Devastated - can't believe my builder did this

What was your DH doing while they were ripping the garden out? Didn't he check what they were doing? I can't believe it's a quick job to rip out plants and shrubs so what did he think the builder's dad was doing?
I'd ask firmly for money off. Really it should be two discounts. One for the length of time and one for destroying your garden.
It's very sad about his wife but it doesn't change what's happened.

But as I said, this must’ve taken more than one day to clear the builders rubbish, remove a number of established trees, a lawn etc.

He didn’t look out after work? Or before work the next day? To at least lessen the destruction?

I literally said did it really only take one day in my original post.

I would be considering some kind of legal action tbh.
If it wasn’t included in the work agreed; wasn’t paid for; then essentially it’s theft! Did your DH actually agree to it??? You need to know exactly what was said.

Also what are they expecting you to do now? Re landscape the garden from scratch?? What a bizarre thing. Are they hoping you will pay them to do it?? I can’t understand why they would do this.

You need to know exactly what was said. I would ring the builder and ask why they did it and hear their response; make notes or record it.

Then, assuming DH hadn’t said ‘please clear the garden of all plants and trees back to bare earth’, I would seek legal advice.

Then based on what they said; I would either go to court, or I would threaten that to the builder and seek damages avoiding court.

So sorry this has happened to you.. I would feel the same. Your builder sounds v unprofessional x

Why on earth did the builder do that . No one in their right might clears up by removing a garden . Totally awful and I’d be livid to

OP, this is devastating and you need time and space to grieve. You are grieving for something beautiful and sentimental that you loved and gave you joy, and that was suddenly and unexpectedly destroyed. It is way too early to "look for positives": those will come with time. Right now there are no positives: you have suffered a loss of something dear to you and need to process it at your own pace.

I would tell your DH you don't need ideas or solutions, that you just need understanding and support to deal with how you feel. He can help by dealing with the builder himself if this is too much for you right now, and holding your space for you.

I fully understand how you feel. I am so sorry your beautiful garden was destroyed. You won't lose your memories of it, and one day you will be able to look back and still remember the joy you felt instead of focusing only on the pain of its loss. But until that day comes, it will hurt. Allow yourself to feel the hurt and cry. Give yourself some moments of rage for how unnecessary it was, and some moments to just think "it's not fair!". Sit on the ground where your beloved plants were and remember them. Say goodbye to them and wish for some of them to grow back. Let yourself feel the air around you and the ground beneath your body. Tell them you loved them, and thank them for the joy they brought to you, and how sorry you are that they are gone.

Big hugs xxx

Presumably DH was out at work

Id definitely take photographic evidence especially if you have photos of the garden before they started work.

what have they left in place of all the mature trees, did they use a tree stump grinder or just chainsaw them to the ground. That sounds as extreme as you can possibly get.

Id consider taking them to the small claims court, or at least get some legal advice. The photos will be useful to show the extremes of what they've done,

I can totally understand how you are feeling, coming back to that.

Im sorry but given the build is a year late, it seems the only thing done quickly is ruining your garden.

I don’t understand that your DH never once viewed the garden mid digging and seeing established trees that would’ve taken some time to remove being dug up and stopped any more damage being done.

What rooms overlook your garden, did he never look out of those and see clearing the garden meant more than the rubble etc being removed, which again would’ve meant time taken.

Is your DH saying all this work from very slow builders took just one day and he never noticed? Or he never once looked in the garden for progress.

Sorry, your DH took his eye off the ball with all this.

But very upsetting for you, end of the build at last and you’re upset at the result. Understandably.

Has he dug everything out? Some might grow back.

Philistines like your builder wouldn’t be able to distinguish the difference between weeds and shrubs/trees. They just see anything green and want it removed as it looks messy. He probably has fake grass.
I would ask chat gpt to help you write a letter that sounds legal/formal stating that no further payment will be made until the trees and shrubs are reinstated. If he doesn’t comply, I would get a solicitor to write a letter. The lawn is easy to deal with but he needs to put the trees and shrubs back or replace them with new.

Oh my fucking god. I’d consult another builder if you know anyone and a lawyer and consider requesting some set right costs. I’d be so devastated, you poor thing.

Just explain the ‘clear the garden’ in this context with no prior talk of landscape was taken to mean ‘clear the garden of the builders’ material, not flatten the garden and rip out plants.’- then ask builder what he proposes

Oh my goodness OP! I would be absolutely devastated. I really feel for you. I love my garden and every plant and shrub in it is special and dear to me. I just can't imagine how I would cope with that.

I've had builders working on my home these past 8 weeks and I had scaffolding up for part of that time. And it's totally bewildering to me how the workmen seem to have such little regard for the plants and shrubs. They've damaged some , which will recover, and they've destroyed 4 or 5 perennials and made a dreadful mess of the lawns. But absolutely nothing on to what has happened to you.

I would be having really strong words with the builder as to what on earth he thought he was doing destroying your pride and joy. And I would be expecting compensation from him. Money will never replace what yoh have lost but it would at least be an acknowledgement of what he has done.

I think it’s an unfortunate misunderstanding
everyone’s presumed
the builder saw trashed garden and presumed your redoing it after extension
your DH presumed he just meant remove the rubbish
He did ask if it was ok to clear the garden and that’s what he did

So you’ve spoke to him and he explained it was because it was overgrown? No wonder he is a year over if he is pulling out tree roots as favours? That just doesn’t happen

He removed the lawn??

But you don’t need to ‘go mental’ - just advise that this was never part of the extension work you employed him for and ask him how he will rectify.

You’re asking what to do / say op - what would you say if you hired a builder to do a new kitchen and when they left they cleared your bathroom as well - obviously you advise the builder this was not part of the job and they need to rectify. So same applies here surely?

I think I’m about to add insult to injury with this thought - but do say something to the builder, as you could end up with an additional bill for this ground clearance work. As PPs have said, it is a lot of work to do so I think there could be an extra invoice on the way. As well as the loss of your beloved plants.