Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us:

I think it says a lot about the construction industry which consistently manages to disappoint, annoy, if not behave in a manner that ordinary people would find amazing, that we have had such a long and very successful relationship and are quite clearly set to continue

Darke and Taylor have provided first class professional electrical installations for me over the years. They are professional in their approach and have a friendly demeanour making working with them very easy, I would gladly recommend them.

Could I take this opportunity to praise the hard-working and helpful attitude of your employees.

More detailed references:

Some more detailed references from a few of our clients can be found below:

Further Testimonials and Thanks:

These testimonials and thanks come from a selection of the wide ranging customer base we provide services to:

“I think it says a lot about the construction industry which consistently manages to disappoint, annoy, if not behave in a manner that ordinary people would find amazing, that we have had such a long and very successful relationship and are quite clearly set to continue”
John Cahill, Managing Director, BH&M Architects

“Keiron, I have been meaning to send you this email for some time. I would just like to take the opportunity to compliment your operatives for the manner in which the recent jointing exercise on the University supplies was carried out. I cannot praise highly enough the professionalism shown by your team during this difficult task. Attention to detail and quality was second to none and the focus on Health & Safety during the operation was exemplary. It was without doubt the most efficient and well run exercise I have ever witnessed and it went without a hitch. Can you please pass on my compliments to your team.”
Keith Vance, M&E Manager, Mace Limited

“I would like to express my gratitude for the effort put in by all of your team and in particular Wayne & Bob on site. I fully appreciate the ‘can do’ attitude shown from the outset in overcoming the design and information shortfalls, working within a difficult building and finding solutions as work proceeded. It is a great credit to you that this work was completed within the time period and helped us all to achieve ‘Perfect Delivery’. I understand from conversations with the professional team that they are all extremely impressed as well. Please pass on my sincere thanks to all involved.”
Martin Attewell, Overbury

“I am pleased to inform you your application or reassessment is compliant and is now registered in the CHAS scheme national database. Please note that this application has been one of the best submissions that I have seen for some time (some years) and as such please pass on my thanks and commendations to all involved in creating, assembling, updating and following your safety management system.”
Alan Johnson, Accredited Assessor, Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS)

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your staff a Happy New Year and to say thank you for all your help and support that Darke & Taylor have offered Royal Holloway University of London. Your team has provided an excellent, friendly service, which is delivered on time and is of high quality. Your assistance with technical consultancy, project planning, supply and installation makes my task of managing an evolving enterprise size network simpler.”
Dr Nigel Rata, Network Manager, Royal Holloway University of London

“Following completion of the new Arts and Drama Block at the St Bede’s School, Redhill, I wish to thank Darke & Taylor for the efforts at the very last minute to complete the project sufficiently to allow the school to move in and teach by the 3rd of November as planned. As you are aware, this date has been set for over a year, and with all the emerging problems becoming apparent very late, this was not easy to achieve. I wish to single out Kieron’s efforts and determination to achieve the handover date. His ability to cope with the increasing pressure, stress, lack of information, design errors and motivate his workforce of 16 men was very admirable to watch. In an industry that suffers with a dearth of skilled men, Kieron’s leadership, dedication and integrity motivated his work force to achieve the project completion which often looked impossible. If only more persons of Kieron’s calibre were available as a foreman and tradesman, the construction process would be held in better regard.”
Doug Chivers, The Buxton Group

“We are really grateful for all your help and support to community energy in Oxfordshire”
Barbara Hammond MBE, CEO, Low Carbon Hub

“Dear Tanya, thank you for the receipt. I would like to say what a wonderful and efficient job they did yesterday! Thank you. It is such a wonderful breath of fresh air to know that professionals like this still exist. Please would you kind enough to pass that on to them. Their efficiency also didn’t go unnoticed in the village and the neighbours too (no surprise) so you may be getting more business in the future. I’ve given your details to a couple of people already. Kindest regards.”
Penny Packham, Domestic Solar PV Customer

