Frauded by Fixs renovation company (Hengelo)

We are a couple in our mid-30s with over a decade of experience working in IT at reputable companies. We recently immigrated to the Netherlands and purchased our first home in the community of Hengelo. The house is a beautiful, classic two-story Dutch building, but as it is older and had not been well maintained, some renovation work was required before moving in. In September 2025, we contracted a company called Fixs (whose registration at the local Chamber of Commerce – KVK – appeared valid, although ownership details remained unclear) to perform various renovation services. Looking back, we acknowledge that we made several mistakes, including paying a total of €42,000 in advance and not insisting on a detailed, formal contract or invoice. These were valuable lessons learned.

We engaged Fixs for services including floor renewal, bathroom renovations, electrical maintenance, and installation of floor heating. During the renovation period (September to November 2025), we observed significant issues with the quality and completeness of the work:

• Unsafe and outdated electrical installations (including fuse boxes not fit for residential bathroom use)
• Unfinished and faulty bathroom renovations, such as clogged pipes, missing ventilation, incorrect fixture sizes
• No installation of floor heating as agreed
• Frequent delays and lack of transparent communication from Fixs

After receiving expert reports confirming these deficiencies, Fixs agreed to make partial corrections; however, many problems remain unresolved. We have documented all correspondence and actions taken.

We have been informed by several subcontractors and other parties that Fixs may have engaged in questionable business practices, such as delayed payments to subcontractors, employing unqualified staff, and potential irregularities relating to taxes and employment regulations. We are collaborating with these parties to explore further actions.

We aim to raise awareness to help others avoid similar experiences. Based on what we have learned, we recommend the following when contracting renovation or similar services:

• Verify company registration and ownership through official sources (e.g., KVK)
• Request and sign detailed, written contracts before commencing work
• Inspect work thoroughly and refrain from full payment until satisfactory completion
• Monitor progress regularly with site visits or trusted third-party inspections
• Obtain appropriate legal insurance coverage
• Report concerns promptly to relevant authorities and insurers
• If you face issues, we strongly advise contacting the police, tax authorities, local government, legal counseling services, and the Chamber of Commerce.

We are working closely with various institutions, including the Police, the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst), the local municipality (Gemeente), legal aid organizations (Juridischloket), and the Chamber of Commerce (KvK), to address this case and support others affected by similar experiences.