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Original poster

Help ! Builder has cocked up - pictures

113 replies

Doneuplikeakipper · 06/10/2023 00:34

I'm having a new patio and path done in my garden but I'm so upset with what has been done today.
I was out all day until late, so didn't see the builder. I was having the path edged in the same bricks as the wall around the patio but had a quick look when I got home (it was dark) and the edging is a totally different colour. I was meant to have 2 steps up to the grass but only have one which is too high.
I've already parted with £4k , what can I do? I think the owner of the company, who just drops the builder off and then disappears, is going to give me a load of bull as to why it's like this.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
Theunamedcat · 07/10/2023 07:12

What was the agreement in writing?

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 07:17

@Theunamedcat Ii haven't got anything in writing- I know, I know 😞

OP posts:
Donotshushme · 07/10/2023 07:24

It doesn't matter if it's in writing. Put everything in writing now, ie an email to them stating that the agreement was XYZ and you are not happy with the job because of ABC and you expect it to be put right by them doing 123. I would also include everything that you agreed to and what your expectations were along with details of what you expected to pay and when just so that everything is in writing now. If there's anything in that email that he doesn't agree was factually correct then he can respond to it to clarify, but this means that you will have something in writing at this point should it go to small claims later. You have a legal right for the job to be carried out with reasonable care and skill, consumer rights act 2015. Don't pay any more until you're happy with it. Looks as if they're definitely half arsing it and hoping to get away with it. I would have thought they should dig the path down - who in their right mind would want a path sitting 4 inches higher than the grass?! His solution of chucking some grass seed down is laughable.

Citizens advice website and helpline were pretty useful when i called them with a similar issue.

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Zonder · 07/10/2023 07:36

What @Donotshushme said. Include photos.

PenguinLove1 · 07/10/2023 07:36

In your first photos the path was clearly edged with grey stones, why were they removed? Red ones wouldnt look right there.

The step is a big mistake they need to fix. The problem is they have ordered edging stones to match the slabs rather than your existing bricks , but tbh red wont look nice with the modern grey slabs - would have been better replacing the red ones there so its all grey i think.

Just get them to put the grey edging stones back along the path, fix the step and get some red bricks to edge the patio to blend in

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 07:42

They built the red brick wall around the patio . The path was just meant to be set in the grass but I think they edged it with the grey bricks because they realised it was set too high. The grey bricks looked awful next to the red bricks so they took them up.
I have sent him a message via WhatsApp and messenger (screenshot kept) the WhatsApp message still only has one tick- does that mean he's blocked me?

OP posts:
Pearl97 · 07/10/2023 07:48

It’s awful when things like this happen. I’d mention that his colleague said it was awful.
I would list what he needs to do. If he doesn’t reply ask someone else to come and look and give their opinion.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 07:51

@Pearl97 I told him this and he said tradesmen always criticise each other's work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 07:52

I'm scared that if I don't pay, he'll come round and destroy it all.

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looking4pup · 07/10/2023 07:56

The aligning would drive me mad. I though that was what you were going to say.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:01

@looking4pup what do you mean?

OP posts:
Soloparenthelp · 07/10/2023 08:03

They should have dug the path down lower, they haven’t accounted for the base course. They also haven’t set the tiles out correctly, because you are going to have an odd tile at the end, they should have put this at the other end of the path. I think you need to put it in writing to him to give him a chance to fix it, then seek legal advice on recourse if he doesn’t.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:08

@Soloparenthelp I have an awful feeling he's blocked me as my WhatsApp message only has one tick. I've messaged all the things I'm not happy with but I don't think he'll put it right. He was saying how expensive the tiles were so if he has to dig the path up he'll have to buy more.

OP posts:
qwerty123454 · 07/10/2023 08:10

This is one of the main reasons I hope I never need to use a builder

You get reviews and recommendations and then when it comes to it that actual builder doesn't do the job. Instead they send over some random guy who you know nothing about, you've never seen the standard of their work before

It's ridiculous. You didn't pay for an unknown to do the work, you wanted the builder to do it himself

Hope you get it sorted and don't pay a penny more until you're happy and it's all finished

Zonder · 07/10/2023 08:13

Look at his Facebook page - are there reviews? Contact him that way if he has blocked you on Whatsapp. All the tradesmen round here have Facebook pages and advertise on the local group.

Soloparenthelp · 07/10/2023 08:14

That’s his issue about the tiles. As the owner of the business, he should be supervising his staff to ensure quality.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:17

He was recommended by a colleague, so I thought he was ok , all 5 star reviews on Facebook

OP posts:
TibetanTerrah · 07/10/2023 08:18

When did you Whatsapp him? It might be a work phone and switched off at the weekend.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:20

@TibetanTerrah maybe , I'm doubtful though

OP posts:
Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:27

His slab layer is supposed to be coming today so his phone should be on in case he needs to speak to him.

OP posts:
looking4pup · 07/10/2023 08:29

Sorry ignore me.

I thought these were patio slabs and you were taking the photo from upstairs. I see now they are bricks.

I meant this section...

Help ! Builder has cocked up - pictures
Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 08:31

Yes . I missed that bit, but they've removed them now.

OP posts:
Pearl97 · 07/10/2023 08:46

Just to say things like this are horrible and make you feel so stressed. We’re all on your shoulder.

witchhazelnutnut · 07/10/2023 08:49

The raised path is a benefit as it will prevent it flooding. Grass up to the verge is fine too - it won't take long to settle in and will look much more natural than a stone edging. Hopefully it will stay warm enough to grow in before winter sets in. Obviously if you've paid for brick edging and it is not needed, you won't be charged for it (bricks or labour) so your bill should be reduced. Good luck!

AnOldCynic · 07/10/2023 08:55

@Doneuplikeakipper The path should be about an inch lower than the grass so you can effect move the mower over the top and be able to edge the lawn with an edging tool along the line of the path. As it has been laid you are going to get long grass either side you can't maintain.

It's hard to tell but if the path was at this correct height then maybe one step would be fine unless the idea is to have two very shallow steps. It's not an issue having the path lower than the brick wall.

The step/s should also sit between the walls for it to look right.