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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:07 am
by colordrives
Recently did a tarmac job for a customer, there is some staining to the tarmac caused by some dirty water from the roller, as anyone knows who does tarmac this is a common occurrence and will wear off, I have assured the customer of this but they simply will not except it and are saying they want something done about it.
Any advice or resources that I can use to back up what I am saying?
thanks
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:36 pm
by Dave_L
Pictures would help - but is it rusty coloured stains or is it a limestone bitmac that is whiting up?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:39 am
by colordrives
its mainly rusty coloured stains, will try and get a photo
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:13 pm
by colordrives
This is a photo of the stains, there are a few other stains like this elsewhere.
What do you guys think? this guy is really starting to annoy me, he is refusing to pay and now demanding that I seal the driveway using Tarmaseal before he will pay me.
He has had a so called expert in who he will not reveal any details of who has said ""It looks like a combination of roller water, some dust or dirt and excessive rolling of the centre. It should weather out but could easily take 6-12 months"
I said it would take 2-3 months.
I have tried everything to be reasonable with this bloke and am tired of my work being call "poor workmanship and surface quality". As far as I am concerned it is fit for purpose and tarmac is not always a 100% perfect finish.
I am in the wrong here? would he win in court?
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:47 pm
by lutonlagerlout
has he paid you anything?
it looks tidy enough in that photo
is that a fin drain next the the edgers?
if he paid 80% now and the rest in 3months when the stain has weathered out that would be a compromise
like a retention
I am sure you dont want to do this but if it goes to court it can get messy
LLL
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:08 pm
by colordrives
Its an ACO brickslot, took 4 visits to decide on :/
He wont have that its either resurface the entire driveway, paint it in Tarmaseal or go to court, they are totally unreasonable and the wife does nothing but moan about how unsightly it is and that you don't pay for a new product to have marks on it and bla bla bla.
Im sick of em they are the kind of people who put you off doing tarmac cuss they expect absolute perfection.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:33 pm
by RAPressureWashing
Don't know if it's any help, but Watco do a product called back to black, would this help? They would be left with a totally black coloured drive but it might help you get your money owed?
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:36 pm
by Dave_L
Looks like a normal roller stain on a new surface - was this a limestone surface course?
In my opinion, nothing to worry about, the whole area will fade (oxidise) with the sunlight over the coming summer months.
I'll bet by Christmas all will be well.
LLL's suggestion above is a good compromise for both parties. Something in writing required.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:53 pm
by colordrives
That Tarmaseal stuff seems to be similar to Watco so looks like that's the route I will have to go.......
Yes Dave that's what I have told them more times than I can count, but hey what can you do they hold you to ransom for your money, yes its limestone..,.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:59 pm
by Dave_L
Trouble is, if you apply a sealant etc etc you are just as good as admitting it isn't as good as it should be.
I know and any other contractor would know and would be able to tell you (or the client) that this staining will disappear after 12-18 mths or so.
Is it not worth getting the supplier involved? Thats what I'd do.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:15 pm
by colordrives
its not me suggesting the sealant mate, its him, I've told him outright to leave it an it will fade but he will not have it, I have no choice but to apply the sealant if I want my money.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:16 pm
by RAPressureWashing
Dave_L wrote:Trouble is, if you apply a sealant etc etc you are just as good as admitting it isn't as good as it should be.
That's true Dave, but (and I haven't used them myself) are these products more of a colour enhancer then sealant's?
I do know people that use the tarmac colour enhancer's and they say they work. Thing is customers want it right first time and rightly so, but stuff happens sometimes beyond our control.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:52 pm
by Kuts
I always give the customer a choice of limestone/hardstone and explain the pros and cons, they nearly always go for hardstone.
Looks like the customer is being abit unreasonable.
I'd let them hold a few quid far a while.
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:38 am
by lutonlagerlout
It has been mooted before but I reckon it is time for us to set up our own database of clients best left alone, for contractors only
a friend of mine recently did some painting for a lady
£1500 worth
after he had cleared his stuff away she gave him a cheque for £500 and said "thats all its worth"
he spent £400 on paint and was there for 11 days
now its going to court but other contractors need to be warned of these people
I have 3-4 names out of maybe 80 clients in the last 20 years who stand out as people who nobody needs to work for
LLL 
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:09 pm
by irishpaving
If you get a client that is trying their best to knock you down in price just ask them if their boss does the same with their weekly wage
