Having our new fire and fireplace installed by Direct Fireplaces was a bitter-sweet customer experience. Having explained the sort of fire and fireplace we had before the installation of the new, we were told on three separate occasions that the level of disruption would be 'minimal'. Nothing could've been further from the reality. Although the fitter - Tony Forbes - did a great job of the final installation, there was extensive drilling over a period of several hours, creating a huge amount of brickdust throughout the lounge, hallway, staircase and upstairs landing. We were shocked and angry at the levels of choking dust which was all pervading. We had taken what we thought was purely precautionary levels of placing sheets over electrical items and furniture, in the belief there would be only 'minimal' disruption. In the wake of what was ultimately a very good and professional installation, we spent literally hours cleaning up. When I challenged Direct Fireplaces on their assertion of 'minimal' levels of dust and disruption, they asked if a pre-installation survey and photos had been undertaken. This had not been done and Direct Fireplaces admitted this was their oversight. They had been negligent in not doing so and - as a result of our bad experience - the company said they would instigate changes in their processes to ensure pre-installations surveys were integral to any future work. This was of little consolation to us. To rub salt into the wound, the people from whom we'd bought the fire - Fairways in Bromsgrove - supplied incorrect internal settings for the fire. The cost of the installation was £445. Direct Fireplaces was only prepared to refund £50 for all of their mistakes - a barely acceptable sum. The remaining £395 was payable directly to the installation contractor - Tony. At no stage had we been told this. Had we wanted to withhold partial payment it would've been penalising Tony and we didn't think it was fair to do so. As stated, elements of the installation process were unacceptable, but once started, there was no going back. We bear no animosity to Tony, but we hold Direct Fireplaces responsible for wholly inadequate guidance, a lack of due diligence and an unprofessional approach. I don't know where this review goes - if it is purely for internal purposes or online scrutiny - but it should act as a warning to other potential customers.