“The five yearly electrical testing and inspection of the Medawar Building has just been completed. I would like to say how well it has all gone and how helpful and efficient Wayne and Franco from Darke & Taylor have been. This is not an easy Building to test as we have so many containment laboratories and access is difficult because of the security regulations that we have to abide to. However, Wayne and Franco worked closely with myself and other members of the Building and all went extremely well. They were also much more thorough than the last company that did our inspection and found lots of problems that we have had since the Building was opened. I hope that this feedback helps you with future planning of your testing programme. With very best wishes”
Janet Wood, Laboratory/Building Manager, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford

“Thanks Liam, I must say how impressed I have been with the response offered by Darke & Taylor for both reactive work and quote requests.”
Sally Beevor, Strictly Education

“We achieved PC today so a big well done and thank you for the huge effort that all your men and women put in…Again. A big thank you on the splendid effort to achieve PC”
Vincent McEneaney, Technical Services Manager, Fit Out, ISG

“Thanks to you both for your work in concluding the account. It was a pleasure working with Darke & Taylor, and I do hope to work with you both again in the near future. I know the site team are also of a similar opinion.”
Chris Martin, Quantity Surveyor, Morgan Sindall Construction

“Please do pass on my thanks to Ricky and Joel who did a great job on site and worked really well with the home. Please accept my thanks too for all your efforts in pushing this forward.”
Graham Hipwell, Order of St John Care Trust

“Graham and his team at Darke & Taylor are dedicated to delivering best value to help ensure each project they are involved in is completed on time and within budget.”
Philip Turley, Design Manager, Willmott Dixon

“Darke and Taylor have provided first class professional electrical installations for me over the years. They are professional in their approach and have a friendly demeanor making working with them very easy, I would gladly recommend them.”
James Gale, Building Services Manager, Morgan Sindall Construction

“I found Darke & Taylor to be extremely helpful, efficient and personable. I would gladly recommend them and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Kris Wadley. Senior Contracts Manager, Mansell Construction

“Graham is a knowledgeable, proactive individual with a good honest approach, which leads to excellent results.”
Martyn Lambourne, MCIOB, Contracts Administrator, The Traditional Restoration Company

“I worked with D&T on numerous education projects including St Paul’s School. The team is dedicated and keen to ensure the best possible outcome for a project and Client. They will go the extra mile and are very capable. D&T have been a pleasure to work with and I would happily work with them again.”
Matt Weyham, Senior Project Architect, Osell Architecture

“Just want to say a big thank you for all the work you put in over the summer, it went really well and I will be asking for you to be used in the future work. Also could you pass my thanks on to Tony Cook. Everyone I have spoken to including my kitchen supplies have praised him for his work.”
Les Redhead, Catering Operations Manager, Food With Thought & QCS Cleaning & Facilities

“The employment of Darke & Taylor to carry out enhancements to the school network over the past few months has been a profitable and rewarding experience. It is refreshing to employ a team led by Steve Hancock that came in fully understanding the project, and commenced the work on time and were thorough and meticulous to detail and completed the project ahead of schedule. Failure of the central hub to the school more recently was attended to without delay resulting in the minimum down time of essential school equipment. Costs have well under cut other school suppliers of network support and I have been well impressed by the standard of workmanship, testing and attention to detail. I do not hesitate to recommend the use of this service supplier to others”
Roger Bond, BSc, MBCS, Site Manager/IT Technician, Iffley Mead Special School

“I am writing to let you know how pleased I was with the recent installation work carried out by your engineers at the SaÏd Business School. Your quotation was very competitive, and the quality of work exceptional. Your engineers worked quickly, quietly and with total respect to those people working around them. I will happily recommend your company to others and intend to use you again.”
Mat Davies, Facilities Manager, SaÏd Business School, University of Oxford

“The team from Darke & Taylor have been plain speaking and easy to work with and the speed and quality of installation was impressive.”
Alistair Mann, IT Manager, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Aldershot

“Just a short note to say how very impressed we are with Robbie, Franco, Wayne and Richard in the thoroughness of the testing over the last few weeks. It was by far the most informative and helpful test team that we’ve had on site. They were always understanding to the operational needs of the museum, and extremely pleasant to work alongside.”
John M Simmons, Head of Technical Services, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

