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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What is fair to pay?

10 replies

WorldMap24 · 04/10/2024 11:28

Used a local tradesman to fit a shed base. Always said that we want to put a shed on it, and the quote details that it is a shed base, so no confusion over future use. We got the plastic shed bases that come in squares etc to use with pea shingle. Price was agreed at £1115. Area was 14ftx10ft.
We paid up front around half the value. When he completed the job he sent my husband a photo, assured him it was level and he'd checked it with his 2 metre spirit level and asked for final payment. I came home and could instantly see it wasn't level. I don't have a big spirit level but I got a set of ladders which are straight, and lying them down it was massively obvious that it bulged in the centre. The guy came back to talk it over, I agreed to pay him a bit more (paid over 80% by this point) and he would come back to fix it. He came back yesterday and has made it better than it was, but it still isn't level! I can't lay a shed on it as it is. When laying the ladder down on it, it is raised two inches on one end, so we aren't talking millimetres difference. I owe him £180 but I don't want to pay. I've given him the chance to fix it and he hasn't. Am I obliged to pay him? I think what he has received so far is fair for the work completed. DH hates confrontation and just wants to pay him.

OP posts:
Autumnalfun · 04/10/2024 11:30

Depends how up for a fight you are. Personally I’d email or text and say thanks but it is not level still please see the pic. Please arrange a date to come back and resolve.

id then buy a spirit level and one of you ne there the next time.

bifurCAT · 04/10/2024 11:52

This is pretty much the ONLY thing you need from a foundation.

Not flat, not paid. I wouldn't be spending more on it either. He had one job.

Blinkii · 04/10/2024 11:54

How is it worth £935 for an area that's not fit for purpose and can't be used for what it was intended for?

TheDrunkenClam · 04/10/2024 11:57

Are you absolutely sure that your ladders are straight? Has he showed you the spirit level on the base confirming it is level?

WorldMap24 · 04/10/2024 13:22

Blinkii · 04/10/2024 11:54

How is it worth £935 for an area that's not fit for purpose and can't be used for what it was intended for?

That did include a skip and some (not all) of the materials. He has been paid £320 for labour for a 2 day job, he wanted £500

OP posts:
WorldMap24 · 04/10/2024 13:24

TheDrunkenClam · 04/10/2024 11:57

Are you absolutely sure that your ladders are straight? Has he showed you the spirit level on the base confirming it is level?

He hasn't shown me no. But I do have a smaller, spirit level. Some parts are flat but others are way off

OP posts:
cinammonfishsticks · 04/10/2024 13:35

I think you need to ask him to come over and show you in person the 2m spirit level laid on the surface. It doesn't sound like you're checking it's level in the most scientific way, and if it is unlevel you'll both be there looking at it and he can't object to the fact that it's unfit for purpose and you can discuss exactly how he is going to rectify

ItTook9Years · 04/10/2024 13:37

cinammonfishsticks · 04/10/2024 13:35

I think you need to ask him to come over and show you in person the 2m spirit level laid on the surface. It doesn't sound like you're checking it's level in the most scientific way, and if it is unlevel you'll both be there looking at it and he can't object to the fact that it's unfit for purpose and you can discuss exactly how he is going to rectify

This.

TheDrunkenClam · 04/10/2024 14:35

WorldMap24 · 04/10/2024 13:24

He hasn't shown me no. But I do have a smaller, spirit level. Some parts are flat but others are way off

A long spirit level will be more accurate over that kind of area than a short one or a set of ladders. You need to get him back to show you and take it from there.

TeabySea · 10/10/2024 11:55

Standard way to measure larger areas is with a long plank of wood laid across at various angles, all measured with a spirit level.
If he can't get it straight as agreed then he shouldn't be paid.
If he will fix it, then he gets the outstanding amount.

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