Worried about my drive - Driveway

[Fly]

Got my drive done recently and the back patio – and have some concerns:
The guy runs a limited company, has stated on his literature that invoice settlement is upto 3 months and stated that we pay no money until we are happy with the job. (verbally though)
The issue – has been that initially we provided a detailed contract with the garden included etc, this was signed and agreed – he turned up and backed out – saying that he had under quoted etc. He returned because we invited him as we trusted him etc. He turned around and quoted a £1000 more and removed the garden. He then went on to say he does not need to sign anything etc, as he has been doing it for over 30 years etc. Provided a quick description of what he was going to do – which was like everything and it will be done well etc.
By this time – we had 4 quotes and this guy seemed reasonably priced, ltd company (checked) – operates as sole director etc.
We agreed.

Patio:

This area was dug up about a foot or could be less, then it was filled with all the rubble that came out, this was then compacted and then came the membrane with some hardcore on it and levelled out with a wacker (I think)
They then did 1 : 3 Cement and sand and started laying the slabs. What the did not do is put supports on the side – instead cement was put on the sides/ end near the soil to hold back the bricks.
3 concerns – I have is:
• There are a few last bricks which have come away because they have been put in the last day – its overnight they came undone.
• The drain was amended on the last day to drain in to the gutter – which has now left an a little ditch.
•
Is this the proper way to do it? Anything in particular I need to watch out for?

Driveway – was block paved with 45 degree patterns with raised curbs.

What they did:
Dug around – not very deep – so we pressure him to re –dig and do it again, as we got someone to access and he said that he needed to go deeper. At additional cost – we did not mind as long as it was done properly. – The guy was left soar –only because it increased the length of the project. But we agreed to pay more. Anyway…..
Laid all the rubble and hard core down and compacted it. He then laid the sand and wacked that in and stated laying the bricks. Which was fine, but on the curbs – raised ones – there are large gaps and spaces left – I have asked if these were to be filled – he turned around and said no – they will be left like that, “that is how its always done�
He mentioned that the sand needed to by 50mm, but I have not checked this….
There are still spaces in the bricks in some placed in the edges, but do not know if this is normal.??
I then fell out with him, because we had agreed for curbs on the edges – he said we did not agree to one side?? Lol – well he never wanted to go over the finer detail – so issues like that did not arise. – so he then quoted me £180 extra – to which I said no. I then resorted to agreeing paying the cost price for the bricks.
I was under the impression that there ought to be no gaps at all and after everything was done – they would give the drive a wash?? / Laquer?
Just wanting to know if this is the norm or what I could do if something does go wrong, or that overall it seems like normal practice?
Thanks – sorry for the long post….
Fly

[Fly]

can anyone give me any advice??

[carlbeardsmore]

I have just got in from a hard days work... Many of the others on here will be the same.

It may take a little longer than a few hours to get a reply to the original post.

ps.. Pictures say a thousand words.

[Fly]

thanks for the reply. You are correct. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures as yet - will try taking some but it might be dark by the time I get home. But will try to do something...

[lutonlagerlout]

ltd company doesnt mean anything to you as a punter
there should be no gaps on kerbing or in the block paving
you would have been better coming here for advice before this guy started,if possible take some digital photos and upload them here
verbal contracts are very hard to enforce ,he should have done you a line drawing at least
LLL

[Fly]

thanks -

Nope he did not do anything of that sort. Only went on raving about how he knows the trade and has been doing it for over 30 years etc and that larger supplier like everest infact ask him to do their jobs etc.

Ok what would he need to fill those gaps in the kerbs with ?? just sand or sand & cement or cement only?

will take some pics...

I did not know about this website beforehand - stumbled upon it today....

If it prooves to be a he starts becoming a nuisance asking for full payment etc i.e threatening behavior etc - what do I need to do?

Does anyone review work and survey it?

[msh paving]

Working for everest is nothing to shout about as long as you do the job cheap they will give you work MSH

[Fly]

but surely they would only touch reputable suppliers - otherwise cowboys will only ruin their reputation - right?

[msh paving]

it's not for me to say too much but i have worked for the national companies, they have very few standards make it look nice is good enough for them its all down to pounds shillings and pence and the bottom line

being a LTD company is a easy get out for crooks to rob punters blind scam the bank and send it to the recivers,

you will probilly have a uphill struggle with this guy,there is no reason for gaps in the kerbs they should be butted tight together some pix will help us give a better reply to this job

MSH

[Dave_L]

Agreed; some pictures of the affected areas would be good; when I get in later [from the pub] I'll give you some [fine] advice!

[Fly]

lol - cool I will take some pics.

I really wish I found this site before:(

[seanandruby]

so he dug the patio a lot deeper than the drive? then the stuff he dug out he put back in, and you only think he wackered it ???

[msh paving]

looks like DI seanandruby is on the case............MSH :;):

[Fly]

lol - guys I am not a tradesman so. He dug up the areas, and then was doing a speedy gonzales. He was then asked to dig a lot deeper because this is what I was advised. He then put the rubble - some stones bricks etc I guess as ballast and then put hard core, then wackered it..

Just to be clear - the gaps in between the kerbs is where there is a bend... is this is normal - there are also a few other places where you can see some gaps.

[Fly]

Sorry - could not get a pic tonight, but to illustrate what I mean is in the attached picture. The round bend - you can the spacing between the kerbs there is a space which is what I am on about - which has not filled. How is this filled normally..??