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Sniper 6:13 Tue Jul 13
The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Some may remember me posting about this previously. We had a patio fitted by a landscaping company. Long story short, it’s porcelain slabs, fitted ‘butt jointed’ with no room for grout. This is against manufacturers instructions and general national guidelines. The foot or so high retaining wall they built also started to come apart after a couple of months and one step that goes into the lawn is sinking as the base below seems to be some kind of crumbly sand.

We questioned about the laying of the patio and they said it was done that way ‘because we (or more, my wife) told them to’. Not only is this untrue, I can think of at least 7 conversations with them around grout colour, the advantages of grout, how are old slabs were too close and whether we wanted the edges grouted to match the slabs or mortar to match the wall

We had an independent inspection done and I followed guidance on sending them letters, one advising that all the works need doing again and then another advising if I didn’t hear back within 7 days then we would get another builder to rectify and invoice for the difference.

So far we haven’t paid a penny

However, they replied to the second letter although it was weeks after the deadline date had lapsed, saying they would come to ‘correct the snags’. There are no snags just faulty workmanship all round. Before replying to this though, we then had issues with our boiler which started because they concreted over a pipe and filter that we repeatedly advised them required annual access for servicing, broke the filter and caused an oil leak which got air into the system causing it to completely fail all through the winter. I emailed back to advise we had further issues from their work and would respond in due course.

We had to have the drive dug up and fence panels removed to correct it and when the boiler manufacturers came to look at it, they advised it now fails install instructions as the patio is too near the front of the boiler and the warranty is void

So I’m now getting quotes for moving the boiler to rectify this before sending a final letter

Today we had a letter from their accountant (who we’ve never heard of or had contact with before, and not on letter headed paper although a Google search shows he is an actual accountant) asking us to respond to him by 20th July or they will take legal action.

So…

First up, I’m assuming I should reply to the landscapers, acknowledging the accountant letter but not make contact with the accountant who is an unknown, unqualified third party

Second, they missed two clear deadlines to respond initially so have they missed their chance to rectify the works and get anything done for any money?

Third, can I just go ahead and employ another contractor to do the works correctly? It will leave us significantly out of pocket but at least it will be done (and I don’t think I have the energy to take them to small claims - plus the wife of the landscaper has been abusive to my wife face to face and I’d rather put the matter to bed completely)


Thanks in advance for any help - every time I think I know how to proceed correctly something else crops up to muddy the waters.

And if you’re asking what this has to do with West Ham, well I’m a hammer (swt)

Vexed 6:20 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

We are in a pickle arent we?

Call their bluff, opt for the legal action.

Punch the blokes wife in the cunt. Then sort the cunt landscaper out like you should have in the first place.

You're welcome.

Mr Kenzo 6:22 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Shame Fred West is dead, he would have been your man

hammer205 6:32 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Check your house insurance for legal cover

Check out small claims court protocol

Seek citizens advice bureau assistance

Don’t pay the dodgy builder


Report the issue to the police regarding your wife’s provocation

Steady 6:32 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

The key is: So far we haven’t paid a penny

Keep it that way

Write to the accountant explaining you've twice given them an opportunity to rectify the work. Say that you will out of the kindness of your heart give them one last opportunity, otherwise will use someone else to fix their poor work. Also state that you will bill them for any additional costs it takes to rectify their poor workmanship before new work can commence. Keep copies of all letters and send photos too.

Whatever you do, don't pay them a penny

Steady 6:34 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Out of interest, would you wife do her in a 1 to 1 punch up if it becomes nasty again

madeeasy 6:35 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Never have work done by people that have wheels on their house.

Lee Trundle 6:39 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Link to the wife/wives?

Sven Roeder 6:42 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Move house & start again.
Possibly with a new wife

Oh dear 6:46 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Hammer205

Most household polies will have Legal Cover and using it shouldn't effect your annual premium either.

13 Brentford Rd 6:58 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

A letter from an accountant not a solicitor just shows how Mickey Mouse they are.
I'd also go down the route of house insurance legal protection if you have it, and don't let them intimidate you.
They sound like Pikeys, if they are you most likely won't get a penny back

Far Cough 7:33 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Small claims court but not sure what the maximum you can claim for?

Bungo 7:50 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

If their work has been that poor so far, I would be very reluctant to have them back to 'rectify any snags'. If they've shown themselves to be that inept first time, I would be extremely surprised if they suddenly were able to do a decent job second time.

If you do take this view, then it makes thinking about your next step easier, as the option of them returning under any circumstances is at least off the table.

Kaiser Zoso 7:54 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

That's a genius stroke to pull in not paying. I've paid for patio doors and paid the lot, only to find they need to come back and fix 3 small issues.

What do you think their response has been so far?

Well, the upside is that we are having the guttering and fascia boards replaced by the same people, in August. They might be a bit shocked when I don't hand over the £13 grand when they finish that work!!

Sniper 8:09 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Kaiser

It started when we raised concerns with them about the work a couple of days after they finished. They never replied, then his wife called me asking for the money - I asked her about the email query we’d sent and she just said ‘one of the lads said your wife told them to do it like that’

Then they said they wouldn’t come round to look at it and discuss UNLESS we paid them. And said they’d come ‘with the boys’. I might not be street smart but I’m not that thick - the moment we pay we won’t see them for dust.

It’s still going to cost us £1000s extra to rectify as we need to re-buy all the slabs which will have to be broken to be lifted and they’ll be days of extra labour involved

But we’re also looking to potentially move so I’m very aware that any issue around this will cause problems there too until it’s sorted

Upton Park Mark 8:23 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

A few years back I had some railings fitted around some steps in my back garden. Initially I wasn't happy with the work and when I tried contacting the bloke that fitted them I received no response- so I cancelled his cheque.
Unbeknown to me, I was in the wrong. Apparently and according to citizens advice, you have to pay for the work regardless and then make steps to complain following payment. Got it sorted in the end but it neatly came to blows when said tradesman came round shouting the odds.

SecondOpinion 8:24 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

I think I responded to your original post as I have also had issues with my patio, but not on the scale you have experienced.

This must be incredibly stressfull for you and your wife and if it were me, after this amount of time and effort, I'd rip the fucker up and start again, with someone who comes recommended.

Those tiles may not all break, but you may find it impossible to match them with new slabs.

I don't think you will get a penny from the original company if you do get another builder, so don't expect that.

Keep us informed

OneAll 8:44 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Pay the money you posh wanker , bet your wife is a really bitch

Westside 8:57 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Small claims court but not sure what the maximum you can claim for?

Can do it online, via Money Claim Online, a government court service.

Dead easy to use (even I've managed to use it successfully). No need for lawyers to help you.

£100k maximum claim limit. Fees aren't massive, which vary according to size of claim. You can add fees to your claim

Sniper 11:03 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Cheers second opinion

I remember you saying about yours

No offence to anyone on here who is one, but i have a growing dislike of trades people - it’s so tough to find one who’s just decent and trustworthy and does a good job

Bungo 11:34 Tue Jul 13
Re: The saga of my patio - any advice welcome

Sniper 11:03 Tue Jul 13

"it’s so tough to find one who’s just decent and trustworthy and does a good job"

You're right. I managed to find several decent ones over the years that covered most trades, but they're starting to retire (and mostly move to Cyprus), which is not very helpful (to me anyway).

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