GKR Maintenance & Building Co. Ltd, in partnership with Wales & West Housing Association, has taken customer service to a new level, with a unique door-to-door service as part of its work to improve the service provided to residents. The Caerphilly-based firm is one of the fastest growing maintenance service providers inSouth Walesand boasts WWHA as one of its main clients.

GKR in conjunction with WWHA has introduced a mobile consultation vehicle, which is taken to WWHA schemes, where residents of areas that are being refurbished are invited on board to view kitchen and bathroom suites and choose their colour schemes and styles. It is also used as a base where both GKR’s Resident Liaison Manager, Rachel Humprhreys, and WWHA staff can answer any questions residents may have about work being done in their homes.

Previously consultations were held using a smaller, basic WWHA mobile trailer and in local community halls or church halls. However, these were not always suitable for the elderly or less able-bodied residents, especially in the cold.  The new mobile unit is a brand new fully-modernised facility and will help everybody to access the choices available to them regardless of age or physical ability.

Rachel Humphreys, Resident Liaison Manager, GKR, says: “We take the mobile consultation vehicle to WWHA schemes and areas that are due for a kitchen or bathroom upgrade. We try to get the vehicle as close to people’s doors as possible to make the process a little easier and residents can enjoy the consultation without having to worry about how they are going to get around. The vehicle is also fitted with a disabled lift for our wheel chair using residents.”

She continues “GKR wanted to provide a top quality service on behalf ofWalesand West Housing Association, where residents could benefit from a face-to-face chat about the renovation of their home, which can be an inconvenience for some people. They are also able to choose their own new features from our display units. We believe we are making life a little less stressful for people.”

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive ofWales& West Housing Association, said: “Wales & West Housing Association has enjoyed a long and productive association with GKR dating from 1999.

“The Association is pleased that this relationship will continue and we are confident that by working in partnership real benefits will be delivered to our residents through our programme of kitchen and bathroom renewals in South and West Wales.”

GKR upgrades approximately 500 kitchens and 400 bathrooms each year to WHQS* for Wales and West Housing Association.