“This has been a complex project we have had no problems since installation. You would expect teething issues which we had planned for but I am glad to say our planning time was wasted.”
Sid Hawkins, Engineering Support Manager, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Aldershot

“Just an email to say on behalf of Department of Engineering Science, good job, well organised and excellent communication throughout. Darke and Taylor test team spot on and thanks; Darke & Taylor company spot on and thanks.”
Greg Demetriou-Swanwick, Deputy Administrator (Buildings & Facilities), Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford

“Julian, thank you so much for your visit this morning. Brian, you, Martin and your engineers are providing an excellent and professional service for which Sarah and I are really grateful. Your team has done a very thorough job at Chilton …… Jamie and Phoebe were both extremely tidy and thorough (probably helped by having a lady on the team!) and Dave oversaw everything with great efficiency and charm. They were great to have around, all part of the Darke & Taylor service which really is excellent. Sarah and I are really pleased with the new LED lighting and I will sleep better knowing that our electrical system is now up to standard.”
Adrian Scrope, Chilton Estate Office, Leverton, Hungerford,

“May I thank everyone for the change over and work that was carried out at Witney Fire Station. It all ran very smoothly which is a credit to yourselves. Please pass this on to your guy’s that were here.”
Paul Bremble, Community Safety – Fire & Rescue, Oxfordshire County Council

“Could I take this opportunity to praise the hard-working and helpful attitude of your employees”
Christine Capon, Head of Care, Northfield School

“I’ve just had a conversation with Sean Cox at FG Alden regarding Harewood Dress Box project which we’re in receipt of an order for. He has requested that he’d like you to do it so we’ll discuss with the directors (also copied in). He was singing your praises on the back of your performance at Reading Blue Coats saying that you’d been extremely helpful, proactive and delivered a great installation despite the sometimes entertaining complications imposed by the client etc. And that he’d like to work with you again in the future. So good work pal. A little praise should be enjoyed.”
Internal e-mail to a colleague, Matt Gordon (Estimating & Design Engineer), Darke & Taylor

“There have been a number of occasions over the last 18 months when we used your company to carry out some electrical work. On each and every occasion you company has been very professional, keeping us informed of any possible delays in the work schedule, and liaising with school staff. Steve Brooks, who is the electrician who carries out most of our work, is very friendly and polite. I felt that it was important that we acknowledge the good service that we have received from yourselves and look forward to working with you in the future.”
Julia Hawkin, Headteacher, Hardwick Community Children’s Centre

“Just to pass on our thanks and the clients compliments on a job well done on Good Friday. Your professional and well organised approach to the task is appreciated.”
Andy Turvil, SciTech Engineering Ltd

“I am e-mailing to thank you for the excellent response and co-operation from Darke & Taylor in rectifying the electrical failure at SaÏd Business School last night. The team worked late into the night so we could regain supply to the premises. Is it good to know that Oxford University can rely on our contractors when required.”
Richard Sawyer, Deputy Electrical Engineer, Oxford University Estates Services

“I wanted to congratulate you on your brilliant team of chaps that came to Miele to help us with our refurbishments. They were polite and friendly. They even helped move some heavy furniture for me. I hope that they come and work here again. I have nothing but praise for them. Well done Wayne, Keith, Jason and Tom.”
Alison Allen, Supervisor Central Services, Miele Company Limited

“This letter is to formally record our appreciation for your personal, and your team’s, approach to the work undertaken at JRH Biosciences Manufacturing Facility. Your attitude proves that with the right approach, cost, quality and time frames can be met. We thank you for your contribution in making this possible.”
A Turvil, Project Manager, Bovis Lend Lease

“John done great as always yesterday. Cheers”
Rick Henstridge, Assistant Site Manager, Symm & Co.

