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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.

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Thread gallery
13
AnOldCynic · 07/10/2023 08:57

Side view of what I mean. They would have to lift that last large slab or if there are enough slabs left lay the steps on top of the slab.

Help ! Builder has cocked up - pictures
Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 09:03

@Pearl97 thank you, it is really stressful, not massively important in the scheme of things but it's a lot of money that my dad left to me and I want it to be right.
@AnOldCynic good diagram thank you.

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Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 09:06

@witchhazelnutnut but the path will always be higher than the lawn so even if grass does grow up to it, I will still have to lift the mower over it to get to the grass on the other side of the path.

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Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 09:10

Just had a message from him, the slab layer isn't well so won't be coming today. I bet he won't be back at all.

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Gettingbysomehow · 07/10/2023 09:14

I can't say anything more helpful than people already have but every goddamned builder that has ever been to my house!!! I've learnt over the years NEVER leave them on their own, they will not telephone you to query anything they need to be supervised to within an inch of their lives.
Nobody can be trusted, doesn't matter how many good references they have, whether they are VAT registered or no matter what website they come from.
Never pay up front. Materials maybe but nothing else. I won't even pay for materials up front.
I will not have any of them in my house unsupervised - ever.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 09:17

@Gettingbysomehow 100% agree. This was done using money that my dad left to me so is even more upsetting.

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DilemmaDelilah · 07/10/2023 09:21

We had our extremely steep garden terraced. I had specified honey coloured slabs, they had grey slabs delivered. Luckily I saw before they were laid and I told them they were not what I had specified and they had to get them changed. If your builder is not doing what was agreed then you need to tell them to undo what has been done wrong, and to do it properly. If you specified that your path should be edged, then it should be edged. Similarly with the height of the path. However... If nothing is in writing then you would have a very hard time proving what you had agreed, so I really hope your specifications are included in your contract!

Pearl97 · 07/10/2023 09:39

We live and learn about getting things in writing. We all want to live in a world where people are trustworthy and do what they say. I know there is a lot going on in the world, but it sounds like you wanted to do something nice with your Dad’s money, so it’s ok to be upset. I’m thinking of you, and hope to get sorted soon xxx

RingALingADingDong · 07/10/2023 09:45

How did you pay @Doneuplikeakipper ? You may be able to get the money back via your bank or credit card

User478 · 07/10/2023 10:01

Strange how all these tradespeople get I'll when work needs fixing.

Our builder's wife had 2 miscarriages when our roof needed fixing due to his corner cutting. He didn't know I knew his wife through a baby group and met his very much alive baby.

Darkmode2 · 07/10/2023 10:23

User478 · 07/10/2023 10:01

Strange how all these tradespeople get I'll when work needs fixing.

Our builder's wife had 2 miscarriages when our roof needed fixing due to his corner cutting. He didn't know I knew his wife through a baby group and met his very much alive baby.

Doesn't get much lower than that does it! Appalling thing to lie about.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 10:48

The owner said he will come round on Monday to discuss, no mention of the slab layer coming.

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NigelHarmansNewWife · 07/10/2023 11:04

Slab layer has done what was convenient for him in the time he was being paid for is my bet.

The only tradesperson we have used who has consulted on issues properly and done as agreed every time has been a woman painter and decorator.

SleepySusan · 07/10/2023 11:06

I guess the issue here is that you have enlisted a builder to do a landscapers job.

My partner is a landscaper and has dealt with previous work of builders, unfortunately they are not know for their attention to detail and do things in the cheapest/easiest way.

I would ask them to add what’s missing at their cost.

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 07/10/2023 11:09

@SleepySusan he is a landscaper or that's what he advertises as, he doesn't actually do the work though.

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AnOldCynic · 12/10/2023 10:39

@Doneuplikeakipper how did you get on?

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 12/10/2023 12:58

He's taken the light grey blocks up and is building 2 steps .

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Soloparenthelp · 12/10/2023 22:33

Sounds like you have got a resolution ?

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 13/10/2023 17:59

@Soloparenthelp yes , of sorts. They have built 2 steps now and have changed the light grey bricks for darker ones that match the slabs . A couple of the bricks along the edge of the path aren't perfect and the slab on the step could have done with being set in the middle with 2 smaller strips each side to make it symmetrical but I don't have the heart to make the (new) lad change it, he worked through some awful weather yesterday and is still working now.

Help ! Builder has cocked up - pictures
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LIZS · 13/10/2023 18:32

Better but not exactly centred, although two slimmer strips might have been more fragile. Not sure even the brick edge to the path is matching on each side and the colour variances could have been better placed.

minipie · 13/10/2023 18:45

Ah that’s looking better. I actually prefer the path edged in dark grey rather than red, makes it look wider. The red brick variances will disappear with a few months’ weather so don’t worry about that.

I would however ask him to cut a strip off the step slab’s left hand side to match the strip on the right hand side as the asymmetry would drive me bonkers.

The raised path has pros and cons. Yes you will need to lift the lawnmower and may need a strimmer. But it will protect against flooding as a pp said, so keeps the path/your feet cleaner, and also stops grass/soil settling over the edges of the path and hiding the path over time, as inevitably happens with recessed paths.

Wendysfriend · 13/10/2023 18:56

You could ask him to score a line in the slab in the step, it'll save him lifting it up completely and cutting it . That would then look the same as the right hand side. It would take no time to do that.

minipie · 13/10/2023 18:56

Yes scoring is an excellent idea if that’s possible!

Original poster
Doneuplikeakipper · 13/10/2023 18:56

@minipie I might just draw a line on the slab on the step with a sharpie so that it matches the other side 🤣

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minipie · 13/10/2023 18:57

Doneuplikeakipper · 13/10/2023 18:56

@minipie I might just draw a line on the slab on the step with a sharpie so that it matches the other side 🤣

😂 no don’t do this