassment'. I have never had such a poor experience, and it is sad as the office staff were lovely. Steer clear

Our experience was very good. Reasonably priced quote to knock two rooms into one and create a bespoke media wall. All members of the team were great and we are very happy with what was created.

Recently bought a bungalow that had a new roof from LJB. Quote was £21500 (to sellers estate) to include some rafter feet replacement that were rotten. Other quotes were cheaper, but LJB availability was sooner so that we could complete on the sale sooner. Other quotes £3k cheaper, detailed work that included new tiles, felt, battens, dry ridge etc. Fully expected LJB work to be the same. 2 guys on site, one week, used cheap felt, reused old tiles and patched in new, cheap dry verge detail. Asbestos from the roof left at my address although quote detailed allowance to clear waste. Roof looks awful, sellers estate paid for the roof prior to our possession. Will now need to reroof as part of our plans in order to look acceptable. We have not inspected inside the roof void yet to see exactly what has been replaced, so will probably add to this review once we have had a look. We were looking to use them for an extension, but after this, we wouldn't touch them if they paid us.

Always punctual
Working all day, in all weathers
Job was finished to a great standard
Friendly and helpful workers
Would definitely recommend!

We use LJB due to them being a large company and after assurances the work would be completed to a high standard. The quote included replacing/repairing all rotten joists and floorboards. Unfortunately they failed to do this and 2 weeks after work stopped, we now have mould growing in our brand new kitchen and toilet. This is because they did not complete the work they had quoted for. My daughter is disabled and my other daughter was born with 1 kidney and now we are unable to use these rooms due to the black mould. We paid over 12k and are so upset. We held back money due to their many failures, including bodging a tower unit in the kitchen where nothing was straight, agreeing to fit a radiator then refusing then agreeing again. Breaking my integrated washing machine by rounding off the screw hole by using a power tool, leaving loose plaster and scrim tape where they have decided to drill through new plaster and didn't sort it out. They fitted a stopcock which cannot be accessed due to it being too close to the washing machine. They had been back for 'corrections' 2 times however their corrections were very poor and bodged. I will be taking this further as I now have an uninhabitable kitchen and toilet. Please do yourself a favour and choose a reputable builder who will take pride in their work...unless you want to spend thousands more putting right their work.

Update:

On reading your reply I’m quite shocked at how you have twisted things to make yourself a victim here? My husband called and spoke to you on first day as you were project managing - you asked us to get quotes from your subcontractors so we can pay separately as you requested this but you agreed to project manage them as in your t&c’s you state if any delays we are liable so before we agreed on quote, we asked that you project manage as we won’t know when to get in these trades to tie in with your workmen - you agreed in emails to organise and manage them which you are well aware. On the first day one guy asked if they were bringing wall back so far as pipes in the way, I explained your plumber would be coming in to remove and he didn’t know anything about this nor told where to bring wall back to which should have been flush as we explained false wall. He rang just to make sure everyone on same page and was polite but Lee kept shouting “what do you want!?” My husband had zero reason to lie about being shouted at to me and was shocked for days and said if your guys hadn’t already knocked walls down he would have asked you to leave. Who shouts at new customer on first day of job? That put whole job on sour note. They also got wrong size beam (or didn’t tell us it would stick out 60mm on one side which looks stupid!) The flooring was supposed to be seamless, you took out a small wall and had 2.5m2 of our engineered oak flooring not cheap laminate flooring !! which there was plenty of and instead of clicking it together being “tongue and groove” they decided to literally cut it in and it was damaged in places, bounces on walking on as not even clicked together on most parts, not level and left in terrible state as was solid before. I didn’t say I was happy at all - I was bouncing on it and he said he couldn’t do anymore - so insaid awkward “oh ok” as the guy was embarrassed and I think he didn’t have time to do properly and had sheet covering most of it as plasterer coming in next to fill small section of wall. Who by the way totally agreed with me that it was not good and needed fixing and said they should have taken up rest of flooring and it would have clicked back together nicely. We sent photos and videos and asked originally for them to come and fix it to which Lee (who replied to this) sent me invoice instead saying we wanted the floor to be cut in !? Seriously ? There was NO offering to sort this out at all and I have all the emails as proof. I replied to his invoice email saying our offer of them fixing was now over and they can either deduct some money for damages they caused, wait until we get quotes for 3 tradesmen to fix their mistake AND give us their view on your work and they can deduct middle quote price or we go to the ombudsman etc - they very quickly chose first option - again I have emails. Money was never an issue - we just wanted a good job. That is why we paid the highest quote (yours!) and you knocked some money off as you know it will cost us MORE to put it right. Shocking attitude for a company that this should have been an easy job. Look up his other reviews where he claims they are fake. I wish I had listened to the bad ones now but he seemed nice on first appearance. Oh and the reason we didn’t want to pay 50% before you even entered our house was obviously the right choice - we did offer staged payments so on day one you would have had £2k but you said don’t worry !
To sum up - we asked for a small structural wall taken out to leave flush wall for dresser and the floor to be laid seamlessly as we provided you flooring. What we are left with is half the wall gone only so no dresser can go there now, damaged bouncey floor that we have to pay someone else to correct AND now a dodgy steel lintel sticking out. 🙄

Original review:
Firstly on a positive, the office staff were lovely and so were all his guys. His subcontractors Ricky the plumber and Callum the electrician were brilliant too.

Shame Lee felt the need to shout at us on the morning they arrived for phoning and asking what the plan of action was for upcoming works as he was project managing our job. This made dialogue impossible after so had to liaise with ladies in the office instead. Not a nice man and did not manage to do actual job we asked for as he didn’t tell the guys what they should have been doing and now we will have to get in another tradesman to fix his mistakes. We did offer for him to come and fix these obvious mistakes but instead he sent us the invoice. I hope he doesn’t claim not to have a clue who we are like other negative reviews left online. 🙄

Last September, we were quoted over £4,000 to weatherproof a traditional lead lined gulley after experiencing water ingress in heavy rain situations. LJB Botting came to the job with 2 men, who were on site for 5.5 hours. That was it! When I challenged the time taken in relation to how much we were charged and asked for a break down of charges + a warranty, this was turned down. The first test (heavy rain) came last month (August 2022) and nothing had been resolved, with the same water ingress. When contacted, LJB Botting didn’t want to know and said that if we wanted them to have a look, they’d charge us.
Nothing short of appalling all round. AVOID.