“Morning all, just a note of thanks from your Overbury Project team for delivering a very fast track project to a very high standard and quality. Our Client is delighted with the space as are all the staff that will occupy, there was about 50-75 other staff shown around the area following grand opening and again nothing but praise for the space. Once again thank you for all your efforts. Cheers, Derick, Andy, Prem and Phil”
Project Management Team, Overbury

“Morning Ladies and Gents. Just another thank you from your Overbury Project team for helping us deliver another project Perfectly. All the professional team signed our form yesterday as did a very delighted Client. See you all on the next Phase!! Cheers, Lauren, Derick, Andy & Phil”
Project Management Team, Overbury

“Hi Lucy,
Thank you Lucy for your assistance throughout this project and providing the as-built drawings. I have looked at the completed works and must say it was completed to a very high standard. Please pass on my appreciation to those who took part in the construction of the installation. Kind Regards, Darren”
Darren Williams, Estates Mechanical & Electrical Manager, Swindon College

“Matt
Just to say thanks for your attendance and hard work yesterday evening in reconnecting the supply.”
Mark Wheater, Contract Manager, Symm

“Paul / Mark & Graham
Firstly congratulations on winning 2 awards on Saturday night very well deserved, secondly thanks to you all and your colleagues for inviting me to share the evening and making me feel so welcome.”
Phil Groves, Senior Building Services Manager, Walter Lilly & Co

“Hugh / Simon,
Congratulations on your winning submissions and also for inviting SCS to be part of your evening. The event was very well put together and extremely enjoyable. I remain confident that our approach is the correct way to deliver business with in the sectors that we are operating. Looking forward to many more wins in the future. Many thanks again.”
Neil Saunders, Renewable Energy, Projects Manager, Swindon Commercial Services Ltd

“My 50kw solar array was completed in April 2013. The approach taken was thoroughly professional and rigorous. The site was initially surveyed and analysed to quantify all benefits and constraints. The design team then used this data to intelligently design and model a system layout that would be the most efficient for my individual location. I was helped by the team through every stage of the paperwork process to register the array, appoint a FIT provider and select a meter operator for export. Delivery and construction of the array was carried out with great care and attention to detail and the array was completed within the agreed timeframe and to a competitive budget. Do not hesitate to contact me for further information or if you would like to view the array.”
Nicholas Frost, Director, Frost Farms Ltd

“Dear Mark
May I take this opportunity at the completion of the project to thank you for doing a good job; for your care, skill and enthusiasm, and your patience. A limited number of T-shirts have been produced with “The Morton” logo embroidered on the front. Please accept the shirt accompanying this letter as a small gift to remember the project by.”
Russell Looker, Ainsley & Partners, Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors for The Morton Hotel refurbishment project

“Dear Hugh,
I am writing to thank you for the excellent work Darke & Taylor did in carrying out the surveying, design, specification and installation of the solar panels for Unit A5 Fairacres Retail Park Abingdon. We were really impressed with EnergyMyWay from start to finish. The whole team were extremely professional and friendly. Your very clear explanation of the process and specification of the various elements of the system gave us confidence right from the start. Your quotation and terms and conditions were also very clear and transparent. Lucy was extremely friendly, helpful and efficient throughout the process. All through the installation Jason was reliable, efficient, professional, considerate and friendly as were the whole installation team. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darke & Taylor to anyone considering installing solar panels to their property. Thanks.”
Richard May, Director, Mays Properties Ltd

“Good Afternoon Liam,
Tracey at the Bicester Day Centre was very happy with the efficiency and conduct of your engineer on his recent visit to repair lights. Please can you relay this good feedback onto the engineer’s supervisor? Thank you”
Andrew O’Neill, Workflow Assistant, Carillion Plc
“Morning Matt,
Please see the email below. Mike was very pleased with the test results and impressed with Steve’s installation. I’ve thanked Steve and passed on the news but please note the positive feedback and let your Directors know.”
Richard Saunders, Project Manager, Janine Stone

“Dear Steve,
I would like to thank you and your whole team for the assistance in getting Princes Gate completed in a timely fashion. I am particularly grateful for the help that James provided, it goes without saying that he was very useful in all matters data related but he was very good at all other task assigned to him. His ability to pick things up quickly and work unsupervised, really helped me get through our mountain of work. I would not hesitate recommending your team to our directors for future works. Best Regards”
Justin Muir, Spink Property

