Builder Problem.. - Page 6

Pheebs · 11-09-2008, 15:34

Riiight...

Decided to speak to the plastering dude just to find out his reasoning why he thought it was a pants job so if when I spoke to Dan he said "you don't know what you're talking about" I could say "ermm... but this has been said".

Anyway. Plasterers comments:

1. The top had not been evenly aligned. Apparently the chap should have used some apparatus to make the rounded top even buuut instead he did some guess work.

2. At the end of the last layer, the dude should have waited for the stuff to have partially dried and then sponged it down to make it smooth. He apparently has not waiting and done it when it was still wet - making the wall unsmooth and scratchy.

3. He didn't finish off up to the edge of the wall properly (was all splodgey - Picky actually had to fill in in places with cork (??!) or something as there were gaps)

I asked him how much it would cost to do behind the wall where the guy missed off and he quoted £75.

Sooo I rang up Dan... and thanked him muchly for the drive way but said I was gutted about the quality of the wall at the back. I explained to him the problems we had (it wasn't a finished job and what was done wasn't done to a great standard - explained what I was told above) and then said to him I found the quote and it was £315. He still said we're outstanding £85 from the driveway but I know for a fact I would never ever owe people money if I had it. Never. And we had a whole envelope of cash so there would have been no reason for me to pay him up front full for the drive.

So yeh. He got arsey, said we owed him £400, I said it's deffo £315 - which we wouldn't be paying because of the quality it's done to and the fact it's unfinished. I gave him an opportunity to come and finish it - he's not interested.

Eventually he asked how much we'd be willing to pay and I said £200 tops - but hadn't discussed this yet with Picky. He eventually said we'd have to agree to disagree and that he'd want the money next week.

To finish off I tried to say how chuffed we were with the drive and how sorry it's ended like this. I said nothing could be better with the front drive - then remembered that one of the CATV drain top things got cracked when he reversed a lorry over it to dig out all our drive. Sooo said "Oh yeh... everything was perfect but I'm still concerned about the CATV drain cover thing... it's cracked".

He denied it entirely. Said it was like it before. Then said "they're as strong as anything it won't break anymore, but we didn't do it" and I was like "well how else did it crack if you didn't do it?!?! You're lorry man said he'd forgotton the metal covers they put over them if they're going over the top of them and should he go back and you said no it will be fine!!!"

Argh!

Well I hope we don't get the council popping round and charging us for a cracked CATV cover now. I will go ballistic at Dan.

Meh. Stupid builders.

*fully expects her fence to be rammed down tomorrow despite doing all she could to be polite*

Davey_Pitch · 11-09-2008, 15:53

Sounds like you did all you could Pheebs. You had the invoice, you had an independant guy tell you exactly what was wrong, and if the original builder doesn't want to finish the job properly, pay him the £200 and get someone else in to finish it properly. Just remember to not suggest him to anyone if they ask you for a good builder!

Pheebs · 11-09-2008, 16:00

Hehehe

Well we *ahem* picky *ahem* can shove some plastering stuff behind the wall if we need it... but tbh I think I will try and grow wee bushy plants and things behind it to hide it! Only people who look super closely will see it meaning we will be the only ones that know about it

....

... well. And all of you lot!

When you come down here for BBQs anyone who mentions it won't get Pickys special sausage and my baps!

Haly · 11-09-2008, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey_Pitch

Sounds like you did all you could Pheebs. You had the invoice, you had an independant guy tell you exactly what was wrong, and if the original builder doesn't want to finish the job properly, pay him the £200 and get someone else in to finish it properly. Just remember to not suggest him to anyone if they ask you for a good builder!

What he said

Pity it was such a hassle though

A Place of Light · 11-09-2008, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheebs

APOL! You're who I have been mistaken for over here!? Crazyness!

Really?
Howcome?

I've got better legs than you, lol.

A Place of Light · 11-09-2008, 19:40

@ Pheebs.
I'd suggest the trading standards angle. But drop it into conversation first before you jump in with both feet and inform them. Gauge his response, and if he doesn't seem too phased slip in a reference to the small claims court if needed.
Be firm, but let him think he's leading the discussion as people tend to be more likely to compromise if they, from their own perspective, haven't lost face.

Jingo · 12-09-2008, 13:54

Hi Pheebs,

Working in Architecture I have often had issues with construction teams, tradesmen and contractors- ranging from pay conflicts to serious cases of workplace negligence.

When dealing with non-contractual business, such as your case, there is a notable level of difficulty in enforcing any legal prowess, and from scanning this thread I would say your verbal negotiations are indeed at an end.

However, it would in my opinion be worthwhile getting in contact with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) & the Good Builders Guide Tradesman Directory. In addition to these you may wish to contact the National House Building Council depending upon whether or not this chap was a Builder or simply a handyman type.

The feedback system available with these organisations are vital in weeding out the troublesome and problematic tradesman and builders in the UK- with more and more publicity and policies coming into effect that use the recommendation of such websites- it is important that both positive and negative information is reported about workers.

