Cralux

I would like to share my experience with Cralux regarding the facade insulation and crepi on our home in Stabroek. Unfortunately, the collaboration was far from positive. The works lasted no less than two years and resulted in multiple cases of damage. Promise after promise was not kept, and we are still waiting for compensation. The communication was downright chaotic and we were pressured to pay within a few days. A planned facade plinth was simply painted black, with an absurdly high bill afterwards. We are now in a legal dispute because all communication and compensations are ignored, despite confirmed agreements. It is a shame, because the workers themselves are competent, but the higher management seems to act fraudulently. So be careful if you do business with them.

We chose Cralux to insulate the facades and replace a gutter and Velux window at our home on Bethaniëlei in Brasschaat. Unfortunately, the experience was not great. The quality of the work was disappointing, with a sloppy finish that was immediately noticeable. In addition, the communication was anything but clear and this caused a lot of confusion during the work. The planning was also chaotic, which meant that the work took longer than expected. The staff was friendly, that must be said. Unfortunately, the price was also not what we expected, with additional costs that showed up at the last minute. Overall, a disappointing experience.

I had high expectations of Cralux for insulating our facades, but I am disappointed. The gutter and Velux window also had to be replaced, but that has not yet been done. Unfortunately, the gutter is now leaking into the insulation and over the new render, causing the interior walls to become damp. The Velux window is also still leaking. We have called and emailed numerous times since July, but nothing has been resolved. The planning team seems chaotic and communication is confusing. Miraculously, the invoices always find their way to us. I wonder if Cralux cannot do the job or simply does not feel like doing it. Despite a fair price, I would not recommend Cralux because of the poor quality of their work and the unprofessional approach.

Cralux, unless you have too much money and time, do not start a project with them!! When requesting a quote, you will get an immediate response, always very friendly and they will try to help you (many promises are made). Once you agree to the quote, you will receive the advance invoice within a week, in which they once again emphasize that it is best to pay this as soon as possible if you want to get on schedule quickly. (a fast service was the deciding factor for me to work with them, they are not cheap) When the advance invoice has been paid, you will already receive a different 'provisional' date of execution than was first agreed. 1 month before the start of the works, you will normally be contacted to schedule a final site visit, instead of a site visit you will receive a message that the schedule has been postponed and that you must respond to the email within 2 days if you do not agree with this. After the response, you will receive a message that you will be contacted soon to set a date. No contact is ever made, the only way to get some information is to call yourself (but the information is never correct, you are transferred without really knowing more) in the meantime. In the meantime 3 months further of weekly calling, emailing without any response. Very disappointed and frustrated!

We are very pleased with the work of Cralux on our front and back facade in Berchem. The insulation with crepi looks fantastic and gives our house a modern look. You would think it was newly built! The finishing is taken care of down to the last detail, and the workers were very professional and always left everything neat. Unfortunately, the final finishing took a little longer due to the many rainy days, but they couldn't help that. Communication was sometimes a bit difficult due to the language barrier, but they did their utmost to understand us. In short, excellent quality and a fair price for a beautiful result!

**Score: 4 out of 5** We were generally very satisfied with Cralux for installing our outdoor insulation and crepi in Dendermonde. The quality of their work was truly excellent and we admired their attention to detail. The end result simply exuded high-end workmanship. Moreover, they were friendly and always kept the work environment clean. The only caveat is that the planning, with the associated confusing communication, was frustrating. On the day of the start (unannounced), we received a telephone call at 8:30 am "our workers are on site, you can give them access and make utilities available". At a later stage, it was reported by telephone three days in advance that further finishing work would continue. We confirmed and received an email with the date and time for further processing. Unfortunately no one showed up. I called myself to find out what was going on. Something had come up. However, a phone call that the case could not go ahead as planned was not possible. Cralux does excellent work. Their foreign-born staff is very friendly and tries to communicate with you as best they can. If you have any questions or comments, they will try to solve this themselves/carry out the way you want it to happen. Price quality is very good. You just have to take poor administrative planning into account. There is also some staff turnover, which makes a very smooth follow-up difficult. I would like to thank the project leaders Alban and Marsi.

**Company:** Cralux **Score:** 5 out of 5 **Works carried out:** Insulating exterior facades and finishing with crepi **Location:** Mechelen **Review:** Cralux has done a fantastic job with the insulation and finishing our exterior facades in Mechelen! The quality is excellent and their eye for detail is top notch. Due to the extreme weather conditions we had to wait a little longer for the final finish, but it was worth it. The result is truly astonishing. The team were incredibly friendly and professional, and they always left the site clean. Absolutely great! .

