driveways and paving contractors

Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

The guy was due to come back today to re-do my driveway today but after these conversations yesterday, I've fobbed him off until my solicitor gets back from holidays so have faxed the info over to her to take a look at what my comeback is. I've been to-ing and fro-ing with the idea of him just re-doing the job (concrete over concrete) but am really worried it could be worse than is already there. I'm sick of looking at it at this stage and its holding me up getting my house painted, walls painted, flowerbeds in etc so I think I'll just follow try to put an end to this saga one way or the other.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

SNOWBALL said:
i just wanted to know if there is some sort of remedy or does sse have to get the concrete ripped up.
Click to expand...


Without question, rip it up and start again.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi, just want to bring this subject to light again incase anyone can help me. I've spent the last while since I submitted this last post, sending the concrete stenciling guy solicitors letters. It was back and forth about the mess he's made and he refused to refund my money. So last week, I got a letter from the Solicitor advising me that he has now ceased trading. She says there is nothing else I can do to get my money back. Would anyone out there know if this is correct? I'm only doubting the solicitor as she gave me incorrect information at the beginning when I had asked her about taking him to the small claims court.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Ducky. Been watching this thread with interest cos I have a badly cracked concrete driveway that's down only 4 years and was trying to figure how I'd get it reconcreted and imprinted without digging up the whole thing again. I made a bad choice when doing it first time. Nothing in writing, even the simplest request became an argument and the installers (gang !)would react dangerously (imo) to further action on my part to redeem the situation so I'm not going there again.
I need a new plan. I have a steepish driveway about 33ft long and 9ft wide. Lately I've been thinking that it would look nice if laid out in one of those square brick type finishes.....set in sand etc. Is this a more expensive job than the digup and reconcrete option ? Of course I'd still have to dig out the concrete for the bricks option as well, wouldn't I ? Enlightenment, please.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Ducky, I forget to include in my last post some thoughts on your situation.
I don't know if the job done for you was big or small and that's important but this much I'd venture to say.
Don't waste your money going after the guy legally unless you are satisfied that he has reasonably substantial means and could pay you plus bear the costs, etc. To make that decision, you'd have to get a private investigator to do a background suss on him to determine his worth and even that will cost you but would be advisable before engaging in an unwinnable battle.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

snowball and ducky, i'll make it simple from someone who was in this business for 15 years.
rip it out and do it again.
what you are asking is like trying to undo a cake and turn it back into flour and a couple of eggs! then bake another cake...
only solution to have the levels right fall of the water etc.
what has been said here is stupid advice. putting new concrete straight on top of your botched job is insane. concrete on top of a smooth surface like your existing slab makes movement even easier, your second slab would move so much over time because of this,
concrete is always going to crack no mater what, you need control joins,
because it moves when it cures, different seasons etc shrink in the winter, relaxes in the summer
if you have someone to do it proper then it would be done proper if you rip it up and do it again
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Thanks for your replies. I had a guy around last night looking at it (by the way 1John, its approx 110sq metres). The guy priced me to put down cobble lock but yes, said he'd need to rip everything up and start again. I'm just sick paying for this whole job again, the first job cost me €6K and if I get the guy that was around last night which is a friend of my brothers, he will do the cobblelock at approximately €4K. Just so much to pay out when I don't really know how long I'll actually be living where I am. I don't plan on spending more than a couple of years there but its hard to look at that bad driveway every single day.

I've checked the concrete imprinting guys website and it says its currently being updated. I also emailed a magazine where his ad is placed to ask them if they know whether he's gone into liquidation or not, waiting on a reply from them. I guess its true but would just be sick to see him start up again under another company name and get away with this.

1John - you're probably better getting a couple of professionals to look at your job and get advice on it before you actually go ahead and make changes.

Anyway, thanks very much for your replies. Always a help to get other peoples views.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Ducky, can you tell me who's doing the cobble lock for you? Presuming he's in this comercially.
Leo
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Leo,

He works for a company that provide this service but is doing it as a nixer (and a favour) as he knows my brother well and owes him a few jobs. He hasn't come back with the exact figures as I asked him to price it for a number of different options, different brick work and also for gravel which is my last preference.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

There is another option out the. A 3mm spray on overlay for concrete. It can be aplied to sound concrete. Big choice of colours and designs. You can just cover up a bad job. It depends on how deep the imprints are tho.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Derek,

The imprints aren't that deep but the concrete is sinkng on one side (the part that was newly put in). Would you have any further info on this spray? Perhaps a website or contact name?

Thanks,

Ducky
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

if you can see a print then spray crete is not an option really.
anyting over 5mm will show thru, you will have a new layer on top but all the imprint lines will show thru.
try spraycrete
i don't know them but i googled that name
up to you
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Ducky,

You can claim against a contractor under the Supply of Goods & Services Act. The National Consumer Agency have a helpline and they can fill you in. They may also be able to give some advice about the fact that the contractor is or is not going into liquidation. If he is a limited company the Companies Registration Office can tell you how to search for some basic info on the company. If he has genuinely gone into liquidation and is a limited company it is possibly a little soon for the Companies Registration Office to be aware of it. The CRO also have info on partnerships etc that are registered.

Even if you are getting a new driveway, you can still go after this guy under the Supply of Goods & Services Act. Just keep all documentation and take photos etc of the bothched job.

If the contractor is genuinly going into liquidation, you may need to get advice on the advisability of going after him if he has no assets. I am not too well up on this so don't want to comment.

Good luck with whatever you do.

regards

Guby
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Hi Guby,

I've only just read your message and I must say, thank you so much for the info. I rang CRO and the company has ceased trading since 19th June but they are registered under a different company which of course are the same owners and the same address and have not gone into liquidation so I'll be getting back on to my solicitor to push this through again as I'm not willing to let it go.

Thanks so much for your good advice!

Ducky.
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong

Can I just provide a recommendation for any remediation work that people are looking to carry out - Prestige Paving 0872649054 (Paul, I think)

He laid an imprint concrete driveway for me about 2 years ago and I can honestly say it was one of the most hassle free and professional jobs I have had done.
I have no affiliation to this company, merely a satisfied customer
 
Re: printed concrete for driveway went horribly wrong


I did try Paul a couple of months ago, before I got this guy to do it and Paul was booked up.

I think I'll steer clear from any concrete imprinting after this. Would rather go with another option at this stage.
 
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