Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:49 am
I used a long standing land scaping company to patio a 20' by 12' area behind my garage. They quoted £850 to patio the area supplying matching slabs to those already laid in the garden. They predicted that the job would take 2.5 days and we agreed that they would patio a rectangular area gravelling the sides to avoid having to cut slabs to keep the cost down (as the area isn't square).
To my surprise, they took just 4 hours to lay the patio. The slabs are laid on a concrete mix, the thickness of which ranges from 5" to 1", which inturn is directly on top of the lawn, ie no excavation or hard base.
They then returned 3 days later to lay the 3 slabs to the left and gravel around the sides (at least they added a layer of Plantex first). Yes, the gravel to the left is covering the base of the fence by 3" or so.
I have never heard of patios being laid directly onto grass and immediately questioned the job, being told that the ground was compact and that they would stand by their work should any problems occur. I have drawn up a contract confirming this guaranty for a 5 year period and demanded it be signed before any payment will take place.
I know the patio will drop as the grass dies beneath but do not know what else I can do as the job physically looks good and they have guaranteed their work. Is it a case that I should wait for the slabs to drop or is it widely accepted that the job they have completed is not good enough in the first place?
Unfortunately, the quote was not in writing but am hoping that the level of work completed is of such sub standard that the work wouldn't be considered sufficient should it go legal.
To my surprise, they took just 4 hours to lay the patio. The slabs are laid on a concrete mix, the thickness of which ranges from 5" to 1", which inturn is directly on top of the lawn, ie no excavation or hard base.
They then returned 3 days later to lay the 3 slabs to the left and gravel around the sides (at least they added a layer of Plantex first). Yes, the gravel to the left is covering the base of the fence by 3" or so.
I have never heard of patios being laid directly onto grass and immediately questioned the job, being told that the ground was compact and that they would stand by their work should any problems occur. I have drawn up a contract confirming this guaranty for a 5 year period and demanded it be signed before any payment will take place.
I know the patio will drop as the grass dies beneath but do not know what else I can do as the job physically looks good and they have guaranteed their work. Is it a case that I should wait for the slabs to drop or is it widely accepted that the job they have completed is not good enough in the first place?
Unfortunately, the quote was not in writing but am hoping that the level of work completed is of such sub standard that the work wouldn't be considered sufficient should it go legal.
LLL