Not happy with the work of someone I hired to pour me a concrete patio. I paid half up front and the other?
half is due right now. I live in Texas, what can I do?
The problem is that he hand mixed all the concrete. So he mixes the concrete, then does half of the slab. Then mixes again does the other half. The first half is about the color I would expect but the other half is a dark grey.
He did the work, bought the materials, hired people to help him, so it isn't like not paying is an option. But I'm just not happy with the way it looks and I think when I get ready to sell the house if the buyer is anything like my wife, that could become an inhibitor.
Legally what can I do? What would you do?
rutgersgroup2008-01-16T07:20:52Z
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This is a common complaint.
Concrete companies never guarantee that the color of concrete will be the same.
Normally the color evens out over time.
if you feel the color is important after about six months coat the concrete with a colored sealer.
This will guarantee that color is the same, make the surface easier to clean, and protect the surface of the concrete.
Give the concrete time to cure properly. The newer is always darker because it is wetter, even though it appears hard, it is still setting. Wait, it will turn out just fine. Perhaps you are being way too critical. Concrete is gray and if he used the same sack mix on both sides it will also be the same shade gray when it is all said and done. Don't make yourself crazy over it. If it is flat and finished, pay the man.
did you sign any kind of contract? if so--read it closely. just talk to the contractor and tell him why you aren't happy. however, since it was poured as 2 separate batches-there's no way to guarantee that the color would be the same. so ck the contract and see if it says anything in there about "consistency of concrete" or color of concrete. if there's no contract--still talk to the guy and see if there is anything he can do. maybe they can bleach out some of the darker contractor. i'm not sure a judge would side with you in small claims court unless there is some sort of work guarantee in a written, signed contract. good luck!
Take lots of pictures. And this is exactly why you only pay half up front.
Pay him what you think it's worth, based on the poor workmanship. Then he has three options:
1. Take what you are giving him. 2. He can make it right, and he'll get the full agreed-upon amount, but any additional costs are on him. 3. He can file suit in small claims court. That's where the pictures will come in handy.
This is precisely the kind of matter that small claims was designed to settle. You don't need to sue him, since you're the one with the money. You pay him what you think is right, and he can sue you, and you hope the judge agrees with you.
Concrete does take time to dry out and would appear a different shade while wet, but, he started the second half the day after the first half the color such be simular and will dry out the same. Don't pay him until you are satisfied. Take pictures!