Feedback on Outsideology Observatories please. Thanks for reading.

[SimonIRE]

Hello All, 

Although I have been doing AP for several years and visual for decades, this is my second post on SGL. I used to live in the US and so I am more active on CN at the moment. However, I am keen to get some local advice regarding professional observatory builders. I live in Kent.

I am aware of Home Observatory UK and by all accounts they seem to have an excellent reputation. I came across Outsideology recently and I have to admit, their designs also look fantastic. I am keen to hear from any SGL members who have used this company? 

Many thanks for reading,

Best, 

Simon

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stuart1971]

Well, I was actually in talks with them for the last two weeks about having an Roll off roof built, they gave me a price which I agreed too, and so we went forward with the design and were throwing different ideas around....this went on for over a week, we agreed on the design and then he said he would give me the exact quote, when that came in it was over a £1000 more, he said he was sorry for mis quoting me at the start and being unrealistic, so completely wasted two weeks of my time, as I had already told him why my limit was at the start....and the design we agreed on was simpler than the one he quoted for originally....so was not happy at all......😡😡

So I was not impressed at all.

Now, Home ObservatoryUK on the other hand is a better company, they quoted me over the phone, told me the price was valid for a few weeks and told me when they could fit it, and TBH it sounded a much more solid and better design.

I was looking for a 7’ x 6’ ROR no warm room, it was purely just to house my scope, and Outsideology wanted £3500 without fitting ( as was happy to do myself) and Home ObservatoryUK wanted £3450 including fitting....and £2850 if I fitted myself....

 

https://www.homeobservatoryuk.com

[SimonIRE]

Thanks for this feedback Stuart. 

[skyhog]

Are there any non astro shed builders in the area? You may be able to get something made to your own spec for a lot less... Just a thought. 

[Stuart1971]

On 15/02/2021 at 11:13, SimonIRE said:

Thanks for this feedback Stuart. 

I have just bought one of these from B&Q in the sale for £300, solid 20mm wood, and more importantly a really solid door with solid lock...so will then convert the roof, but not sure which design I am going to use yet, roll off, or open out in two halves...

 

[Graham Beamson]

On 15/02/2021 at 09:35, Stuart1971 said:

Well, I was actually in talks with them for the last two weeks about having an Roll off roof built, they gave me a price which I agreed too, and so we went forward with the design and were throwing different ideas around....this went on for over a week, we agreed on the design and then he said he would give me the exact quote, when that came in it was over a £1000 more, he said he was sorry for mis quoting me at the start and being unrealistic, so completely wasted two weeks of my time, as I had already told him why my limit was at the start....and the design we agreed on was simpler than the one he quoted for originally....so was not happy at all......😡😡

So I was not impressed at all.

Now, Home ObservatoryUK on the other hand is a better company, they quoted me over the phone, told me the price was valid for a few weeks and told me when they could fit it, and TBH it sounded a much more solid and better design.

I was looking for a 7’ x 6’ ROR no warm room, it was purely just to house my scope, and Outsideology wanted £3500 without fitting ( as was happy to do myself) and Home ObservatoryUK wanted £3450 including fitting....and £2850 if I fitted myself....

 

https://www.homeobservatoryuk.com

I ordered an observatory from Home Observatories UK last year and paid the deposit of £1965 on the 14th of October. I was told it would be 'after Christmas'. I'm still waiting. I telephoned at the beginning of January and was told it was in the queue and they would be starting work on it soon.  I've telephoned twice in the last few days and can't get an answer. I'm worried that they have gone out of business and I have lost my deposit. Has anyone had an observatory delivered from them recently ?

[Stuart1971]

18 minutes ago, Graham Beamson said:

I ordered an observatory from Home Observatories UK last year and paid the deposit of £1965 on the 14th of October. I was told it would be 'after Christmas'. I'm still waiting. I telephoned at the beginning of January and was told it was in the queue and they would be starting work on it soon.  I've telephoned twice in the last few days and can't get an answer. I'm worried that they have gone out of business and I have lost my deposit. Has anyone had an observatory delivered from them recently ?

I’m sorry to hear this...

I don’t think they are out of business, when I had my issues with Outsideology I phone this company for a quote and they were very helpful, and gave me a quote, and told me I could have it within six weeks, this was about six weeks ago...(although I wanted supply only as was fitting myself) they did say they were busy and had a few jobs abroad that had been cancelled due to current restrictions and could fit me in...so not sure why you still have not got yours...anyway I did not go ahead...

I hope you get it sorted...

[SimonIRE]

Graham, 

I sent you a PM. 

Simon

[Graham Beamson]

Thank you everyone, hopefully I'll get a call back from Nathan soon.

[Graham Beamson]

I've just heard from Nathan and he has been off work for a couple of weeks after a minor accident. He sliced off the tip of his index finger with a planing machine. Fortunately he is still able to do everything that he could previous to the accident, but it was very painful for a while and so he needed the time off work. My observatory will probably be another two months, which is fine, I'm sure that when I finally receive it, it will have been worth the wait.