7x1m external render... £2k..?

For some unknown reason... the alleged builder decided to follow the erratic contour from the lower roof upto the main roof.. so now we have to grind back about 40% of length and partially shim out 60% to just about squeeze fascia board & guttering under the fall off the main roof. I understand that this will require some kind of diamond cutting blade... he's whinging about the cost.. I have floated the idea that it may cost/be_less_painfull than taking the whole darn lot off back to stone and starting again.

A 15-20mm wave is not acceptable.. I am capable of waterproofing my house myself at a functional level.. I am paying a tradesperson to make it look ascetically pleasing.. is this not the general idea or am I being naive?

After the first attempt going hollow and a seemingly 5:0 mix being scraped off by hand as it was easier than holding a power-tool.. the builder's different-reality-humour comment of "..at least it stayed on the wall this time.. haha!" was not appreciated. AT.ALL.IN.THE.SLIGHTEST.

The problem I now face is that if I had slain him on the spot then it would have been manslaughter... now that I have had the time to consider it as an option.. it becomes a pre-meditated action.

But he is actually a really nice lad.... don't wanna crucify him...

..just yet

This seems like far to much messing about for a 7x1 meter wall.

The builder clearly hasn't a clue, the wrong mortar has been used, the finish isn't upto snuff, he's had countless attempts already..

He needs to be sacked. And you need to find someone else who isn't by all accounts an idiot.

sxturbo said:

This seems like far to much messing about for a 7x1 meter wall.

The builder clearly hasn't a clue, the wrong mortar has been used, the finish isn't upto snuff, he's had countless attempts already..

He needs to be sacked. And you need to find someone else who isn't by all accounts an idiot.

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..unfortunately I'm so far invested in this farce that it is as bloody to go on as it is to go back.. :-/

How much is this costing you? Not the 2k originally quoted by chance?

sxturbo said:

How much is this costing you? Not the 2k originally quoted by chance?

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still way short of the original £2k, and whilst being erm 'rustic vs geometric' the house (whole terrace) were built using a tangled 'slinky' (70s toy) for a string with only a single spirit level in the entire town... next street down is like a bad trip in Alice in Wonderland...

Am resting my hopes on him coming good on the rest of the work needed.. shed, re-lay patio, etc.
Admitted yesterday that had only rendered onto blockwork before.. assumed stonework would be the same.... and we know about ass_u_mptions

South-Wales Valleys: you either get robbed for a lot of money, or you take your chances and get robbed for less/get_lucky... and therein lies the rub

I already know that he will struggle to break even on the job.. and he could easily have done a runner.. but he hasn't, we both know he's screwed up.. it's not as if it can't be sorted..

Stockhome Syndrome?

The biggest issue is the render is the wrong type for your walls, should be hydraulic lime not cement lime,

But you may we'll get away with it, and it's done now.

At the end of the day as long as your happy that's all that counts.

As you say he's not run away yet, so he obviously cares enough

sxturbo said:

At the end of the day as long as your happy that's all that counts.

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I dunno about that sx. There’s been plenty of customers happy with building works only to have major regrets further down the line as faults become apparent. I do admire the OP's attitude though - I think I’d be a lot less understanding!

I can remember rendering a wall and it not costing more than a curry for two.... 2k is a joke.

It transpires that the fills and scratch were done with a 3:1 sand/cement mix... not sure if I can face having the whole lot ripped off again.
Wall is SE facing and very well protected by adjacent property (to SW) which has a full height flat roof extension.. predominant harsh weather comes from SW/W.

Due to the amount of work required on the whole house... I'm taking a step back and evaluating from a broader perspective. He may not be the best around.. but he is honest.. and that is a rare commodity these days.

..and I know where he lives...

(a little bit of salty gallows humour there)