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Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 3:57 pm
by lucysmum2011
Hello all.
We are currently having a patio laid in our garden. We have opted to indian sandstone.
I have a couple of concerns of which i wanted to ask about, i have attached photos too.
1. The patio seems to slope upwards away from the house so any rainwater will come back towards to house, they are installing an act drain next to house - is this okay?
2. they have laid the slabs on a sand/cement base - is this normal? i watched out to see if they dotted and dabbed and they didn't each slab bed was done individually.
3. is the patio a bit wonky? it sits straight along the edge of the house but seems to veer off a bit.
We have never had any work done in our garden before so are a bit clueless really.
any thoughts appreciated.
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 6:08 pm
by seanandruby
Upload some photo's mum.
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:24 am
by lucysmum2011
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:26 am
by lucysmum2011
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:28 am
by lucysmum2011
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 11:28 am
by GB_Groundworks
god thats rough, dry mix won't bind the slabs, has it got any cement in it? should be a moist mix. the joints are awful and should be no long straight joints or + where four corners meet. looks like they don't know what they are doing
also looks like the level of the drain will compromise your air bricks
id stop them now have you paid them?
did you get a few quotes look at previous work or speak to previous clients?
its clear they've not used string lines to line joints through like you say the picture through the door looks squiffy as the joints don't line through.
cowboy radar going off
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1464345087
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 12:33 pm
by lucysmum2011
The mix has cement in i saw them mix it up so isn't just sand. We've paid £1450 and are due to pay another £1500 when complete. What do you do to stop though? where do you stand with getting money back? I'm 37 weeks pregnant and can't be doing with that! we looked at previous work and got 4 quotes this was mid range at £2950 others varied from £2-5k. Gutted.
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 6:19 pm
by DempseyLiverpool
Like GB says it doesn't look good !! Don't seem to have done much prep, drains should have gone in first. How many square metres in total you having done ?
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:25 pm
by lucysmum2011
Were having 180m2.
The work is done. We've paid the deposit but haven't settled the bill. We're not happy with the work and have asked it to be put right. Plus my OH has found a problem with the way they have installed the ACO drain.
Not sure where we stand. Whether to get someone else in but I have no idea who? Can you recommend anyone local in Cambs area ?
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:51 pm
by dig dug dan
As said, the drain should have been put in first, then they could run the slabs from that. I noticed in the corner by the building a sewer pipe. I hope they havent tapped into that?! 
Why not drain it away from the house?
as giles said, needs to be a wet mix. Those slabs will just lift up easy.
Not good im afraid
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 9:49 am
by GB_Groundworks
180m2? is a big area and would be £16-18,000 ish do you mean 18m2?
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 9:53 am
by DempseyLiverpool
180sqm of stone paving ?? Are you sure thats an 18k job
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 10:33 am
by lutonlagerlout
its not a lot of Kop Lucys mum
as said levels are all over the place,huge joints Aco drain goes in first you name it
I would hazard a guess its more like 18m2
in your neck of the woods the price isnt too far out for a proper job
LLL
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 10:57 am
by lucysmum2011
Sorry I meant 48m2 not 180m2
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 11:01 am
by lucysmum2011
I just don't know what to do though. Do I refuse to pay? Speak to citizens advice? Ask them to relay ?
