Builder charging for patio and steps

Britannia12345

We've just had an extension built and the builders smashed up the patio and steps to the garden when they brought the machinery in to dig the footings.

They are now asking for £1100 to relay the patio and steps. Are they correct in charging for this or should they put the garden back as it was at their own cost?

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664797/builder-charging-for-patio-and-steps

not a chance I would pay them anything to fix something they broke. I would be warning him politely of course, that you want them to repair their errors for free or you will take legal action.

WIAWSNB

When you say 'smashed up', do you mean intentionally, as to provide space for the extension and foundations, or 'accidentally' by being careless or not providing adequate protection to it?

At what stage did the smashing up occur? What did you say when you saw the first s-u take place?

Is it possible to build the extension without positioning diggers on the patio?

Was any of this discussed beforehand?

Britannia12345

The builders said they'd put the patio slabs, steps and gate back when they'd finished. I didn't know they were going to charge so maybe I should have clarified that in the beginning.

The slabs and steps got smashed up for the extension and because they were the only access for the diggers. The gate has got broken from being left lying around for months.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969048#Comment_81969048

It's all in the detail of what was said, agreed, expected, but from what you have said above, I would also have assumed that the relaying of the patio and gate would have been included.

What record do you have of this?

Do you have Legal Protection in your house insurance.

Britannia12345

Only verbal sadly. The quote says outside work is not included so I don't know if he'll use that as a get-out.

I'll have to check my insurance policy.

WIAWSNB

Write down, as verbatim as possible, what was said, and when.

Britannia12345

Will do.

This is what was written on the original quote:

Internal doors excluded
UPVC windows and door excluded
Hard landscaping and external paths excluded
Plumbing and electrical excluded
Floor and tile finishes excluded

WIAWSNB

Add to that your conversations re patio and gate.

Britannia12345

Ok. It seems daft that they didn't lift the slabs first, they just ran over them, or is that usual practice?

WIAWSNB

Clearly not usual practice, but again it comes down to what was said and agreed.

So, what was said and agreed?