I know this certainly isn't going to help you with your unfinished wall and cracked cover but your input could certainly be the piece of information that stops someone else in future recieving the same hassle.

11-09-2008, 15:34	#51
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Riiight... Decided to speak to the plastering dude just to find out his reasoning why he thought it was a pants job so if when I spoke to Dan he said "you don't know what you're talking about" I could say "ermm... but this has been said". Anyway. Plasterers comments: 1. The top had not been evenly aligned. Apparently the chap should have used some apparatus to make the rounded top even buuut instead he did some guess work. 2. At the end of the last layer, the dude should have waited for the stuff to have partially dried and then sponged it down to make it smooth. He apparently has not waiting and done it when it was still wet - making the wall unsmooth and scratchy. 3. He didn't finish off up to the edge of the wall properly (was all splodgey - Picky actually had to fill in in places with cork (??!) or something as there were gaps) I asked him how much it would cost to do behind the wall where the guy missed off and he quoted £75. Sooo I rang up Dan... and thanked him muchly for the drive way but said I was gutted about the quality of the wall at the back. I explained to him the problems we had (it wasn't a finished job and what was done wasn't done to a great standard - explained what I was told above) and then said to him I found the quote and it was £315. He still said we're outstanding £85 from the driveway but I know for a fact I would never ever owe people money if I had it. Never. And we had a whole envelope of cash so there would have been no reason for me to pay him up front full for the drive. So yeh. He got arsey, said we owed him £400, I said it's deffo £315 - which we wouldn't be paying because of the quality it's done to and the fact it's unfinished. I gave him an opportunity to come and finish it - he's not interested. Eventually he asked how much we'd be willing to pay and I said £200 tops - but hadn't discussed this yet with Picky. He eventually said we'd have to agree to disagree and that he'd want the money next week. To finish off I tried to say how chuffed we were with the drive and how sorry it's ended like this. I said nothing could be better with the front drive - then remembered that one of the CATV drain top things got cracked when he reversed a lorry over it to dig out all our drive. Sooo said "Oh yeh... everything was perfect but I'm still concerned about the CATV drain cover thing... it's cracked". He denied it entirely. Said it was like it before. Then said "they're as strong as anything it won't break anymore, but we didn't do it" and I was like "well how else did it crack if you didn't do it?!?! You're lorry man said he'd forgotton the metal covers they put over them if they're going over the top of them and should he go back and you said no it will be fine!!!" Argh! Well I hope we don't get the council popping round and charging us for a cracked CATV cover now. I will go ballistic at Dan. Meh. Stupid builders. fully expects her fence to be rammed down tomorrow despite doing all she could to be polite __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

11-09-2008, 15:53	#52
Davey_Pitch I iz speshul Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 6,296	Sounds like you did all you could Pheebs. You had the invoice, you had an independant guy tell you exactly what was wrong, and if the original builder doesn't want to finish the job properly, pay him the £200 and get someone else in to finish it properly. Just remember to not suggest him to anyone if they ask you for a good builder! __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

11-09-2008, 16:00	#53
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Hehehe Well we ahem picky ahem can shove some plastering stuff behind the wall if we need it... but tbh I think I will try and grow wee bushy plants and things behind it to hide it! Only people who look super closely will see it meaning we will be the only ones that know about it .... ... well. And all of you lot! When you come down here for BBQs anyone who mentions it won't get Pickys special sausage and my baps! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

12-09-2008, 13:54	#57
Jingo Smother me in chocolate and eat flapjacks with it! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Somerset Posts: 1,854	Hi Pheebs, Working in Architecture I have often had issues with construction teams, tradesmen and contractors- ranging from pay conflicts to serious cases of workplace negligence. When dealing with non-contractual business, such as your case, there is a notable level of difficulty in enforcing any legal prowess, and from scanning this thread I would say your verbal negotiations are indeed at an end. However, it would in my opinion be worthwhile getting in contact with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) & the Good Builders Guide Tradesman Directory. In addition to these you may wish to contact the National House Building Council depending upon whether or not this chap was a Builder or simply a handyman type. The feedback system available with these organisations are vital in weeding out the troublesome and problematic tradesman and builders in the UK- with more and more publicity and policies coming into effect that use the recommendation of such websites- it is important that both positive and negative information is reported about workers. I know this certainly isn't going to help you with your unfinished wall and cracked cover but your input could certainly be the piece of information that stops someone else in future recieving the same hassle. __________________ Last edited by Jingo; 12-09-2008 at 14:16.

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11-09-2008, 19:40	#56
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	@ Pheebs. I'd suggest the trading standards angle. But drop it into conversation first before you jump in with both feet and inform them. Gauge his response, and if he doesn't seem too phased slip in a reference to the small claims court if needed. Be firm, but let him think he's leading the discussion as people tend to be more likely to compromise if they, from their own perspective, haven't lost face.