Patio pricing process - Pricing adjustment

[RickZ]

Hi, during the installation of my 50sqm Indian Sandstone patio Sika Pave Fix Plus was used for pointing. Unfortunately the pointing failed to set properly and the landscaper got Sika out to inspect it, they completed drainage and depth tests and took samples away for testing. I received a copy of the final report which was very detailed down to mm rainfall on each day, they reported the Pave Fix Plus wasn't applied as per the instructions. The landscaper disagreed with the report but removed the Pave Fix Plus replacing it with a sand/cement mix which after a few issues with setting in some areas requiring reapplication now seems to be OK.

I assumed the job had been priced to allow for the use of Pave Fix Plus therefore I asked if the price would be adjusted to allow for the use of much cheaper sand and cement, to be informed he priced the job up and the use of Pave Fix Plus wasn't in the price it was his decision to use it when they got to the pointing stage. Does this sound right, I assumed when pricing a patio the norm would be to consider all materials, wages etc. I can't get out of my mind if I pay the full quote price I'll be paying over £100 for 7 tubs of Sika Pave Fix Plus that had to be removed.

[KeburDave]

Its swings and roundabouts, brush in jointing compounds are much quicker than hand pointing with traditional sand/cement, I've recently priced a job using an Old Town Slab where I felt hand pointing would look better and more suited to their period property, my costs came in higher than if I were to use a 2 part epoxy because of the time it took. So if you are now happy with the work and finish I think to ask for money back from the Landscaper would be unfair. I never known a supplier of brush in jointing compounds put up their hand and admit their product has failed it is always down to an installation error!!!

[RickZ]

Its swings and roundabouts, brush in jointing compounds are much quicker than hand pointing with traditional sand/cement, I've recently priced a job using an Old Town Slab where I felt hand pointing would look better and more suited to their period property, my costs came in higher than if I were to use a 2 part epoxy because of the time it took. So if you are now happy with the work and finish I think to ask for money back from the Landscaper would be unfair. I never known a supplier of brush in jointing compounds put up their hand and admit their product has failed it is always down to an installation error!!!

Many thanks for your reply. He said the same about the manufacturer not admitting product failure though instructions are there to be followed and follow them he didn't. Fair point about the additional man hours offsetting the higher product cost. I've had a bricky and builder tell me they don't think a sand/cement mix will last long before it starts cracking and pressure washing is likely to force it out. At the moment it's pretty solid...

[lutonlagerlout]

I think he has been pretty fair
its cost him time and money and as usual the manufacturers have employed bullshit to squirm out of it
the Bricky and Builder unless they are installing and guaranteeing the patio should keep their opinions to themselves, I am a bricklayer who also installs patios and try not to comment on other people's work,unless relevant

the bottom line is that sika pavefix plus is a polymeric and a product that I wont be using,along with geofix, weatherpoint,and all the other 1 part sweep ins

As dave says its either sand and cement or a quality 2 part German resin for me

sorry for the rant but I had 2 reps come out from geofix 12 years ago and they blamed everything except their product,which is not ft for the purpose
IMHO

LLL