“Hi Neil
I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the whole team and to pass on our thanks for a job well done. Joel did a great job installing the new power consumer distribution unit – he was a very pleasant and helpful installer. Jason , Ashton and John were also outstanding both in manner, professionalism and communication, any issues where discussed with me and resolved quickly and I am very pleased with the very tidy installation. I have no hesitation in recommending the company to anyone going down the solar route and am happy for you to use this email if it helps. I hope we managed to keep them going sufficiently with tea and coffee using the camping gas stove! Thanks again for an exemplary service.”
Pat and Steve Cooper

“Hi Paul. Your electrician has been out today had sorted all of our houses that we needed sorting, we will need a return visit next if this is OK to finish off the rest and commission. He also gave our customer care team a demonstration and answered all questions about the installation. He has been a great help and a good electrician, he is a credit to your company. Thanks again Paul for all your help.”
Iain Cunningham, G.W.& E. Wright Ltd

“Hi Simon. As you are aware we have recently awarded D&T a project at Luton Borough Council which is directly off the back of the BSI Hemel Hempstead project, where Nathan Grant and his team were great. We ran subcontractor scoring on the project at BSI and D&T were consistently in the top two for Health & Safety and site attitude with your employee James Haskins winning an award for his site attitude and Health & Safety approach. I have attached a photo of him receiving his award.”
Andy Hambridge, Services Manager, Overbury

“Walter Lilly has a strong belief in teamwork and the need for good communication, as they are key to delivering project satisfaction for our clients. Darke & Taylor’s Managers and site operatives are approachable and this is very valuable in helping us all work together as a team. It is noticeable that the Darke & Taylor staff are trained and aware of their responsibilities regarding health & safety on site. Through their commitment to training, Darke & Taylor are able to support Walter Lilly in delivering the high standards of quality and safety that are required on the prestigious construction projects we specialise in. Darke & Taylor Site Manager Martin Dancer carries out toolbox talks on a range of subjects to all of his operatives on site every week. It is also good to see that the company employs young trainees and that they are included in the company’s training initiatives. The employees of the company have a good attitude towards health & safety and are always prepared to take on board comments, suggestions and requests made by Walter Lilly Management.”
Richard Quinn, Deputy Project Manager, Walter Lilly Construction

“Jason, I just wanted to thank you and your team for an excellent service during the installation. Really pleased so far. It has generated 120kwhrs in 7 days. Boiler is now off so shower this morning was all courtesy of the sun. Would be pleased to give a reference if required.”
Chris Kay, Operations Manager, Oxford Agricultural Trials Limited

“Hi Keiron. Big pat on the back to both the lads and yourself so far a job well done.”
Neil Meakins, Electrical Supervisor, Michael Lonsdale Group

“Hi Paul, I trust you are well! I just wanted to drop you a line to say what an excellent job Lee White has done to date that the above project, and hopefully this is not too premature as you’ve not installed a cable yet! He started on the project for day one working in a hole in the ground upwards with the Ground Workers and Steel Fixers in awful weather without once winging or moaning. His interfacing with the team has been first class, with information in the early days being very much hand to mouth. So from me and Sizebreed its a massive thank you to Lee, and hopefully once the Project is completed it will be as amazing as everyone expects and something to be proud of. This is the first time in 2 years at Sizebreed that I have felt the need to praise someone formally, so you can see how high he is regarded. Keiron (not to be forgotten) has also been fantastic on this and other projects you currently have with us. Long may the Sizebreed and Darke & Taylor relationship flourish, and with people like Lee and Keiron I’m sure it will.”
Sean Cox, Building Services Manager, Sizebreed Construction

“Hi Matthew, just to let you know, the workmen who carried out our recent work were great. No mess, minimal disruption, and all were polite and respectful. Highly recommended! Best Wishes”
Natalya James, Manager, Henry Cornish Care Centre & Intermediate Care Unit