Urgent advice over pointing getting threatened by contractor
Discussion
Hi Guys I need some fairly urgent advice regards some pointing we've had done by a local contractor who actually has a very good reputation. Basically we've had the front of a terrace house cleaned and re pointed this work we’re happy with. As an add on we had some small side and roadside walls re pointed to match the colour and its this pointing we have an issue with. It’s not the style that’s the problem as its a functional joint as its quite exposed but the fact the mortar looks lumpy and the lumps seem to be unmixed sand. Originally when I brought this up they said it can happen because the sand can come from different pits and it can look different now they say it doesn't matter as there is 20mm deep of mortar and it will hold up until we’re gone! I have asked a surveyor to give an opinion and he seems to think its lazy mixing of the mortar which the contractor disputes. As it stands we are withholding the payment for the walls until we are sure the mortar is ok but have had a threatening phone call from the contractor saying they won’t remove the scaffolding until we pay and they will bring in debt collectors etc
So my question is to any brickies, surveyors etc does this look acceptable from looking at the pictures? and are there any places that specialise in testing mortar etc that I can get advice from preferably London based?
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|http://thumbsnap.com/aMILCWh0[/url]
So my question is to any brickies, surveyors etc does this look acceptable from looking at the pictures? and are there any places that specialise in testing mortar etc that I can get advice from preferably London based?
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|http://thumbsnap.com/aMILCWh0[/url]Thanks for the reply's guys!
I can get a company called Sandberg to inspect and test the mortar http://www.sandberg.co.uk/laboratories/chemistry/m...
Guessing it wont be cheap exercise to do that though.
I've taken a few more pictures, the sandy lumps or lime can easily be rubbed out. I assume these lumps will eventually get washed away buy the rain leaving a swiss cheese look to the pointing. The contractors have said they guarantee their work for 10years against if falling out.
I can get a company called Sandberg to inspect and test the mortar http://www.sandberg.co.uk/laboratories/chemistry/m...
Guessing it wont be cheap exercise to do that though.
I've taken a few more pictures, the sandy lumps or lime can easily be rubbed out. I assume these lumps will eventually get washed away buy the rain leaving a swiss cheese look to the pointing. The contractors have said they guarantee their work for 10years against if falling out.
m3jappa said:
A big thing when I see stuff like this is how much was it, if it was cheap then, well there you go. If it was the right money the. It's a different story.
It was just over £2300 with the vat for approx 25sqm of pointing on those side walls so guessing pretty premium price! We we're rather surprised with the quality compared to the main house see below!
So can anyone say if these sandy lumps are ok for the price?
ShiningWit said:
That's not premium, it works out at £15.33 per sq m and is exclusive of scaffold which would make it a lot more. That's at the bottom end of the price for pointing.
What has the work been done on? In your earlier pics the bricks are so poor I'd say it was an old shed, so maybe it got what it deserved.
Like I said earlier 'Grit is ok as it's tough, sand is not.'
I calculate it cost over £92 per sqm so not sure where £15.33 came from? There was no scaffolding on those walls just on the main house where they've done a good job. They were supposed to do brick repairs at extra cost on any that needed it but they couldn't be bothered to do that. I just seems they took us for mugs over this part of the job and we've picked them up on it hence them getting aggressive. They are refusing a meeting at the property and run through our concerns so I think they know its crap basically! What has the work been done on? In your earlier pics the bricks are so poor I'd say it was an old shed, so maybe it got what it deserved.
Like I said earlier 'Grit is ok as it's tough, sand is not.'
ShiningWit said:
Sorry you're right, I hit the wrong button on my calculator, it's £76.68 Sqm including everything (scaff, muck, skip etc only if used). You're including the VAT which is wrong as that isn't theirs, it's HMRCs. A labour only rate is usually £15 - £25 sqm + VAT, material, scaff etc.
So yes it does look expensive, but you are being very evasive over what has been pointed, there are two distinct styles of brick and pointing in your pics although this works in your favour if you've been charged that for a pig shed.
Not many pig sheds in Fulham. As said in my first post its for two small side walls and a roadside wall in front of a terraced house. They weren't in the best shape but cheaper than building new ones and saves the complication of dealing with five different owners of flats either side hence why we only did our side of things.So yes it does look expensive, but you are being very evasive over what has been pointed, there are two distinct styles of brick and pointing in your pics although this works in your favour if you've been charged that for a pig shed.
ShiningWit said:
I had my garden walls pointed a few years ago by some other guys and no lumps in that 
I've looked at almost every house and wall in Fulham and I cant see any that look like our side/road walls with added sandy lumps. Re the main house they've done quite a few around here and general look the best out the ones re pointed.
[quote=ShiningWit]Ah, now we're getting there, I was wondering why we were getting pics of the backs of bricks - I was just adding to my post as you posted up, please see edit.
So the question is; is the pointing good enough for a garden wall?
The pictures show both front and back of the bricks on the road side wall, they've done the same type of pointing on both sides so anyone who walks past can see the lumpy pointing, the staining at the bottom of the wall is from road salt. The side walls are only pointed on our side and not the neighbors.
So the question is; is the pointing good enough for a garden wall?
The pictures show both front and back of the bricks on the road side wall, they've done the same type of pointing on both sides so anyone who walks past can see the lumpy pointing, the staining at the bottom of the wall is from road salt. The side walls are only pointed on our side and not the neighbors.
TA14 said:
http://www.brickmaster.co.uk/tuck-pointing.html
are you going to make them an offer for what you think it's worth?
If they come over and talk to us then I'm sure we would come to a compromise! As it is they're refusing to a meeting and are getting threats and derogatory remarks via phone calls unless we pay right away!are you going to make them an offer for what you think it's worth?
TA14 said:
Thanks for the link, will give him a call tomorrow!Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff