Small problem

[DNgroundworks]

Hi all,

Got a job to lay 30cube of concrete as a road/driveway and i told the fella that id start it when we have a good week of weather, as to ensure the best finish.

But the guy wants me start the work asap, so i said well i can start because i can put off another job and i dont mind working in the rain, but the finish will not be 100% compared to what it would be if it were to be cast in the dry.

And as the weather is predicted as being naff (as per usual) i am a bit hesitant to start.

What would you guys do, go ahead and do what the customer asks, or stick to your guns and do it as to what you know best?

[dig dug dan]

definately wait for dr weather to concrete. It looks dreadful otherwise, although sometimes you can't hlp it if it does rain on it

[DNgroundworks]

That what ive been trying to tell the customer but he wont listen, but when its forecast heavy rain, sleet and possible frost the last thing i want to be doing is laying a concrete road!

[Tony McC]

Put it in writing and get him to sign to confirm that he has been told that the finish won't be as good as normal, and that no claim for dissatisfaction on aesthetic grounds can be entertained.

[DNgroundworks]

Cheers Tony,

I have a disclaimer ready and have asked him i need a signature before i start, but even if i do it that way, my name is still on that work...

[Dave_L]

Cheers Tony,

I have a disclaimer ready and have asked him i need a signature before i start, but even if i do it that way, my name is still on that work...

That's the bloody trouble, it is YOUR work in the end.

I smell a rat with this one.......

[acechadwick]

Take someone independant along to back up what you have told him and to bear witness when he signs disclaimer.
If after listening to two peoples opinions he still insists on going ahead then it's a case of "give the customer what he wants"
And the British weather is always unreliable anyway so you couldn't guarantee even if you started at your preferred time that it wouldn't suddenly turn.
But it does smell a bit ratty. Does he look like he's going to pay or look for a loophole?And what does your gut instinct tell you?

[DNgroundworks]

Well my knowledge of the guy is that he is an arcitecht/structural engineer within a large company, he seemed happy enough with the written quote and the proposed specification - 150mm C25 conc, 150mm MOT, reinforcing mesh and visqueen.

He wants a tamped finish for grip, i said thats fine but if it gets p*ssed on as im laying it the ridges will not be as prominent.

My gut feeling is to let the job go, but then again im thinkin as hes local he might be giving "bloody DN Groundworks said he was doing it and then let me down at the last minute blah blah", which may have consequences on my local customer base.

But the way work is at the minute it seems a bit daft turining work away.

So im a bit stuck!

[GB_Groundworks]

my brother in law is an administrator for deloitte just been in at woolworths and he was telling me that having terms and conditions on an invoice means nothing as its a post contract document. all terms and conditions have to be signed before hand. obvious stuff but worth mentioning, just do like you say and have it in writing signed by both of you that the surface finish isd not your responsibility due to the weather. and get a decent up front payment to cover yourself

[DNgroundworks]

That one thing he said he definatley will not do - up-front payments!

[seanandruby]

how wide will the drive/road be. maybe you can prefab some lightweight frames covered in poleythene ready to drop on and weigh down. get the road prepped up and shuttered etc. then pick a good day from the weather forecast and cross your fingers. im not a great fan of tamped concrete, the wire brush looks better.

[lutonlagerlout]

That one thing he said he definatley will not do - up-front payments!

thats a tricky one,you have to spend upwards of 5 k on material and he could turn round and say "knocked"
i would ask for stage payments as the road progresses i.e dig out,stone up,prep and finally the concrete

too many people going skint right now to trust anyone
IMHO
LLL

[oioisonnyboy]

I agree with Sean, 4ft wire brush and nice neat arris edge knocks spots off tamped finish any day for me, only trouble is brushed needs regular sweeping to stay grippy. Tamped concrete can look a bit "Amateur" sometimes but that is just my opinion

Try speedcrete, they will hire you purpose made concrete covers up to 8m span for roads. Not used them personally, but seen them on airport runway in jersey last year...looked like handy bits of kit to hire, but probably would not last long if you bought them and kept them in a lock up to use as and when. They come on wheels, all you do is stand one person at each side and wheel up the side of your road.

If client does not like up front payments, why not try to break works down and do weekly / two weekly / montly application for payment? maybe not on this job but on larger jobs spread out over time might be worth thinking about?

[GB_Groundworks]

if we haven't worked for someone before then we insist on 25% up front then defined stage payments otherwise you leave yourself vulnerable if they don't pay.

i have a nylon concrete brush that goes on our big bull float and use that for stable bases etc nice neat finish, for roads and yards we hire in a roller striker, been keeping my eye out for one on ebay. as tony the tiger would say they're great........ haha



http://www.speedcrete.co.uk/ can register and get the brochure some great tools and bits in it.

[DNgroundworks]

Cheers lads, and as per usual great advice, the road section will be 3m wide with a large section off the side of it going to a triple garage and outbuildings, its a good idea to pre-fab some "panels" but ive not priced for them and they would have nothing to sit on in the middle and plus its a bit of a funny shape.

Ive got a fresno broom myself but the guy wants tamped.

Stage payments also a good idea but im planning on the job not taking long anyway.

I must of told him five times "yes im still keen for the job, but the weather dictates when i will be doing it"

It just annoys me when people are hardwork after youve spent hours pricing for somthing, ringin round for plant, letting other customers down to come and do their job etc etc

:p