Unhappy with tradesmans work - Your opinions please

Patio flagstones (slabs), concrete flags, stone flags including yorkstone and imported flagstones.
mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119126Post mch

There has been no rain for the last 2 days and it has been VERY hot today but still there are wet patches of grout as shown here;

Image

some examples of the poor grout (washing and blowing out, will just crumble with your finger)

Image

Image

Image

mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119127Post mch

Oh and here's some pics of the edge showing the depth of the base (depth varies)

Image

Image

Image

Image

I hasten to add this has been down only approx 3 weeks

dig dug dan
Posts: 2504
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:20 pm
Location: hemel hempstead,herts. 01442 212315

Post: # 119130Post dig dug dan

You can see in that last picture, the slab has lifted, and the grass and weeds are starting to grow out from underneath! Its damning evidence.
Dare we ask how much you were charged?
Dan the Crusher Man
01442 212315
www.crusherhire.co.uk
"a satisfied customer? we should have them stuffed!"

mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119131Post mch

dig dug dan wrote:You can see in that last picture, the slab has lifted, and the grass and weeds are starting to grow out from underneath! Its damning evidence.
Dare we ask how much you were charged?
£4000
We supplied the slabs, we also dug and laid the trench and laid the 4" pipe to contain the electrics for the garden building as he refused.

We've had quotes that are higher now to relay (with us uplifting) but a good chunk of the extra is in excavating for the proper sub base, laying and compacting the sub base and supply and fit of drainage channel surrounding the building

dig dug dan
Posts: 2504
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:20 pm
Location: hemel hempstead,herts. 01442 212315

Post: # 119132Post dig dug dan

That's the problem, there is now more work to do to get it to how it should be. You have a case against the contractor, to no reason why you can't recoup that money
Dan the Crusher Man
01442 212315
www.crusherhire.co.uk
"a satisfied customer? we should have them stuffed!"

David 1234
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Hertfordshire

Post: # 119133Post David 1234

Anyone who does this to you deserves everything they get.

From my wife - a solicitor. You’ll need to get an independent expert to compile a report. (Tony M may be able to advise on how to do this). Then take them to a small claims court. Getting judgment may only be the first step. Enforcing the judgment and getting paid is another matter. Thinking ahead if you know where they bank, the court can freeze the account and extract the money. Bailiffs can’t seize goods used for work so unlikely that would work. Good luck and don’t back down.
David

mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119151Post mch

What could be the cause of a white powdery substance starting to appear on some of the mortar joints, its almost chalky

mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119166Post mch

We've now been told by a landscaper who has installed these exact slabs before that the white staining that looks like water marking is due to a slurry/bond not being applied to the reverse of the slabs and that he will not take the job on unless the slabs are thrown and he fits new.

Is it correct that this staining is as he says near impossible to rectify? It seems such a shame when we paid good money for the slabs and everyone who we've had look at the patio has said the slabs are a good quality product...

He said that due to the slabs not being "sealed" on the reverse and the DPM being underneath that the slabs have now begun to absorb the salts etc from the sand/cement bed and simply washing them will not resolve.

DNgroundworks
Posts: 1951
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:28 pm
Location: Preston, Lancashire

Post: # 119170Post DNgroundworks

This should help. https://www.pavingexpert.com/eff01

Id reuse the flags personally.

Tony McC
Site Admin
Posts: 8346
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:27 pm
Location: Warrington, People's Republic of South Lancashire
Contact:

Post: # 119178Post Tony McC

If it is reflective staining, then it's probably permanent staining and the best thinbg to do is lay new flags.

The whole job is wrong wrong wrong.

I don't want to say anything more in case I'm needed to prepare an independent assessment report.
Site Agent - Pavingexpert

Whatamuppet66
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 7:57 am
Location: Sussex

Post: # 119180Post Whatamuppet66

mch wrote:Image

Image

Image

Image
Newbie here, how did you get your photos on here without a link? Can’t work out how to do it!!
J pattenden

Tony McC
Site Admin
Posts: 8346
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:27 pm
Location: Warrington, People's Republic of South Lancashire
Contact:

Post: # 119182Post Tony McC

Unfortunately, the software won't allow photies unless they have a suitable link.

The new software may be different - we're not 100% sure yet - but until we get that uploaded at the end of this month, we're stuck with what we have.
Site Agent - Pavingexpert

mch
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:26 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post: # 119187Post mch

The photos were hosted elsewhere and that site provided "bb" forum suitable links

Post Reply