Just how bad is this?

[DJ_DIY]

The builders who started my extension have left the steel like the pictures below.

Initially they installed the two steels together so the inner skin only sat on less 20mm of the steel. When I asked why i was given the old "That will be ok, it aint going nowhere". The joists were sat in the hangers correctly and were a few mm below the level of the steel. BC wouldn't sign it off so they refittted the steel.

But they didn't remove the steel, they tried to add the spacers in situ. The padstones had to be replaced as they werent big enough. Instead of removing the joist hangers they cut the joists (as the steel had to move inwards) and then removed the cut offs from the hangers. However with changing the padstones the steel was left about 1cm lower than it was was previously. Therefore the joist hangers were still hanging 1cm below the steel but the joists didnt meet the bottom of the hangers and were held in place by 2 nails either side. The mortar is in no way complete and in one section its so thin i can put my fingers between the blocks from the inside. I have a video but cant upload that. They also pushed the inner blocks in so hard my daughters skirting board was off the wall. They came back and fixed that but enough was enough.

The following morning I asked them to fix the joist hangers and leave. They manipulated some joist hangers, bent some and refitted some. The strongboys and acrows were removed and they stuffed the blocks in with little to no mortar. BC have signed this off and the builders are now asking for money.

What are peoples opinions of this and what would you do?

 

[DJ_DIY]

not sure if DIYNOT will let me do this, but heres a link to a video

https://flic.kr/p/2rsxqxr

 

[johnny2007]

Well, look at the bright side: you got rid of them.
Now you can look for a builder to fix everything.
Where the hell did they get white cables???
Last time they were on sale I had dark hair.

 

[accelerator]

Just from the pictures the quality of the work does not look great.

How did you find these builders? From the look of that joist hanger in pic 4, they look like bodgers.

I believe in giving people a fair chance to put things right, but it sounds like you've given them one and they haven't. I'd be looking for some higher quality builders.

 

[DJ_DIY]

Well, look at the bright side: you got rid of them.
Now you can look for a builder to fix everything.
Where the hell did they get white cables???
Last time they were on sale I had dark hair.

I had to, they were about to start block work above DPC.

The white cables were on sale in the 70's I believe.

 

[stevie888]

If BC have now signed off after identifying issue you're on slightly shaky ground in chucking them off the job. I think you certainly have to pay them for the work done now it's ok.

Dare one ask where you found them?

 

[mrrusty]

White cable is readily available https://www.screwfix.com/p/prysmian-6242bh-white-2-5mm-lszh-twin-earth-cable-100m-drum/74493 but is that a choc block I see in picture #7? I'll leave it to the sparkies to say whether that's permitted or not.
Having viewed the video, I would make sure that building control see it and get a second opinion on whether they want to sign it off....If BC won't cooperate, get a second opinion from somewhere else.

 

[DJ_DIY]

is that a choc block I see in picture #7?

Ah the choc block !! That was me, I had to quickly split the cable while they were working. Its only for the "kitchen" light which will be replaced when the sparkie can actually start work.

 

[DJ_DIY]

If BC have now signed off after identifying issue you're on slightly shaky ground in chucking them off the job. I think you certainly have to pay them for the work done now it's ok.

Dare one ask where you found them?

Would any you be willing to pay 5+ man days for "supply and installation of steel"?

BC say the steel is structurally sound. Not sure how the wall above it isn't considered.

 

[johnny2007]

Would any you be willing to pay 5+ man days for "supply and installation of steel"?

BC say the steel is structurally sound. Not sure how the wall above it isn't considered.

They have no liability, that's why.
How many times have they been called out to inspect?
Their approval comes with the clause "as far as we can see".
Then if the mortar above the steel is paper thin, that's your problem.
BC don't go around knocking or drilling things.

 

[mrrusty]

You could just sit on your hands and say " no money until the voids behind that thin mortar are sorted". Let him kick and scream. You have the whip hand. As soon as you pay, he's gone.

 

[Koolpc]

What about getting a survey done on it all? Like an SE to look at?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I ended up in court against an electrician once. Made a right mess of my re-wire, I'd already paid double the estimate and had to re-wire some lights myself. He sent a final bill after I'd told him to clear off, I said sue me if you want paying. Sadly he did.

The small claims court was a right load of rubbish. I took along loads of photos showing shoddy work. They just said there was no contract and no written quote, in the end they ruled I should pay half.

So I saved a few £100s, but had to have a day off work and a load of prep time. I'd have been better off just paying and putting it down to experience. Thankfully the 50% ruling against me didn't appear on any credit records, I don't know whether it should or shouldn't have.

So, assuming you're talking about £100s, I'd say just pay or make an offer of half for them to go away and forget it. Get whatever remedial work done and move on.

Get someone reputable in, get their advice on what to do with it. They may want to remove the joist and replace it, if so then fine.

 

[mrrusty]

.

 

[johnny2007]

Thankfully the 50% ruling against me didn't appear on any credit records, I don't know whether it should or shouldn't have.

If you pay within 30 days of the judgement your credit rating is unaffected as it's satisfied.
You can even ask the court to remove it from your file.