A friend directed me to this site, having used advice given to undertake a large project himself. I feel a bit bad that this is my first post, but here goes!
We had an old part concretre/tarmac/garden drive (4 car size) that was a mess. We wanted blocks in the bellmouth, and gravel on the rest.
I got some quotes and went with a firm that seemed professional, gave me addresses of previous jobs etc, and supposedly had years of experience.... They had said there would be a 100mm-150mm sub base, 10-20mm gravel etc.
They didn't start when supposed to and I had to chase them up as there was no word from them. This coincided with our new born daughter being ill in hospital.
The job took 3 days and I was only really around on the final day, which was when our daughter was allowed out of hospital for the first time. I did notice a few issues that day that the chaps he employed tried to correct, but I was quite distracted by the issues the baby had. I was concerned that the chap with the so called experience wasn't there, and he had left 2 of his people, one of whom had 1 years experience there....
The next morning I had time to look at the job properly. I found the following:
1) Badly cut blocks in the bellmouth
2) Uneven levels in the bellmouth
3) Edging stones on the verge are mismatched
4) Edging stones (bullnose) were put across the back of the bellmouth, but back to front with the square edge again the gravel
5) No mitre cuts on edging stones
6) Circa 20mm of sub-base with a membrane. It sounds hollow and moves when I press it... I can lift it at the edges....
7) Stones are a mix of largely pea shingle and some Cotswold stone The garage door was broken, and repaired badly
9) Some spare soil had been piled up against the fence
10) There are patches where the gravel is very deep, and others where it is very shallow.
I called him and he came round. He said it was a 9 out of 10 job and I disputed it. It transpired his son did a job round the corner that is fantastic. Strangely he didn't take me to see that. He said that the sub-base wasn't needed as the existing base was good; its stones and mud.
He said he'd come back to make some corrections, but I've heard nothing since, apart from an abusive phone call.
I'm happy to post/send photos of the "workmanship", but before I take this further, how bad does it sound?
For reference, I used to be a plumber and was fitting kitchens and bathrooms. I'd like to think that I have an eye for detail. I also reckon I could have done a better job.... How I wish I had and that I had been more on the ball!
Sounds like a bit of a mess, have you paid? what was in the spec? The contractor saying "that the sub-base wasn't needed as the existing base was good" means he would of saved some cost. If your right and its mud and stone then its not proper, but good luck with that if he wont play ball.
Hi Paul. Sorry to hear your new born daughter being ill, hope the Dr's sorted it, not nice anytime let alone at xmas.
It all sounds very stressful with the drive etc: The mention of mud gets the alarm bells ringing as does several other things one of which is the shallow gravel.
would be nice when you have time to post some photos for us to view. You could name and shame.
Yes they were paid, and it was cash. My head was all over the place due to the baby having been so ill.... I kicked myself as soon as I saw it, but that's life....
They said they are driveway and paving experts. I had seen other jobs they did and they all look better than this.
The old drive was knackered with dips in it. When I go through the sub base and membrane I see the mud and stones. Some of the new drive used to be garden so that definitely had no sub base.
As to what I paid, all the quotes came in at literally the same price.
I will load some photos up and post a link when I am on a laptop. If in the meantime anyone would be kind enough to want me to send them via email, then I'd be more than happy to do so.
Doesn't sound good to me.
Don't start kicking yourself though. As a farther to 2 young children I know how worrying it can be when they're ill.
Without seeing pictures I wouldn't like to judge some of the points you made about the job but it sounds like he's left a couple of in experienced labourers to do what would be an easy job to a competent paver and they have ballsed it up.
Miss matched materials, insufficient sub base, failure to remove waste and damage to your property is completely unacceptable.
Hope you manage to get the situation sorted without it costing you twice.
The garage door was broken, and repaired badly