A programme to install free loft and cavity wall insulation is leaving Fife residents with damaged homes and having to organise their own repairs.
Glenrothes councillor Betty Campbell was disrupted by insulation fitters for more than a month and said her neighbours were treated the same way.
Mrs Campbell is a private home owner, and the insulation is part of a £3 million programme organised by Fife Council and funded by the Scottish Government.
Local authorities select contractors who then carry out the work.
The insulation in Mrs Campbell’s house was provided by Bathgate company Everwarm, who are a contractor providing insulation as part of the programme.
While Mrs Campbell’s issues have now been resolved, she remains unimpressed with the treatment and the time taken to make repairs.
She said: “I’m angry with the way I was treated. They don’t seem to have any respect for my time.
“Several times I was told they were coming only for them not to turn up at all. They said they would arrive at 8am, then at 9am, then at 10am and kept me all day.”
Mrs Campbell also questioned the quality of the work.
She said: “It took them a very long time to complete the work. Because I have a gas fire a vent had to be installed, which damaged the paint on the wall.
“I had to have the repainting done myself and then claim the money back.”
Money was reimbursed to Mrs Campbell.
She said: “We had our decking painted in June, but with all their gear and heavy boots they completely ruined it and we have to have that painted again.
“My neighbours have complained about mess left in their properties as well.”
The installation of insulation took more than a month to complete.
Mrs Campbell had to organise repairs to her property herself after the installation, and pay for those repairs herself before being fully reimbursed.
Fife Council encouraged any residents taking part in the scheme who had issues with the work to contact them.
The work is part of a Scottish Government Home Energy Efficiency Programme and entitles home owners, as well as council tenants, to free insulation.
For 2014/15, Fife Council has received £2,933,009 as part of the scheme.
A Government spokesman said: “It is the responsibility of local councils to select and manage contractors and supervise the work to make sure it complies with the standards set out in the contract.”
Ian Dawson, lead officer for Sustainability at the council, said: “Whenever we receive a complaint we work with our contractor to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
“We follow up each complaint to ensure customers are satisfied with our contractor’s resolution and the finished work.
“If any customers are not satisfied with the work carried out, I’d urge them to get in touch with the council right away so we can investigate it.”
Repeated attempts were made to contact Everwarm, but they did not respond.