Below is a brief overview: 7/2/2023 quotation signed and forwarded 13/02/2023 advance invoice received and paid on the same day. work planned for 6/23 --> After insistence, this was rescheduled after the construction leave 8/23. We didn't hear anything until mid-August, so we had to call again, we were told it would be before October/November 2023. An email was sent on 21/8/2023 stating that the works will continue in December 2023. On 25/09/23 an email was sent stating that the works will be carried out in February 2024 due to persistent bad weather. Sent an email the same day with our concerns. (received email back on 9/26/23 that this would be discussed internally) Called numerous times in November 2023 to hear the exact schedule for February 2024, no answer. On 20/12/2023 I sent an email to no avail before the construction leave started. No answer. Somewhere in January 2024 I got hold of someone from the planning department, works were planned for 10/2/2024. The work was canceled a week before the planned works because the person responsible had not reserved a public space, although he was informed of this during the telephone call. Planning the works on Saturday 09/3/2024 09/3/2024 at 1:00 PM: no one is there, I call the team leader, who did not know that no one was there, calls his people and says they are coming. 09/3/2024 2:00 PM: Team Cralux has arrived, but they say that it is better not to remove the window sills because this is too difficult/delicate (choice) work, BUT we did request new window sills in our quotation, which, with consultation from the representative, was no problem to achieve. After talking to the team leader by telephone (the Cralux team spoke little English/French), the window sills were removed. 09/3/2024 17:30: work is stopped and they say they will come either Monday or Tuesday, depending on the weather. What I should do with my work is not a problem in itself, right? Monday 11/3/2024: Second advance invoice arrives, which will be paid immediately on the day itself. Team Cralux will be back on Monday 11/3/2024. When breaking out the door sills, bricks fall from the reveal (understandable). However, these are replaced with insulation blocks. We ask to replace these with bricks that we still have lying around: After much discussion, this is done...... with sprayed PU foam!! After sending photos to the team leader on 12/03/2024, they were filled with cement (glue?). EPS insulation is attached with very little cement glue, which means that there should actually be a cold bridge on the side of the facade. We will let you know and the team will fill this in later. However, we were told (by the representative) that the old joints were going to be filled... The 1st phase of the works ends on Thursday 14/03/2024. Primer + Crepi + sills must be installed later (cement glue hardens -> we understand this). And then: nothing.... Called many times, but the bad weather is rightly/wrongly (choose) used as an excuse. 16/05/2024: I will go to the head office myself to express my concern/complaint/displeasure (choose). I talk to the team leader and COO involved and discuss the poor planning, communication and lax execution of the works. I am assured that action will be taken and that this will be resolved quickly. In June 2024 I ask the team leader when the final phase of the works are planned: he assures me at the beginning of July 2024. 3/7/2024: I receive an email with the confirmed date of 17/7/2024: then the works will Get on. 16/7/2024: I receive a telephone message that the work will not continue because..... the sills were damaged during transport and the supplier is on leave during the construction holiday. So the works are scheduled for 8/2024. I doubt the competence of this company and wonder if I see an end to this. It is now 1.5 years and the work is still not finished. After the conversation with the COO, I thought I would now be taken seriously, but this turns out to be just hot air. Also as an aside: I have already had to leave work for several days to be present at the works.

Attention everyone, this company cannot be trusted. They have been tinkering with my house since 2021. Crepi work with different colors. Places where I also see the undercoat finish is of no use. I don't believe the 4.6/5 punt. They also asked me to remove my bad reviews together with the lawyers... they do that to me, they have also asked this to other people. They forgot to install vapor barrier on both roofs. Pay close attention to your quote to ensure that they install everything. They are THIEVES. Worst of all, they don't recognize their mistakes. I myself had an expertise carried out on my house to find out the truth. And the worst thing is that they dare to hide their mistakes and once you know the mistakes they will try to solve them in an easy way. DEFINITELY DON'T BE DONE!!!! It cost me a lawyer and they still don't keep their words. They have now promised me to carry out the work in April, May 2024 for the 3rd time working on my house..... we are July..... still no movement from them...... PS: during the agreement.... Rob will ask you to pay the legal costs yourself!!!!!. DON'T LISTEN (DO NOT ADMIT) MAKE THEM PAY EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEN YOU'RE STILL SITTING... THEY DO NOT KEEP THEIR PROMISES. I AM WORKING WITH MY LAWYER AGAIN... and am asking for compensation if they start their work too late. Write all this down on the agreement. THIS IS A FUCKING COMPANY..... BEST TAKE ANOTHER one.... If you post bad comments on Facebook at Cralux.... they will block you, says enough about a company. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

What a wonderful experience with Cralux! They installed new windows and a front door for us in Menen. The team really paid attention to detail and the planning went smoothly. The price was right and we are very satisfied with the result. The only downside was some confusing communication at times, but that didn't spoil the fun. We would definitely recommend Cralux!