Hello
During a recent stay in Apt 13 we had a knock on the door from another owner who was staying in one of the few refurbished studios/apartments. He was somewhat distraught over what he described as a “botched,sub-standard” change (his words, not mine!). He likened the changes to a Travelodge and was disappointed it had lost all its Scottish feel. He was canvassing opinions and I suggested he passed on his comments to the committee. Clearly this might be of concern to all other apartment/studio owners. I have seen pictures of lodge refurbishments and those of said apartment refurbishment and they appear worlds apart!! The solid wood kitchen appears to have been painted. Really??
As an apartment owner I would expect the same quality/design changes as those introduced to Highland/Otter/Red Squirrel lodges over recent years. I would be interested to hear the committee’s opinions and those of other owners of the refurbished apartment/studio
Proposed refurbishment of apartments
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cliffhunter
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:38 pm
Hi,
I own Apt 9, Wk 36 – personally, I think the refurb on these is great and is far from botched or substandard. He has not passed on any concerns\comments to the committee.
Yes, the kitchen units have been painted – this was done as an alternative to a full replacement as the current kitchen units are still in excellent condition, but were tired & dated, and helps keep the cost down. The finish looks great and is a similar color to the units used in Pine Marten (but at a fraction of the cost new). We plan to use this across the site unless there is a kitchen that we have no choice but to replace in full.
We have standardized the style & design we will be using across the site for various reasons which include making refurbishments easier to cost and, primarily, to make ongoing maintenance easier & more cost effective in to the future. The high standard will be throughout the site – previously refurbishments were a mishmash of styles and designs which has made ongoing maintenance a challenge to say the least!
Refurbishment is an essential part of the club and, unfortunately, it is not possible to please everyone.
Cliff Hunter
Chair & IT Lead
I own Apt 9, Wk 36 – personally, I think the refurb on these is great and is far from botched or substandard. He has not passed on any concerns\comments to the committee.
Yes, the kitchen units have been painted – this was done as an alternative to a full replacement as the current kitchen units are still in excellent condition, but were tired & dated, and helps keep the cost down. The finish looks great and is a similar color to the units used in Pine Marten (but at a fraction of the cost new). We plan to use this across the site unless there is a kitchen that we have no choice but to replace in full.
We have standardized the style & design we will be using across the site for various reasons which include making refurbishments easier to cost and, primarily, to make ongoing maintenance easier & more cost effective in to the future. The high standard will be throughout the site – previously refurbishments were a mishmash of styles and designs which has made ongoing maintenance a challenge to say the least!
Refurbishment is an essential part of the club and, unfortunately, it is not possible to please everyone.
Cliff Hunter
Chair & IT Lead
I used app 13 in week 8 and was horrified at the quality of the unit, it had hardly changed in the 30 years since purchased. Was taken to view some of the work being done in pine martin 1 and 2 bed units and the difference was marked.
The heating was antiquated and inefficient the cost of electricity outrageous. Why are some units being upgraded to a high standard and some being done on the cheap. I paid almost £500.00 for that(fees plus electric) for a 50 sq m flat and those with updated units are paying almost half that ( on a sq m basis) how can that be justified and will these differences be rectified.
Alanb
The heating was antiquated and inefficient the cost of electricity outrageous. Why are some units being upgraded to a high standard and some being done on the cheap. I paid almost £500.00 for that(fees plus electric) for a 50 sq m flat and those with updated units are paying almost half that ( on a sq m basis) how can that be justified and will these differences be rectified.
Alanb
Cliff Hunter surely you are joking! We'd have more chance of finding a Yeti than contacting a committee member these days!
Id like to know why are members with lodges which haven't been refurbished at all still having to pay full fees, the same as members whose lodges have had refurbishments costing tens of thousands? I have emailed the "current" and previous committees several times about this but emails disappear into a black hole yet again.
Now you say above that kitchen units are basically getting doors painted? Why not at least replace the doors with new ones, if the carcases are ok? This costs very little compared to full replacements, and I'm sure there are local companies who would be glad of the sales just now.
We really cannot afford to skimp on the refurbishments. They don't have to go overboard but you just need to look at other timeshare/rental resorts in the surrounding area to see that we have fallen behind. My friend's lodge was fully refurbished 7 years ago and some are still to be started! And yet we've been paying the same fees all along. Even a token reduction of say 10% would be a nice gesture.
Id like to know why are members with lodges which haven't been refurbished at all still having to pay full fees, the same as members whose lodges have had refurbishments costing tens of thousands? I have emailed the "current" and previous committees several times about this but emails disappear into a black hole yet again.
Now you say above that kitchen units are basically getting doors painted? Why not at least replace the doors with new ones, if the carcases are ok? This costs very little compared to full replacements, and I'm sure there are local companies who would be glad of the sales just now.
We really cannot afford to skimp on the refurbishments. They don't have to go overboard but you just need to look at other timeshare/rental resorts in the surrounding area to see that we have fallen behind. My friend's lodge was fully refurbished 7 years ago and some are still to be started! And yet we've been paying the same fees all along. Even a token reduction of say 10% would be a nice gesture.
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cliffhunter
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:38 pm
Hi Mrs. McClukie,
I can assure you that if you try and contact the committee a reply will be returned – the office are extremely good at passing on any e-mails that require committee attention, though it may take a few days before a reply is forthcoming due to the committee being made up of volunteers and having responsibilities other the club commitments. At the start of the year we did have issues with the club e-mail addresses – these issues have all now be rectified and e-mails no longer disappear into black holes.
The committee looked at various options for the kitchens in apt 9 & 10 and the decision was made to trial painting the doors rather than either fully replacing or replacing only the doors - if we felt that painting had not worked as hoped and that another option should be looked at then this would have been done. Ultimately while replacing the doors costs very little compared to full replacements, painting is even more cost effective and gives a very good look.
We have no intention of skimping on refurbishments – but we have to make the best use of the money we have for these, which does mean looking at the most cost effective options and, if they prove effective, using these were possible.
We will be looking at the maintenance fee structure at the next committee meeting to review how these are calculated and introduce a fairer system based on square footage & condition of the lodge – once a decision has been made all members will be advised.
Thanks
Cliff Hunter
Chair & IT lead
I can assure you that if you try and contact the committee a reply will be returned – the office are extremely good at passing on any e-mails that require committee attention, though it may take a few days before a reply is forthcoming due to the committee being made up of volunteers and having responsibilities other the club commitments. At the start of the year we did have issues with the club e-mail addresses – these issues have all now be rectified and e-mails no longer disappear into black holes.
The committee looked at various options for the kitchens in apt 9 & 10 and the decision was made to trial painting the doors rather than either fully replacing or replacing only the doors - if we felt that painting had not worked as hoped and that another option should be looked at then this would have been done. Ultimately while replacing the doors costs very little compared to full replacements, painting is even more cost effective and gives a very good look.
We have no intention of skimping on refurbishments – but we have to make the best use of the money we have for these, which does mean looking at the most cost effective options and, if they prove effective, using these were possible.
We will be looking at the maintenance fee structure at the next committee meeting to review how these are calculated and introduce a fairer system based on square footage & condition of the lodge – once a decision has been made all members will be advised.
Thanks
Cliff Hunter
Chair & IT lead
We had the doors/drawer fronts to our kitchen units replaced 3-4 years ago by a Company specialising in this. We're delighted with the results and they were very professional, measurements precise and loads of fronts and handles to choose from. They were fitted on time, in half a day and look fantastic. Maybe food for thought if the units themselves are solid/in good condition?