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Gardening & Landscaping

Pointing new Indian sandstone patio and slabs

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.31 PM

We engaged a landscape gardening firm to extend our patio and lay new Indian sandstone slabs around the back and front of the house . We sought several estimates and the boss of our chosen firm seemed very knowledgable and his quote was by far the most comprehensive . His firm also had five star reviews in Rated People and Trusted Traders . They started work on 11 July and there have been many days lost due to rain which we accept is beyond his control . As of now , a number of slabs have still to be laid although the job is substantially complete . The job has been plagued by different staff , absenteeism and staff finishing early or being sent to other work . The last straw was when we told him the patio and slabs required pointing otherwise they were not fit for purpose and unstable . He said this was not on his original price of just over £12,000 but I said this was an integral part of the job and must be . He sent me a bill for £320 extra which I have no intention of paying . We have made progress payments on time throughout the job . He will not come and visit the site , saying trust had broken down . He might pull his staff until he is paid the extra and what do we do then ? We have a 5 per cent retention still to pay .

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4 Answers

Panigada Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Bristol

Hi, I’m not getting involve in yours agreement with the tradesman, but pointing it’s part of laying slabs. You can buy a silicon sand, very easy to lay, different Colors available, good quality and draine water away(if that required) Do it yourself, it’s fun too, all you need it’s water and a broom. Material available in any building merchant Nico

Answered14 August 2020

Rose Landscaping

Rating: 5 out of 5

Trowbridge

Yes the jointing should have been part of bill. I normally use pavetuf jointing compound which is available in buff, grey & black colours. Just wet patio down brush in & joint. Then once dried brush any surplus compound away.

Answered30 August 2020

Hercules Gardening

Rating: 5 out of 5

Maidstone

Pointing a patio, unless specified otherwise, is certainly as much part of the job as laying the slabs themselves. You do not need to stipulate this before work starts, it should be a given. If you felt more comfortable doing this, rather than get him back, a resin bound option which you sweep in would be an easier option, as has been mentioned already in another answer. Hope this helps.

Answered30 August 2020

Anonymous user

Hi. Pointing is actually main part of patio job. Slabs layed on concrete just to get their positions where they will stay forever but main part is pointing. Pointing keeps slabs together from all 4 sides. No heavy walking or using is recommended before pointing is done. All tradesman can ask is colour of grout that's all.

Answered21 August 2020