Testimonials
I use it as a home office. Warm in winter, cool in summer. The lads on-site were great. The video call walkthrough beforehand sealed the deal for me.
Review based entirely on my own experience with Spikeows. I was fully aware after ordering that other people have had issues and they aren't getting anywhere with Spikeows but I decided to proceed with our order after conversations and re-assurances from Simon about the install teams and workload.
Ordered a 20ft x 9ft composite build on the 4th March and paid the deposit with PayPal, I had spoken to Simon on the phone earlier that day and we were provisionally booked for an install on the 31st March.
After paying the deposit I had confirmation it was received but then it went pretty quiet after that, communication is a massive problem (hence the 4 stars and not 5). Did end up speaking to Simon about 4 or 5 times in total though, twice of those times on a video call when I had a tour of Spikeows and also for when we had some last minute changes to our base (I had it extended by 1.5ft).
I made multiple changes to the build as I started to visualise the interior in my head which I communicated to Spikeows, moving the window and doors twice and also added an extra foot so finally ended up with a 20ft x 10ft composite build instead of a 20ft x 9ft.
As I suspected would happen the install on the 31st March was delayed, Simon did give a few days notice as I'd booked the day off work for it and gave me a new install date of the 8th April straight away. I had a call on the 7th April from Simon as they were about to start my build that morning and wanted to make sure it was exactly as I'd requested, delivery and install was also put back a day to the 9th April at this point.
On the morning of the 8th April I received a message from Nova advising delivery and install was put back to the 10th April and their fitters would be with me between 7am and 8am. Just after 8am (I'm impatient) on the 10th I sent a WhatsApp message as no-one had arrived, I received a message straight back with a picture showing the fitters were about 30 mins away.
Carl and Rich arrived around 8:30am, I showed them the base and left them to it for most of the day. I asked a few questions towards the end of the build and was shown how to adjust the doors if they ever stick and was given some advice on possibly adding guttering to the rear and recommendations on insulation, boarding and electrics. Also showed me some pictures of previous builds they'd done. I got the impression these were Spikeows best installers as I'd seen them on some promo videos on Facebook over the last few months. They eventually left just after 4pm and didn't have a break all the time they were there. It was a red hot day as well and the sun hits exactly where they were working.
Had some heavy rain recently and no issues at all, dry as a bone inside. Insulated it myself this weekend using 50mm PIR insulation board, next step is electrics fix 1 and then I'll board it out and get the floor down. If I did it again I'd definitely consider paying the fitters to do it and pay the extra money!!
Tried to leave a link to my build but they aren't allowed, if you are interested you'll find it on Spikeows Facebook page posted 13 April at 08:19. I'll update it with progress pictures as we go.
Very happy at the moment.
Ordered a 20ft x 9ft composite build on the 4th March and paid the deposit with PayPal, I had spoken to Simon on the phone earlier that day and we were provisionally booked for an install on the 31st March.
After paying the deposit I had confirmation it was received but then it went pretty quiet after that, communication is a massive problem (hence the 4 stars and not 5). Did end up speaking to Simon about 4 or 5 times in total though, twice of those times on a video call when I had a tour of Spikeows and also for when we had some last minute changes to our base (I had it extended by 1.5ft).
I made multiple changes to the build as I started to visualise the interior in my head which I communicated to Spikeows, moving the window and doors twice and also added an extra foot so finally ended up with a 20ft x 10ft composite build instead of a 20ft x 9ft.
As I suspected would happen the install on the 31st March was delayed, Simon did give a few days notice as I'd booked the day off work for it and gave me a new install date of the 8th April straight away. I had a call on the 7th April from Simon as they were about to start my build that morning and wanted to make sure it was exactly as I'd requested, delivery and install was also put back a day to the 9th April at this point.
On the morning of the 8th April I received a message from Nova advising delivery and install was put back to the 10th April and their fitters would be with me between 7am and 8am. Just after 8am (I'm impatient) on the 10th I sent a WhatsApp message as no-one had arrived, I received a message straight back with a picture showing the fitters were about 30 mins away.
Carl and Rich arrived around 8:30am, I showed them the base and left them to it for most of the day. I asked a few questions towards the end of the build and was shown how to adjust the doors if they ever stick and was given some advice on possibly adding guttering to the rear and recommendations on insulation, boarding and electrics. Also showed me some pictures of previous builds they'd done. I got the impression these were Spikeows best installers as I'd seen them on some promo videos on Facebook over the last few months. They eventually left just after 4pm and didn't have a break all the time they were there. It was a red hot day as well and the sun hits exactly where they were working.
Had some heavy rain recently and no issues at all, dry as a bone inside. Insulated it myself this weekend using 50mm PIR insulation board, next step is electrics fix 1 and then I'll board it out and get the floor down. If I did it again I'd definitely consider paying the fitters to do it and pay the extra money!!
Tried to leave a link to my build but they aren't allowed, if you are interested you'll find it on Spikeows Facebook page posted 13 April at 08:19. I'll update it with progress pictures as we go.
Very happy at the moment.
Im generally happy with the purchase, but there are a couple of things that have prevented me from leaving 5 stars.
The guys completing the work (Luke & Rich) had it tough in the morning with the rain but didn't slow down (but I noticed before they left one side of the roof had daylight showing through (between roof & wall), they put an extra piece of wood in and said that will fix it.
A couple of days later I could still say the daylight, and upon further inspection I noticed that the whole of the side panel moved if I lent on it as it hadn't been fixed to the roof like the other side.
I sent a message to Simon, in hope of speaking to him and asking the best way to fix but even though he read the message, he never replied.
I fixed it, so it is secure and believe all will be ok - I haven't had any water coming through as yet so im happy with the build and it looks great.
but it does make me doubt their word of the warranties shown on their website if there ever was a problem - but hopefully it wont get to that.
from about 2pm on the day of install, I received calls & messages from Simon to make the outstanding payment even though the build wasn't finished.
I waited until the lads had finished and I had checked it (after they patched up) but was told they wouldn't be leaving until payment was made - I was hoping to wait a day or 2 so I could check it in more detail.
Apart from this I Am happy with the quality of the cabin.
The guys completing the work (Luke & Rich) had it tough in the morning with the rain but didn't slow down (but I noticed before they left one side of the roof had daylight showing through (between roof & wall), they put an extra piece of wood in and said that will fix it.
A couple of days later I could still say the daylight, and upon further inspection I noticed that the whole of the side panel moved if I lent on it as it hadn't been fixed to the roof like the other side.
I sent a message to Simon, in hope of speaking to him and asking the best way to fix but even though he read the message, he never replied.
I fixed it, so it is secure and believe all will be ok - I haven't had any water coming through as yet so im happy with the build and it looks great.
but it does make me doubt their word of the warranties shown on their website if there ever was a problem - but hopefully it wont get to that.
from about 2pm on the day of install, I received calls & messages from Simon to make the outstanding payment even though the build wasn't finished.
I waited until the lads had finished and I had checked it (after they patched up) but was told they wouldn't be leaving until payment was made - I was hoping to wait a day or 2 so I could check it in more detail.
Apart from this I Am happy with the quality of the cabin.
We had a few back and forths with dates, but the team kept us informed. The finished garden room is warm, clean, and looks amazing. A video call really helped explain the process.
There was a bit of a delay, but to be fair they were up front about it from the start. Once the install began, they were fast and professional. The video call before ordering gave me confidence—they clearly know what they’re doing.
No delays, quick and tidy install, and the building is rock solid. Honestly couldn’t fault them.