The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:44 pm**

After having a site meeting with my contractor over my concerns (see post am `I right to be concerned`) I have continued with him for completetion as he assures me my concerns are unfounded. (then again he would!!)

So I did take independant advice from a 3rd party who had a look at this work and confirmed it was below the standard levels he would work to. Although at this stage I could not feasibly and economically see how I could do anything other than complete. (note currently now all sand levelled and main body of blocks down).

During our on site discussion he took me to a few other drives he had done in the area the same way as mine and yes they looked great. He even knocked on one of the doors to speak to the owner (drive had been down 2 years) and asked him if he was still happy with his drive which he was and the guy sung his praises.

To be honest I think his finishing is his strength and every drive I have seen of his looks really good, which is why I hired him in the first place (seen at least 8-10 that he has done and spoke directly with 3 homeowners who all loved the work he did).

I could be just really hyper cautious here so I have asked him how long he guarantees his work for which he again told me 5 years.

I then asked for the certificate or document for this and he said he does not issue one he simply writes at the bottom of the printed quote:
Extra Instructions - work guaranteed for 5 years!

Is this right? Surely thats not common practice and equally the guarantee needs qualification of whats included!

So again I questioned him on this and he simply said thats how I do it but if I want to write up something specific he will sign it!

So can anyone advise me here?

Also does anyone have a standard guaratee wording that accompanies their work they could forward me as this would really help me put something in writing to him.

I dont feel I should but I dont think I have a choice.

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:26 pm**

I'm afraid that our trade is relatively unsophisticated, and getting a written statement of even such brevity ought to be considered a significant triumph. Most guarantees given by patio/driveway contractors are verbal and disappear with the wind as soon as the cheque is cashed.

The more organised contractors, which despite claims to the contrary do actually exist, will often issue a separate guarantee statement covering materials and workmanship for a given period, with a raft of get-out clauses, naturally.

There are also insurance-backed guarantees. These are alleged to protect the client should the contractor go awol, bankrupt, or back to his real job driving a taxi cab. They are normally sold as an 'optional extra' for a percentage of the contract sum: 2Â½% is about the average. I've a problem understanding why you should have to pay extra to 'guarantee' a good job: isn't that what every customer has a right to expect from their contractor?

Now: I've heard good things and bad things about these insurance-backed johnnies - mostly bad, I'm afraid to say, but then, who in their right mind is going to call me or email me because their i-b guarantee went swimmingly well, giving endless nights of uninterrupted sleep and an overwhelming sense of well-being?

Most call/emails have been along the lines of..."they sent out a so-called expert who says that the two ruts leading to the garage and the broken drainage pipe is normal wear and tear for block paving", and then reveal all sorts of unfair T&Cs such as no right to appeal against the company's findings nor to challenge the alleged qualifications/credentials of the expert.

In this tale, I'd be tempted to give the contractor the benefit of the doubt. He's obviously gone out of his way to prove his worth, and seems to have a sound reputation locally. Given that a good rep is worth far more than any advertising campaign, it tends to be something the better contractor tries to keep intact and unsullied. Get the proffered written guarantee from him, and by all means keep your eye on the work, but if it turns out that he's a genuinely skilled contractor with a heart of gold and passion for his work, make sure you treat him to a pint when he's done!

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:04 pm**

Tony McC wrote:In this tale, I'd be tempted to give the contractor the benefit of the doubt. He's obviously gone out of his way to prove his worth, and seems to have a sound reputation locally. Given that a good rep is worth far more than any advertising campaign, it tends to be something the better contractor tries to keep intact and unsullied. Get the proffered written guarantee from him, and by all means keep your eye on the work, but if it turns out that he's a genuinely skilled contractor with a heart of gold and passion for his work, make sure you treat him to a pint when he's done!

Top answer Tony, especially the closing sentence.

The Brew Cabin

Question over guarantee?