Today, we finally have new steps and walkway at our current house. After 2 days delay starting the project, the contractor finished replacing the steps and walkway at our current house. Overall, we are happy that it is finally done so we can move on with listing the house. However, one of us is not happy with the final product. So unhappy, that we held off on paying any additional money to the contractor until we have a chance to further discuss what can be done to fix the problem.
We want to know, what would you do? Take a moment to view the pictures below and let us know how you would feel in this situation. We are looking for honest feedback.
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| Old walkway |
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| Old walkway |
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| New walkway |
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| Old walkway |
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| New walkway |
We are OK with the walkway, even though we lost about 4 inches on each side because the contractor didn't want to mess up the grass because we plan to have a realtor take pictures of the property and house within the next few days. After expressing our disappointment with the 4 inch gap on each side of the walkway, the contractor said he would come back and fill in the sides with top soil. Maybe we will plant some flowers down the walkway and that will solve the problem. Now onto the steps...
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| Old steps |
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New steps
From this point of view, maybe not so bad. |
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New steps
This doesn't look like the old wall |
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New steps
This doesn't look like the old wall |
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New steps
This doesn't look like the old wall |
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New steps
This doesn't look like the old wall |
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New steps
This doesn't look like the old wall |
Now to be honest it's not horrible or unlivable; however, it is not what we agreed upon and that is where one of us has an issue. One of us wants to pay the contractor and move on; the other one wants to either have the contractor provide the product that was agreed upon or accept less money for a product that doesn't match what was agreed upon.
What are your thoughts?
8 comments:
I would have him fill the gaps and move on. You want to get the house listed so I would move on.
I agree, I would also have him fill gaps and move on! I think it looks good! I can barely see any differences besides the gaps :) good luck!
I would ask the contractor if he can make the wall look more like the original one since it looks like he just made it too small. It may be an easy fix but if it's not then I wouldn't spend too much time on it. When you look at it you know it's different and it's clear from the pictures; however, a prospective buyer doesn't know what it looked like before. You won't be in this house much longer so you don't want to let this hold up your progress.
WOW...um.... I guess you could set planters in the gaps at the top and on the big circles at the bottom. That would at least look pretty.
Honestly....It looks like he mixed cement in a bucket and dumped the bucket at the end of the stairs to make the mold there. Seeing the old pictures first, then the new...it looks tacky! Just my opinion though.
You do have to remember that no one else knows what the old way looked like. They'll be just seeing the new one. So it may not be that bad.
Have him fix the walkway (fill it), extend the wall at least, and maybe you can put to planters on those big circles. That would look pretty.
As for payment... I would show him the pics and tell him that his work isn't bad, but it's not what you had agreed on. You expect him to fix the problems without extra cost to you. And if he wants future referrals, he'll knock the down the price for not doing it right the first time. I know...I can be a bit. b*tchy sometimes. (although I'm sure there is a way to phrase it sweetly and not so mean like).
All and all, it's not the end of the world, hon. Like I said, no one is going to know what the before was. The good news is, it is fixed!! GL!!
I like the idea of him putting the sod on the sides and putting flowers there that would look pretty as you walk up and see flowers on the way.
As Noey, said the people who are buying your house would not know what the old walkway looks like and the new fixed walkaway does look good. I would have him fix the gaps on the walkaway a sod would be good.
Good luck let us know how it goes! =)
I love the idea of makin him do the Flowers too! I agree with above ...new people will never notice and it looks good and hopefully house sells upper fast!!
Because its less than what you agreed to, I would pay him less. However, I've looked at the before and after and I really can't see what ya'll are talking about. So if I can't, the buyers definitely won't.
Thanks everyone for your feedback. We met with the contractor today and the contractor got paid; even though one of us disagreed with it.
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