MARC GREENHILL

A Christchurch woman says she was bullied by contractors repairing her earthquake-damaged home days before Christmas and while her daughter suffered life-threatening pregnancy complications.

Work by Fletcher-appointed contractors began on Lisa Hindson’s Linwood home on September 3 after it had suffered quake damage three times since September 2010.

She said the repairs had been fast-tracked because her pregnant daughter, who lived at the house, had a medical condition.

Work was expected to be completed by October 31 but, when family members were ready to return, the contractors were behind schedule by nearly three weeks, she said.

Hindson moved back to the house on December 3 after being told it was near completion, but tradesmen were “in and out” until December 17.

She complained about “substandard” work, which included the house not being level after repiling, varnish stains on the carpet and raw sewage seeping under the house after services were reinstated.

“The [contractors] connected the sewerage, but they forgot to take the polystyrene packing out that they put in to block it while it was in the air. Everything that’s gone down my toilet since December 23 has gone under my floor,” Hindson said.

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) did not respond to her five complaints and the Fletcher hub at Woolston had not been helpful, she said.

Hindson said she became upset when attempts were made to pressure her into signing off the repairs on December 17 because the subcontractors would not be paid before Christmas if she did not.

“I was to sign it off on the 14th [of December], but I declined. They used bullying and standover tactics to get me to sign. The [Fletcher] project manager said if he’s happy with the work that’s been done, he can sign it off.”

Her daughter’s baby was delivered stillborn on December 19 and her daughter spent a week in intensive care because of major blood loss.

“This house was pushed through because we had an impending birth and it was a high-risk pregnancy. I had medical certificates to prove it and they mucked us around and stressed us out,” Hindson said.

There had been no contact from Fletcher or the EQC since the contractors left last month, she said.

“Somebody has to be taken to task for this. I’ve got a lot energy and a lot of knowledge to fight them back, but I feel for the people who haven’t and the people who put their trust in someone who wrecked their house,” Hindson said.

Fletcher EQR general manager David Peterson said the company was investigating.

– © Fairfax NZ News