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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:54 am
by davieb69
Hi, this is my first post
I have had my drive overlayed by a known firm, but i'm not happy with the job.
These are the problems I have found:
• Driveway was not cleaned. Tarmac laid on dusty surface
• Edges not keyed-in sufficiently enough as agreed
• Edges not sealed between new and old tarmac
• Sub-base around garage area not dug out or debris removed as agreed, tarmac just laid over poor sub-base; tarmac now half-way up damp course brickwork (90mm)
• Tarmac not level to an acceptable standard
• Tarmac laid on existing concrete edges and sand sub-base in front of garage, this should have been removed and sub-base made good as agreed
• Damage has been caused to existing garage floor concrete sub-base with grinder
• Tarmac at rear of drive not keyed-in to meet existing concrete edging. Tarmac laid up to fence kickboard and now two inches above concrete edging. Tarmac can be pulled up by hand
• New drain in front of garage is level so water doesn’t run away into drain
They wont admit to any problem. The biggest issue for me is the 90mm below damp course. Is this acceptable and is there a legal requirement to have 150mm below damp coarse?
Thanks
David
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:03 pm
by Stuarty
It basically depends what was on the written quote, and im not aware of any legal requirements in relation to damp courses. Everything needs to be detailed in writing, otherwise its your word against theres, when you have a written quote and they didnt do the quoted job, then you have proof of a poor job on their behalf.
And the 90mm below dpc isnt acceptable in my book. I always aim for the 150mm.
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:40 pm
by davieb69
At first glance the job looks good, it's not until you look a little closer that you realise the job is shite.
I understand what you are saying about whats in the quote, but at the end of the day it comes down to the supply of goods and services act, where all work should be completed with reasonable care and skill. In this case it hasn't. Surely it's not best practice or acceptable to put 2"-10" of tarmac over a previously poor sub-base, concrete edging or debris, and you can see lines appearing.
At the back of the drive they tarmac'ed up to the kick board of the fence instead of keying it into the existiting surface, so it's now 3" higher than it should be. Infact you can lift the tarmac up because they didnt tac-coat it, you can see there's dust on the underneath.
How can I be sure any of the job is good? I see the only resolution is to dig it up and start again.
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:08 am
by lutonlagerlout
davieb69 if you know so much about it why did n't you have a go yourself???
on the other hand if they havent done what was quoted for the they have got to redo it
90 mm down from dpc isnt regulation but its better than nothing
regards tony
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:40 pm
by MatthewWakeman
dont mess about get the buggers back in explain your concerns and go from there. If as you say they are reputable then they will have a complaints procedure. If still not happy trading standards. if still not happy professional report. if still not happy dont pay and if already paid proportion a bit of blaim upon yourself for not checking the work before paying.
regards
matthew
drivewaycompany.co.uk
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:06 am
by davieb69
lutonlagerlout - Why didn't i think of that? I just happen to have all the equipment in my garage!!! :p
Anyway, they've been over and I quote, supervisor to his boss "you know what it's like, it was the end of the job...." So we'll see what happens
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:58 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i appreciate what your saying davie, but theres nothing worse than working with people who are constantly gathering info on the job you are doing.
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,or so they say
what i meant was that you should have specified the job beforehand in detail,then there can be no ifs and buts which i amn sure you are getting now
personally (this is me not you davie) i am fed up with doing jobs with no drawings (proper working drawing ==> by an architect) where people suddenly decide that "that little step" they mentioned suddenly becomes "the hanging gardens of babylon"
if you have a drawing its either a yes or a no theres no in between
anyway back to their quote if the job doesnt match it ,they must do it again,or make fair recompense (in laymans terms give you some money)
hope this helps
tony
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:58 pm
by Stuarty
I agree with you on people who are trying to "test your knowledge" on the job you are doing. Its nice to talk to a client that doesnt have a blank face when they ask you what your doing, but its not quite so nice when they are coming out with quotes like "why didnt you do it this way like it says in this book i bought thats written by Dr Somethingorother"
I also agree with the no detailed drawings for jobs, although quite frequently, i get sketches drawn in the dirt on the back of the van, or on the floor of the trailer with a nail, or if im really lucky on the back of the bosses empty Hamlet packet heh.
Back on topic : Dont take any bull from them, hold your ground and dont budge. Make it clear to them what their options are. And if it is redone - make sure theres clear instructions as to what is to be done 
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:59 pm
by Dave_L
You did get a detailed quotation beforehand, I take it? 
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:34 pm
by davieb69
Hi Dave, yer I got a quote:
cut joints
remove existing back edges
seal joints
apply colas tack coat
remove existing debris
Most of this wasn't done and as far as I see it they dont have a case, but the checky b*****ds sent me an invoice today with a note saying "we've not charged you for the Aco channels!!! I thought that was nice of them..... NOT :O
I'm not saying that I know all about tarmacing, but I've consulted other contractors and looked it up, I think you need to nowadays so people don't rip you off. It's like me giving you a quote to supply and build a computer, but when I give it to you I leave all the cables hanging out and haven't installed Windows properly. Surely it all comes down to best practice and doing a proper job, not what's in the quotation.
When questioned about why they didn't remove the existing debris (wood, pipe and loose concrete) and ensure the base was good, "it's an overlay, what do you expect". I expect an overlay on the existing drive, not where there wasn't any drive. 
Anyway can anyone recommend a surveyor? As I'll probably need to get the drive independently checked. I don't think they're gonna lie down quietly, do you?
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:17 pm
by lutonlagerlout
personally i would try to sort it out without going all legal on them,because it will cost you a packet
see if they wont come to an arrangement regarding money,try and get them to rectify if your not happy before it turns bitter
regards tony
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:22 am
by Dave_L
How have you got on?
Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:21 am
by davieb69
Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:26 pm
by lutonlagerlout
in pic 5 the tarmac looks to be under DPC??
it looks a fair job to me to be honest ,they have just missed on the finishing touches round the aco and sealing it etc
im not saying its great but i have seen a lot,lot worse
if you look at those little weep holes normally they sit on top of dpc in which case they have risen to within 75 mm ofd dpc or are my eyes playing tricks on me??
cheers tony
