Layman needs advice on botched patio job - Slopes towards house and <15cm from dpc

[lutonlagerlout]

its a shame because the stone itself looks not bad
autumn brown or blend or summat
at least its reusable
LLL

[r896neo]

In fairness from what i can tell from another forum he posted on the customer has paid for the flags so it may not be such a cheap price.

[yinhong]

How did you choose this contractor? Does he have a landline and valid address?

I saw his sign locally, and have seen his truck around at several places. He was one of 5 quotes we got, and yes he was the cheapest, but only by about £500 compared to the next cheapest one.

It was £1950 + pay for your own slabs, shingle and geofix, which we did and which came to £1000.

I have reproduced the letter of complaint to him via email (this is how we originally contacted him), and added a few things that Tony has advised me to add.

I have also reported him to the police. I plan to inform my local authority's trading standards team tomorrow.

You won't believe this, but I only realised tonight that he still actually has a copy of a key to my garage!! (where's the smack your own face emoticon?) We gave it to him to get the slabs out in the morning as we would be at work, and like I said earlier we completely trusted him... Anyway, I've written to request he post it back by first class post immediately, and I've informed the police of this.

In return he has left his wheelbarrow in my garden. I've told him he can pick it up at a prearranged time, but he mustn't arrive unannounced. This is a much smaller issue, but if he doesn't come to collect it how long would you wait before throwing it out? It's a very rusty, old and dirty wheelbarrow.

I've also come to realise that it wasn't mortar, but a concrete mixture that he used.

Finally, here are some more pictures for you to enjoy:









Thank you so much everyone for your help, especially Tony who has been a star. It's all been invaluable though.

[lutonlagerlout]

I dont feel enjoyed
a bit sad and a bit angry
also a bit surprised that you went for the cheapest price and were shocked to get a crap job
we (blokes on here) lose jobs to muppets like this guy all the time,and then are left to pick up the pieces when its all gone wrong
I doubt he is criminally minded,just not very good at paving
LLL

[rimexboy]

The problems and time sorting this out can be quite stressful to say the least, let alone now trying to find a contractor to put it right, which is likely to cost alot more in the long run with the extra costs for materials and labour

[Kuts]

The problems and time sorting this out can be quite stressful to say the least, let alone now trying to find a contractor to put it right, which is likely to cost alot more in the long run with the extra costs for materials and labour

When you buy quality you only cry once

[yinhong]

The contractor's reply:

Dear xxxxxxxx,

As per your text message requesting me to visit you on Tuesday 24th June; I visited you this morning to discuss the patio. I did however try to contact you several times by phone beforehand.

I clearly asked you about any concerns you had and advised I would rectify these concerns as you felt the patio was not level in a certain place, despite being more than satisfied on Monday 23rd June. I would like to make it clear the patio slabs were chosen by yourselves therefore you will know that these are not an even surface.

Today I asked why you had not mentioned concerns on Monday 23rd June and you became aggressive and unable to communicate in an appropriate manner. As I walked away, not being able to speak to you in this manner you pushed me from behind and also grabbed my arm, shouting and still being unreasonable. To which my work colleague was present.

I and others worked very hard to ensure that the job was correct. We carried out extra work as asked and for this there was no charge. To date I have not received any payment from yourselves for materials or labour etc. I have a receipt for the concrete, which I paid for on my card. I will ensure this is forwarded to yourselves for payment to be made plus labour and other costs. I have previously sent you an invoice.

I advised you earlier that no payment had been received and you said that I would not be paid.
I have sought legal advice on this matter and would appreciate you're compliance on order to deal with this matter in a non threatening manner.

I trust that the email address you have contacted me on is now you're preferred email address for correspondence as I have previously had another email for yourselves?

Regards
******* **** ********

Complete lies, of course, but it's pissed me off that he's not only tried to defend his work but has now accused ME of being aggressive! Can we swear on this forum?!!

Right, now I'm a bit calmer, here's the breakdown:

As per your text message requesting me to visit you on Tuesday 24th June; I visited you this morning to discuss the patio. I did however try to contact you several times by phone beforehand.

I contacted him on Tuesday by text asking him to come round to discuss a few things, to which he gave me a four miss calls but I wanted him to reply by text because I didn't want to get into an argument over the phone. But since I hadn't heard from him by Wednesday afternoon, I gave him a call and he told me Friday 5:15pm was the earliest he could come to see me as he was on another job, to which I agreed. Thursday morning he arrived at 7pm unannounced, no phone call. And you know the rest.

I clearly asked you about any concerns you had and advised I would rectify these concerns as you felt the patio was not level in a certain place, despite being more than satisfied on Monday 23rd June.

Yes, he did ask me about my concerns. Yesterday morning, after I complained! His reply was, to quote, "The patio DOES drain away from the house, the water will drain from the house. Let me bring a hosepipe tomorrow and show you." I said you don't need to do that, because it's clear that it won't.

I would like to make it clear the patio slabs were chosen by yourselves therefore you will know that these are not an even surface.

This is seriously his defence for the slopes.

Today I asked why you had not mentioned concerns on Monday 23rd June and you became aggressive and unable to communicate in an appropriate manner. As I walked away, not being able to speak to you in this manner you pushed me from behind and also grabbed my arm, shouting and still being unreasonable. To which my work colleague was present.

Just complete lies. My wife was also a witness from the bedroom window.

I and others worked very hard to ensure that the job was correct. We carried out extra work as asked and for this there was no charge. To date I have not received any payment from yourselves for materials or labour etc. I have a receipt for the concrete, which I paid for on my card. I will ensure this is forwarded to yourselves for payment to be made plus labour and other costs. I have previously sent you an invoice.

There was no 'extra work' that was done free of charge. The only 'invoice' I have received is that short email.

I advised you earlier that no payment had been received and you said that I would not be paid.
I have sought legal advice on this matter and would appreciate you're compliance on order to deal with this matter in a non threatening manner.

The audacity......


Anyway, he hasn't really replied to any of my questions about breaking down what he thinks I owe him, and my key and his wheelbarrow, and crucially how would plan to fix the problems.

I'm going to see the CAB for further advice. Will keep you all posted. Thank you very much again.

[nry]

Keep us posted, sounds like a not very nice situation to be in!

[goshawker]

also a bit surprised that you went for the cheapest price and were shocked to get a crap job

Surely the cheapest price is not always wrong, just as the most expensive is not always right either. Otherwise the cowboys would just lump in extra money to make themselves appear 'quality'.

The best way is surely recommendation and vetting.

[yinhong]

I have been advised by the CAB to get written reports from professional tradesman to verify my complaints.

Would people in this thread be happy for me to use this as evidence, and if needed could I contact you via PM just to verify you are who you are?

[Bob_A]

also a bit surprised that you went for the cheapest price and were shocked to get a crap job

Surely the cheapest price is not always wrong, just as the most expensive is not always right either. Otherwise the cowboys would just lump in extra money to make themselves appear 'quality'.

The best way is surely recommendation and vetting.

I agree

[dig dug dan]

Another red flag has gone up. Did I see the word geofix mentioned?

[bodgeitandscarper]

Where is this rogue trader based? Has he been on Rogue Traders!

[msh paving]

sent you a PM yinhong.... MSH

[London Stone Paving]

Sounds like its just something you may have to ride out. I doubt very much that he's going to go down the legal route. In fact there is no point even engaging in any further dialogue. Change the lock on your garage will be a good starting point and one less thing for you to worry about