I have had a wrap around extension that involved my concrete driveway and rear patio being removed. The extension was block built and has roughcast render. At the start of the build, i asked what would be done around the outside of the new part and my builder told me he would "make good" around the outside and wouldn't leave it a muddy mess. Were nearly finished but on hold with some internal work as the kids are off school so we dont have the room for trades to work safely. In the mean time I asked the builder to finish up outside and come and tidy up, and he has taken large items away but it still a huge mess. The blockwork people left piles of off-cast cement in the corner in front of the garage, there is rubbish, bits of piping and all sorts of offcuts on the ground, it is just wet clay mud, uneven and covered in discarded render, and the drains are sticking out above the surface. I asked if this is how it's being left and he said he could come and throw some gravel on it if I wanted.
Obviously I should have asked him to be clearer on what "Making good" meant, but out of interest, how should I expect the outside if my property to be left after an extension?
Thanks for your help.
UPDATE: Talked it through with the builder and they have cleared all rubbish and laid gravel so it's looking much better. Thanks for all the advice.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
as you have answered yourself in a mess,
it really depends on what you have in writing concerning , what will happen , when , and if all rubbish will be removed and sufaces restored with what ever materials you deem fit, this can then be costed into any job to get a final quote,
unfortunalley most people look at the price and go for the cheapist quote then find out half the stuff they ecpecteped to get done is not, its all about communication between you and your tradesman and getting things in writing then there is no miss under standing about what is expected of both partys,
a verbal aggreement means nothing in law you employed him to build an extension that is exactly what he has done, you did not employ him to landscape around the garden so its not been done, sorry but this may be a lesson learned get everything in writing.
good luck alex
When you get the job to doit you have to be 100%
Some cauboy builder the don't know what is good finish
Answered21 February 2021
2
Anonymous user
I believe that it should have been made clear and in writing from the start what the final finish would be, however any rubbish, debris etc should be removed and the area left completely clean and safe, certainly if there are children at the property. That should be a given without any kind of dispute. The only thing to decide would be the final finish or the ground, whether you gravel it or use slabs or what ever
During any project , the site should be kept as tidy as possible , this displaying a professional and courteous working environment.
Making good at the end of the project, means at the end of the project it is left in tidy condition ( no building materials left).
Communication between client and contractor throughout the project is key to a happy period of construction.
The contractor should always be considerate to the site and clients need of access and to their home.
The client should always be aware that during a project there will be some mess and upheaval of normal day to day life.
Again Comminication between client and contractor is key.
