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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Garden landscape. Not happy. What do you think?

64 replies

Livinginchaos · 09/08/2021 19:38

I had my garden landscaped recently. This is the first time I have ever had a big job done in my house. Something I have saved up for a long time for.

The tradesman is in tomorrow and I am not sure if aibu re some of the issues I want to bring up. Can anyone help me please?

The edge of the patio isn't straight. See picture 3 as an example but this is all around the edge of it.

The step doesn't seem finished and looks ugly. We agreed to a wooden edging but you can see the concrete layer above it. See picture 2

He has put wood alongside the edges of the patio but it looks rubbish. See the gap between the wood and the paving slabs, and between the two adjoining sections of wood. He also has put little wooden struts alongside it which looks awful and doesn't seem necessary. See picture 1

He also said he would take out a tree but now says its too difficult and I need to pay a tree surgeon to do it. He has left me with a stump.

Patio is not evenly placed: some gaps where pointing is are extremely thin and some much wider. Mumsnet won't let me upload another picture but you can probably see from the ones here. I know he will say that the nature of the slabs is that they are uneven, but this seems like an excuse for the level of differences between the slabs.

Am I being unreasonable? Would you be happy with this?

He comes over tomorrow to finish off so I need to be prepared with what I want to say.

Garden landscape. Not happy. What do you think?
Garden landscape. Not happy. What do you think?
Garden landscape. Not happy. What do you think?
OP posts:
Original poster
Livinginchaos · 09/08/2021 19:43

Sorry for lack of paragraphs. Did it on my phone and they disappeared when the post uploaded.

OP posts:
YelloYelloYello · 09/08/2021 19:44

I’m currently saving for a patio/garden. It’s taking ages, I hadn’t realised how expensive it is. I think if I had saved all that money and waited all that time I wouldn’t be happy either OP.

What’s his plan for tomorrow?

Arsebucket · 09/08/2021 19:46

Oh lord, OP that’s really shoddy work Angry

The slabs are layered terribly. How much have you paid so far?

Arsebucket · 09/08/2021 19:46

*laic

DramaAlpaca · 09/08/2021 19:48

Good lord, that is a mess! That is very poor work and I wouldn't be happy at all.

cameocat · 09/08/2021 19:49

That is shoddy work, I would also complain.

Thehop · 09/08/2021 19:50

YANBU

CiderJolly · 09/08/2021 19:55

It doesn’t appear to be a professional job.

What has he quoted you? What have you paid so far?

Grenlei · 09/08/2021 19:55

I'd say hes done an average job. He's laid the stones, they look to be level.

The big question is how much did you pay and how did that compare to other quotes?

As an example, I had a job done in my garden last year. I paid half the price of the cheapest other quote to the guy who did the work; I've ended up with something slightly rough around the edges but I wasn't convinced any of them would do any better, so I decided to go for the cheapest. I'm not delighted with the finish but the job is done and I have 'saved' myself 2k in the process.

If this guy was as or more expensive than others and/or you've paid a lot for the job, you may have more cause to complain.

longtompot · 09/08/2021 19:55

I would expect the wooden edging to be the same width and would also expect it to cover the paver edges. I would also expect the line down the bamboo fetching to be straight.
I'm not sure how I would go about getting that across to him though. Maybe before he starts just ask if you can have a chat about some things you've noticed that you are not happy with and see what suggestions he comes up with the rectify them.

AnnaSW1 · 09/08/2021 19:58

It looks a bit crap. You're right

Jellycatspyjamas · 09/08/2021 19:59

I have had a patio laid with very similar slabs, yours don’t look ok at all - the wood looks terrible. Here’s how they did mine.

Garden landscape. Not happy. What do you think?
QueenStromba · 09/08/2021 19:59

I'm having my patio done soon and I would not be happy if they did a job like that.

AngryWhompingWillow · 09/08/2021 20:00

That's shit sorry OP. I would refuse to pay, or demand it's done properly!

Bagelsandbrie · 09/08/2021 20:04

That is awful. Sorry. Don’t pay. Complain until it’s put right. Take lots of photos.

SwanShaped · 09/08/2021 20:05

Oh no!

Thethreecs · 09/08/2021 20:10

Oh WOW that's really bad. Nothing is even, there's alot of trip hazards. I'd definitely point out what you're not happy with and see what he can do. All those edges should be even and smooth and nothing sticking up or uneven.

Calmdown14 · 09/08/2021 20:14

Is it actually finished? When I had mine done they cut a straight line along the edge once complete as it was on a strange angle (although does seem harder with your fence). The wooden edging does look permanent.

aubreyii · 09/08/2021 20:21

That is shit.

steppemum · 09/08/2021 20:28

OK, focus on what you wnat him to change.

for example, the wood round the edge is crap, not a proper finish and the odd wooden stakes makes it look like it is temporary.
he needs to change that whole wooden edge.

the edge of the step is rubbish, looks unfinished. What do you want? I would want it tiled with vertical pieces of the patio stone.

Go back to his quote. What does he say? You need to hold him to what he has agreed.

Lotusmonster · 09/08/2021 20:49

Hi Op, I’m a garden designer. My comments are:-

  1. joints are irregularly spaced. Big variation. Joints don’t look fully finished. He needs to relay the whole patio correctly using spacers.
  2. wood edging ….not ideal. Who suggested it? If you specified this then you can’t expect him to rectify at his expense. Personally granite cobbles would give a better finish to the job or hardwood sleepers.
  3. Step - there is a riser missing. You can see the mortar bed because the vertical face ought to have the same paving material on it …a finished riser. Sorry it is a bad job. Did you have any kind of references or written agreement in place?
Lotusmonster · 09/08/2021 20:52

What kind of mortar was used OP? Looks like Easy Joint or Sika Fast Fix (yellow tub)?

Yesitsbess · 09/08/2021 20:56

Are you comfortable challenging this face to face on your own? This is important re: my advice, I'm a gardener and I would not be thrilled with this from a landscaper.

CheddarToldMeTo · 09/08/2021 20:57

Hmmm doesn't look great I'm afraid and I would complain. As a comparison, my husband caught our landscapers doing lines of cocaine and our garden turned out rather nicely 😂😂

3luckystars · 09/08/2021 20:59

Is the wood staying? Or is it just holding everything in place until he comes back?