Work completed without permission - Indian sandstone all lifted...what next?

[SiRockson]

I have just had a nightmare happen to me whilst obtaining quotes.

My son let the 'tradesmen' in to do a quote whilst I was away and then they said they will just begin the job without speaking to me (was on holidays for a couple of days and no phone signal). My son tried to stop them but were two very large men and just told him don't worry, go back inside and kept working against his request to leave. I was furious.

Least to say i was quite expletive to them when I found out!!!

I got home and all the Indian sandstone tiles were lifting, I am now left with a concrete bed in my preparation area and only 10mm of play to use to adhere them correctly.

I have followed all paving experts advice to date preparing the bed, researching bridge primer (sir, water, cement mix). I or the correct person for the job just got beaten to the job by some morons. I have laid everything out and completed necessary cuts.

Can I use external natural stone tile adhesive after priming the back of the stone as I already have mortar bed and only have 10-15mm of play left.

Please help and also If there are any qualified professionals in London who would quote the job. 7 metres laid incorrectly and another 30 or so metres left.

[lutonlagerlout]

I would say NO
rip it out
and start from fresh type 1
I am somewhat concerned that you have done all the cuts without the stone being laid
Alarm bells will ring from any decent *tradie* if they see this
Cutting is part of the job and best done whilst laying
everyone I know is fully booked this year
cheers LLL

[SiRockson]

Thanks for your advice!

Unfortunately I watched several people precut the stone on youtube how to's.

I guess I better get busy ripping out that concrete!

[dig dug dan]

Did you pay these clowns?
any decent slab layer will be reluctant to take the job on, but if they do, you might have to wait a while for them to start

[SiRockson]

No I didn't pay them!

[Tony McC]

That sounds like the typical intimidatory tactics used by the itinerants, who love nothing better than impressionable youngsters and single women on which to practice their evil ways.

You will struggle to find someone willing to come in and make good the job, but it will simply be a matter of persistence. You may well end up calling 30 or 40 proper paving contractors before you find one willing to take on the work, and even then, if they can start before November, I'd be wondering why they aren't booked up solid.

Still, you have to try. Start ringing around and be ready to accept that it might not get done this side of Xmas. Have a leaf through the various Approved Contractor lists to help winnow out the dross (and there's plenty out there!) and follow the advice given on the Getting a Contractor page to, hopefully, select the best.

[SiRockson]

It wasn't a pleasant experience!

Unfortunately I cannot wait months as I am selling the property, I guess I am going to have to persevere as a DIYer, I had so much trouble finding someone in the first place, we ended up coming across these scammers.

I will do my best to leave quality work by following Paving experts website.

Thanks for your help so far.