Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:29 am
Hello,
A friend directed me to this site, having used advice given to undertake a large project himself. I feel a bit bad that this is my first post, but here goes!
We had an old part concretre/tarmac/garden drive (4 car size) that was a mess. We wanted blocks in the bellmouth, and gravel on the rest.
I got some quotes and went with a firm that seemed professional, gave me addresses of previous jobs etc, and supposedly had years of experience.... They had said there would be a 100mm-150mm sub base, 10-20mm gravel etc.
They didn't start when supposed to and I had to chase them up as there was no word from them. This coincided with our new born daughter being ill in hospital.
The job took 3 days and I was only really around on the final day, which was when our daughter was allowed out of hospital for the first time. I did notice a few issues that day that the chaps he employed tried to correct, but I was quite distracted by the issues the baby had. I was concerned that the chap with the so called experience wasn't there, and he had left 2 of his people, one of whom had 1 years experience there....
The next morning I had time to look at the job properly. I found the following:
1) Badly cut blocks in the bellmouth
2) Uneven levels in the bellmouth
3) Edging stones on the verge are mismatched
4) Edging stones (bullnose) were put across the back of the bellmouth, but back to front with the square edge again the gravel
5) No mitre cuts on edging stones
6) Circa 20mm of sub-base with a membrane. It sounds hollow and moves when I press it... I can lift it at the edges....
7) Stones are a mix of largely pea shingle and some Cotswold stone
The garage door was broken, and repaired badly
9) Some spare soil had been piled up against the fence
10) There are patches where the gravel is very deep, and others where it is very shallow.
I called him and he came round. He said it was a 9 out of 10 job and I disputed it. It transpired his son did a job round the corner that is fantastic. Strangely he didn't take me to see that. He said that the sub-base wasn't needed as the existing base was good; its stones and mud.
He said he'd come back to make some corrections, but I've heard nothing since, apart from an abusive phone call.
I'm happy to post/send photos of the "workmanship", but before I take this further, how bad does it sound?
For reference, I used to be a plumber and was fitting kitchens and bathrooms. I'd like to think that I have an eye for detail. I also reckon I could have done a better job.... How I wish I had and that I had been more on the ball!
Cheers
Paul
A friend directed me to this site, having used advice given to undertake a large project himself. I feel a bit bad that this is my first post, but here goes!
We had an old part concretre/tarmac/garden drive (4 car size) that was a mess. We wanted blocks in the bellmouth, and gravel on the rest.
I got some quotes and went with a firm that seemed professional, gave me addresses of previous jobs etc, and supposedly had years of experience.... They had said there would be a 100mm-150mm sub base, 10-20mm gravel etc.
They didn't start when supposed to and I had to chase them up as there was no word from them. This coincided with our new born daughter being ill in hospital.
The job took 3 days and I was only really around on the final day, which was when our daughter was allowed out of hospital for the first time. I did notice a few issues that day that the chaps he employed tried to correct, but I was quite distracted by the issues the baby had. I was concerned that the chap with the so called experience wasn't there, and he had left 2 of his people, one of whom had 1 years experience there....
The next morning I had time to look at the job properly. I found the following:
1) Badly cut blocks in the bellmouth
2) Uneven levels in the bellmouth
3) Edging stones on the verge are mismatched
4) Edging stones (bullnose) were put across the back of the bellmouth, but back to front with the square edge again the gravel
5) No mitre cuts on edging stones
6) Circa 20mm of sub-base with a membrane. It sounds hollow and moves when I press it... I can lift it at the edges....
7) Stones are a mix of largely pea shingle and some Cotswold stone
The garage door was broken, and repaired badly9) Some spare soil had been piled up against the fence
10) There are patches where the gravel is very deep, and others where it is very shallow.
I called him and he came round. He said it was a 9 out of 10 job and I disputed it. It transpired his son did a job round the corner that is fantastic. Strangely he didn't take me to see that. He said that the sub-base wasn't needed as the existing base was good; its stones and mud.
He said he'd come back to make some corrections, but I've heard nothing since, apart from an abusive phone call.
I'm happy to post/send photos of the "workmanship", but before I take this further, how bad does it sound?
For reference, I used to be a plumber and was fitting kitchens and bathrooms. I'd like to think that I have an eye for detail. I also reckon I could have done a better job.... How I wish I had and that I had been more on the ball!
Cheers
Paul