[Timmy C]

I don't want to bore anyone that reads this with details but if you had a load of work done on your house including a large patio area and quickly discovered the patio had been laid badly what would you do?

I've had three independent patio layers round since who have all said pretty much the same thing i.e it's all gonna have to come up. Has anyone had similar problems? I can and will hold back his final payment but to be honest I'm a little concerned about a mini war kicking off!!

Any advice?

[shahedz]

tell him, exactly what you have discovered, explain you are paying him to do a decent job and the patio hasn't been done well and you are not paying him to do a poor job,

Present him with facts as to why it is a bad job and why you are holding back payment and make sure he can't squirm out of it

[Timmy C]

Cheers for the reply. I was gonna be doing that anyway but my concern now is he'll say he'll fix the problem himself but from what I've been told and what is obvious from what I can see is he can build brick rooms but doesn't have a clue about anything else! What it comes down to is he doesn't know what he's doing and won't be able fix the problem anyway but I'm sure he'll not just walk away without a fight!

Not sure anyone will be able to help on here but still appreciate your comments.

[Pat_C]

What is wrong with the patio? And did you see what the builder did in terms of laying the concrete base?

[Kwman]

Make sure if you aren't gonna pay that you have back up. He could get aggressive if the thinks it will help get his money.

[Timmy C]

The patio is holding water very badly in places and has also been laid too high which apparently will cause problems with damp to the house. Not sure about what he's done as far as the base goes and to be fair I don't feel he's a 'cowboy from hell' but he's taken on a job he can't do.

As far as holding back payment I can take care of myself quite happily if it comes to it but I don't want to spend my time watching my back!

[Pat_C]

I believe there is supposed to be a gap between the patio and house if they join above the damp course level. Obviously it should be level and not attract pools of water, and also have a 'run off' away from the house.

You are right not to pay any money that is outstanding on this, and if your builder argues then you should calmly point out that he has only two options - to correct the problem, or for you to put the outstanding money towards paying someone else to do so.

[George a L]

You will find advice on pavingexpert.com on how to deal with your problems.

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by Pat_C

I believe there is supposed to be a gap between the patio and house if they join above the damp course level. Obviously it should be level and not attract pools of water, and also have a 'run off' away from the house.

You are right not to pay any money that is outstanding on this, and if your builder argues then you should calmly point out that he has only two options - to correct the problem, or for you to put the outstanding money towards paying someone else to do so.

You are wrong about using the outstanding monies to pay towards someone else putting the job right.
If this builder is incapable or unwilling to put right the problem the OP can employ another builder to do the job and the first builder will have to pay the FULL cost that the second builder charges.

[Pat_C]

Originally Posted by Phil57

You are wrong about using the outstanding monies to pay towards someone else putting the job right.
If this builder is incapable or unwilling to put right the problem the OP can employ another builder to do the job and the first builder will have to pay the FULL cost that the second builder charges.

Maybe, but getting the full amount for the work to be redone out of the builder is very unlikely if he has refused to correct the problem. You would have to be prepared to pursue that through the courts, and may still end up with nothing. What I suggested was more practical, but its value depends largely on how much is outstanding.

[bouncer]

TBH The reason he can't really do much is becasue hes a builder :P

If he says he can lay your pipes and stuff, yea he probally can he wont do as good a job as a pluber thats why there builders the dabile in it all (just very badly)

[bobsplace]

Originally Posted by bouncer

TBH The reason he can't really do much is becasue hes a builder :P

If he says he can lay your pipes and stuff, yea he probally can he wont do as good a job as a pluber thats why there builders the dabile in it all (just very badly)

[bouncer]

Originally Posted by bobsplace

Yea im thinking the same thing after reading that hunk of crap I wrote :P