Gob smacked

[nanna58]

OK hubby being a builder did a garden wall for someone last year, at the end if the job the customer asked would he replace some slabs out the back ,he took up the old ones and put down the new ones .He did it cheaply as a favour because they couldn't afford much.A almost a year on and they rang again to ask if he would pop up.He went today to be told they would like the garage converted to a dining room .But they have had the building inspector out who told them the slabs are too high they need to be got up and to dig down 6in before he will pass the conversion, and that hubby will have to pay.Hubby knows that the slabs need to be 6 ins for the conversion but the that was NOT mentioned a year ago or he would have done it and charged them the correct price. My question is where does he stands legally???? Also it WILL cost three times what he was paid last year as the garden is on z water table.

[MrsD]

Re: Gob smacked

tell em to take a hike

[nanna58]

Re: Gob smacked

That's what I want to do and will when we know where we stand. I'm spitting feathers.

[SaltnVinegar]

Re: Gob smacked

OK hubby being a builder did a garden wall for someone last year, at the end if the job the customer asked would he replace some slabs out the back ,he took up the old ones and put down the new ones .He did it cheaply as a favour because they couldn't afford much.A almost a year on and they rang again to ask if he would pop up.He went today to be told they would like the garage converted to a dining room .But they have had the building inspector out who told them the slabs are too high they need to be got up and to dig down 6in before he will pass the conversion, and that hubby will have to pay.Hubby knows that the slabs need to be 6 ins for the conversion but the that was NOT mentioned a year ago or he would have done it and charged them the correct price. My question is where does he stands legally???? Also it WILL cost three times what he was paid last year as the garden is on z water table.

So when your hubby replaced the slabs I'm assuming that he just took it upon himself to put down the 6 inches of extra hardcore or material which they now appear to be resting?!

Depends on what 'contract' is in place, verbal or otherwise. If he was just asked to replace the slabs (and not remove the 6 inches of material), I'm not sure they have any argument at all and sound like they are just taking the steaming yellow stuff.

[Susie]

Re: Gob smacked

My first thought is tell them to foxtrot oscar - thats my second and third thoughts as well.

[nanna58]

Re: Gob smacked

SnV they just asked to replace slabs , not asked to dig down as he did it for £150 instead of about £500 .As there is a water table running under the ground he concreted them down to make sure there was no movement.Had he known about the garage conversion be would have dug down 6ins ready for the work ,but they just wanted them replaced.

Susie that's sound advice.Do we need legal advice ?


It was a verbal contract.

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: Gob smacked

Email Jo, Nanna. She'll sort it for you!

just say I sent you

Edit - I've emailed you both.

[nanna58]

Re: Gob smacked

Thank you Nid xx

[Joanna Connolly]

Re: Gob smacked

They are trying it on as long as no mention of conversion when original job carried out.

The work they want carried out now is a new contract. Would suggest careful thought given as to whether it is a good idea to do more business with this client as likely to be troublesome.

[nanna58]

Re: Gob smacked

Thank you Jo much appreciated. absolutely not, when main work was finished they asked if he could replace the slabs ,so he did ,no mention of conversion plus this was a year ago.

[SaltnVinegar]

Re: Gob smacked

Sounds to me Nanna like they are trying it on. Put this into the context that 12 months ago they 'didn't have much money', now they have enough money to convert a garage into a dining room and are trying to get your hubby into stumping up the cost for a bigger job than originally asked for, they sound like the sort of people you'd want to do work for.....................

[hopefully the sarcasm was obvious ]

[nanna58]

Re: Gob smacked

Totally agree SnV . I am a bit concerned that the building inspector told them of the problem though and did not give the go ahead on the plans.If there is any comeback I'll have to consult Jo ,we do not intend to contact them anyhow.


Sarcasm plainly obvious.x

[Susie]

Re: Gob smacked

Hang on, re reading the opening post, you say they would like the garage converted to a living room, but if a building inspector has been and will not pass it, it sounds as if they have already done the conversion and he has failed it?
To my logic, if they had put in a proposal to convert then part of the agreement would be that the slabs would need to be lowered first and then the conversion would be ok whereas it seems they have done the conversion first and asked afterwardswhich has resulted in a fefusal from building regs. Therefore there is no way they can hold your husband responsible and if anything they are in the wrong for converting before consulting the council first.

[SaltnVinegar]

Re: Gob smacked

Hang on, re reading the opening post, you say they would like the garage converted to a living room, but if a building inspector has been and will not pass it, it sounds as if they have already done the conversion and he has failed it?
To my logic, if they had put in a proposal to convert then part of the agreement would be that the slabs would need to be lowered first and then the conversion would be ok whereas it seems they have done the conversion first and asked afterwardswhich has resulted in a fefusal from building regs. Therefore there is no way they can hold your husband responsible and if anything they are in the wrong for converting before consulting the council first.

Building regs aren;t necessarily retrospective - you can go to the local authority and obtain full approval before work commences. Sounds like this is what they have done, and the building inspector won't give full approval unless they lower the slabs.

Regardless Nanna doesn't have much to worry about - can't imagine for a second that they have a leg to stand on with holding hubby accountable for this!

[MrsD]

Re: Gob smacked

sounds like whoever drew up the plans didn't do the job properly, they should have included this change in the present job as it appears it is a necessary change. Think these ex-customers have employed a cheapo architect/builder who had no idea what he was doing either therefore applied for the wrong permissions. not hubs fault at all, pretend these chancers just don't exist