Nice designs, but very rude and unprofessional Director! AVOID!!!
The materials and designs are what drew our attention initially. We were interested in a new forest school consisting of a mud kitchen, water play pulley system and outdoor classroom and liked the natural look to blend with the surrounding environment at the school. The employee who reviewed the designs and evaluated our space with us was very friendly and a contract was signed by both parties.
About 1-2 weeks until the project was to start, an inspection by another employee was conducted which at this late stage we assumed was just to make measurements as a formality. It was rather disappointing to learn that some major design changes were to take place post-inspection and that materials had already been ordered, putting us in a precarious position during a busy time of year to approve these changes even though they weren't as what was agreed by both parties in the contract. A new proposal was sent 1.5 business days before the installation was to begin and we didn't have time to review them in any detail nor was it made clear to us that we could delay the project to give us more time for evaluation as materials had already been ordered etc. When installation was complete, the team left and we weren't invited to review the work to share feedback.
The outdoor classroom design changes decided by Natural Playscapes made it so that it was no longer safe to use for the children and we notified them promptly. We explained what the issues were and how we would like the team to correct the issues via e-mail. There was also 10% payment outstanding which we stated that we wouldn't pay until the corrections could be made. When a call was returned, the CEO refused to speak to me and wanted to speak to my colleague. A video call was organised with the Director and an employee and myself and my colleague, the Director was very unprofessional and aggressive during the meeting. She wouldn't let me speak, and on multiple occasions when I tried to interject and signaled that I wish to speak by using a facial expression, I was told 'you in the background, I do not appreciate the facial expressions '. I am still in shock that a Director of a company would ever say such a thing to anyone.
After this video call, the Director agreed to come to fix the area (5 months after we stated we were dissatisfied). It puzzles me as to why a Director would behave in this way if they were intending on fixing the issue anyway. Having worked in customer service myself for years, I would have been fired if I ever treated a customer this way. I am appalled by the Director's behaviour. We have projects in the works and I can safely say that we will not be using Natural Playscapes.