Pieman wrote:So we had a decent chat with the contractor yesterday and it seems like he has attempted a full bed by squashing the blobs in the middle down, with the intention that they spread into one mass. He said that it's his method of laying.
He also said that he purposely left gaps in the 'side walls' of the edge flags to allow for drainage, but I'm not convinced that by doing that, it would create issues with the sub base and it's an avenue for anything to get in, whether it be frost or critters.
However it looks like he took our points on board and has agreed to relay. Hopefully this will create an even colour on the flag face and increase our patio life. This may be me worrying, but can the flags have a hairline type fracture occur when being lifted and relayed that might worsen with a frost?
The comment about leavimg a gap for drainage is in fact ok, if the paving gaps are 10mm or less,, and a jointing compound such as easy joint has been used, as its designed to, be free draining.however, the paving should have a fall on it to avoid this, so no need!
what did he point with
Dan the Crusher Man
01442 212315 www.crusherhire.co.uk
"a satisfied customer? we should have them stuffed!"
An update on this. This morning the contractor attended to lift the hollow sounding flag, with the agreement that if we were unhappy with what was underneath, the patio would be relayed. So upon inspection the bed was exactly as id imagined but unfortunately the contractor backtracked and said he wasn't prepared to do anything other than relay this flag.
This contractor is a member of the master craftsman so I will be contacting them initially but then I think the only option left is the small claims court?
Not sure but the dollops look quite deep to ???
I think you have to give him the option of redoing it before you can put in a claim. Do you have the quote stating a full bed?
To be fair I'm still in a state of disbelief as it got a little heated as we battled against their excuses. Basically the only arguement they have is that its solid and looks good.. Not good enough for me. I got the distinct impression that they completely missed our point. I feel embarrassed for them. Not only for going against their word but being so blatantly ignorant regarding the situation we are in.
We have it in writing on more than one occasion that they laid on a full bed. So don't see how they can just say 'we aren't doing anything about it'. I feel completely robbed but I'm intent on resolving this.
Dig all paperwork you have regarding the job and see what was actually specified on paper.
If you don't have it in writing for a full bed then small claims isn't going to help as they would have fulfilled there supply and lay aspect of the job and will simply state "xyz" people do the same plus the block on TV doing spot beds on every garden they did up
He has emailed me at least twice stating that he has laid a full bed. The paving he has laid from Natural Paving also specifies in the instructions to lay on a full bed but his excuse is that those are only recommendations. Shocking
I'll try the guild first as a mediation service I think.
Good luck with it all and if you could keep us updated would be great.
You need to get all the paperwork and specifications that he priced/quoted/agreed before the job started anything he put afterwards probably won't be much help
