This what was here when we moved in, Straight away I could see I would need a hand rail and the bottom step was much too deep.
It was the tail end of lockdown and trying to get a builder, wasn't easy. But I found one who could come that weekend, we'd only been here a week. Great I thought and we went ahead accepting his quote of £1750 to build new steps.
And this is what they did.. looks good doesn't it? They were professional, experienced and knew what they were doing, but....they didn't listen and I got talked into some super looking steps, which are too deep. I kept saying they were too deep and I needed another step and rail the other side. The owner of the firm kept saying we'd lose patio if they made them any shallower and build another step out. So I decided ok, they're ok, I can use them although they are a bit awkward. I put up with them for a while, then Dh and I put planks of wood on them to make them not as deep.
Then when we were having the patio laid last summer, the workmen said they could make them better and permanent, so safer.
And we ended up with these 'add ons'.. they're ok, but because they're not the full length of each step I am nervous using them incase I miss the step and still no handrail the other side!
I've said to Dh I am not going to let a builder tell me what I need! Once again I was given the argument we'd lose patio??? No point having one if I can't get down to it! And the patio is a lot bigger and wider since we had the hedge out and the fence put up. He also waved a 'red flag' at me by saying, if I said yes there and then, he could do it for less, so he was a 'no no' in my eyes!
So?? What can be done? Dh says he 'll have a go, but there's no need for him, we can afford to pay someone. Dh isn't a DIY man, that's not his strength and I don't want him to worry about it.. so we are in a quandary, what to do?
We do know a handy man, so we'll try him next, otherwise I will not be going out into the garden down these steps, but out through the front door and walking around the outside of the bungalow!
Chrisxx
9 comments:
It's a difficult one when workmen won't listen to you. Obviously, you know your own needs, they don't, they're looking at it from an aesthetic point of view, building something which will look good, but there's no point if it's not going to be practical. I think it's a case of shopping around until you find someone who understands where you're coming from.
What is the purpose to telling the workmen you hire and pay, what you want and describe it in detail, if they ignore your needs and do as they please. They should not be paid for anything except what you want. I do hope you can get the steps corrected so you can easily navigate the back entrance to your home. My mother needed a railing, long since passed, and my husband was able to add a double railing onto her concrete steps. She could then safely enter her home from the front door. I understand what you said about your angel Kizzy. How we love our pets and when they leave this life it leaves a hole in our lives.
That's terrible that the workmen disregarded your wishes and made a set of steps that you can't use!
You could have a wheelchair ramp built off to the side, with a hand bar. Then, if needed later it will already be built.
That sounds a lot of money for the work you had done. I would suggest you try to get a handy man rather than a builder. Age UK often have lists of reliable tradespeople. Xx
Its a difficult sometimes explaining to someone what we want, If I have an idea in my head i do have trouble getting the idea across, I'm very lucky that hubby is very handy and usually we don't have to pay someone to do things, but there will come a time when he can't do all the things and we will have to pay.
The steps do look rather steep and I can see what they mean when they say you would loose a lot of patio.
But, in that case couldn't you have the steps going to the one side, against the house, instead of to the front? You would then be able to have a handrail on either side, a handrail on either side of your current steps wouldn't be much use to you.
Hope you get it sorted, it's a nightmare trying to get anyone to do jobs.
Finding good workmen can be a difficult task, although you've been trying. When you find someone new, you can emphasize you need safety first and see if they have any suggestions. And if nothing else, you've certainly done enough trial and error to figure out what won't work. Good luck.
I hope you can find someone who can give you exactly what you want/need - otherwise what's the point? I guess they think as they're the 'professionals' they know best - but if it's no good for you then it's no good, end of!
Oh dear, it's so difficult when workmen won't listen to you!
It may be worthwhile seeing if Age UK have a list of reliable tradespeople for your area.
All the best Jan
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