Take and no give

[RH15LEW]

Work started over the weekend on my building plot, stripping the top soil ready for stone base today. I had no idea the work was starting on Saturday and by the time i had noticed, everything was going full steam ahead.

Unknown to me, the builder had asked the next door farmer if he would cart the top soil and he agreed to do so as he had some landscaping to do. I'm not exactly sure how many loads he took, but the builder seems to think its a 50/50 split with the stock pile. I asked if i was able to charge him for it but was told, no not really as he's doing me a favour getting rid of it. Fair enough i thought.

Today, the sub base arrived from the local quarry. Below that, the next door farmer supplied 5 14T dump trailer loads of stone from his quarry. My initial thought was he had brought some down to say thank you for the top soil. Thats until i spoke with the builder. Apparently i have to pay for this stone.

I don't particularly want to fall out with him but is it just me that seems he's taking the p**s a little?

 

[Stevethemeat]

Sounds like the contract with your builder is a long way from being comprehensive enough to cover these things a good project manager would have made his own wage and saved you a fortune along the way

 

[milkloss]

I’d get this clear with the builder before going further. Give them an inch and all that.

 

[Stevethemeat]

As an example a civils contract would say strip x m3 of topsoil and store
Dig x m3 of subsoil and remove from site then import x m3 of sub base all quantity’s should balance

 

[RH15LEW]

Thanks for both your reply's, its the farmer taking the P i meant, not the builder.

 

[Stevethemeat]

Thanks for both your reply's, its the farmer taking the P i meant, not the builder.

Yes I know it farmer taking pee but the builder instructed the farmer on both accounts so basically the builder cost you the money
If you had been in charge of the job you would have said to the farmer I swap you some topsoil for some rock and saved a few quid where the builder has no incentive to save you anything

 

[d williams]

Thanks for both your reply's, its the farmer taking the P i meant, not the builder.

Don’t think you can blame farmer
Have you got a contract with builder wording as to who responsible for what??
We’ve had areas stripped and hard stand put down for the topsoil no money changing hands

 

[RH15LEW]

Don’t think you can blame farmer
Have you got a contract with builder wording as to who responsible for what??
We’ve had areas stripped and hard stand put down for the topsoil no money changing hands

Thats what i was expecting when i saw the stone there this morning, as far as i was concerened all the stone was local quarry sub base with the top soil being stock piled

 

[multi power]

The fact you didn't even know work was starting rings serious alarm bells
Sounds like lack of communication

 

[d williams]

Thats what i was expecting when i saw the stone there this morning, as far as i was concerened all the stone was local quarry sub base with the top soil being stock piled

I'd be calling a meeting with builder asap
Hope you've top soil for garden or Mr farmer quids in

 

[onthehoof]

Sounds like the builder and the farmer go to the pub together

 

[Tim G]

Could be the farmer is doing it for nothing but the builder charging you?

 

[Chae1]

Surely the site is one thing you the farmer could have helped with?

Could you not have hired a dumper if you don't have one? and used your tractor and saved some money.

 

[RH15LEW]

Surely the site is one thing you the farmer could have helped with?

Could you not have hired a dumper if you don't have one? and used your tractor and saved some money.

If i had known they were starting on Saturday i would have sorted a trailer out and used my own tractor. I’m just a bit p’d off the farmer has taken the top soil and expect money in return for the stone

 

[milkloss]

If i had known they were starting on Saturday i would have sorted a trailer out and used my own tractor. I’m just a bit p’d off the farmer has taken the top soil and expect money in return for the stone

Send him a bill for the top soil.

Talk to your building man or else your going to fall out.

 

[mo!]

What has the farmer for to do with anything? You have contracted with the builder, he has subbed the work/supply to the farmer. No different to a plumber or sparky. If you haven't told the builder that soil is to stay then sort it with him.

 

[Still Farming]

All out to "make" on you !
Soil expensive and all the regs . with knotweed,contamination etc .means your soil is good clean and premium stuff.
Just stockpile onsite as you will need lots to landscape afterwards ?

 

[Dry Rot]

Builder sells top soil to neighbour, pockets the money, and says he is doing you a favour?

Neighbour sells stone to builder who then charges you for it?

Don't ask me what I think. I'm just an old cynic who is used toi being scammed.

Sometimes it really does pay to use a professional. He'd probably know the tricks of the trade and that removing soil and stone requires planning permission. Isn't there a tax on these materials, too? The words 'fraudulent conversion' spring to mind.

 

[Still Farming]

Builder sells top soil to neighbour, pockets the money, and says he is doing you a favour?

Neighbour sells stone to builder who then charges you for it?

Don't ask me what I think. I'm just an old cynic who is used toi being scammed.

Sometimes it really does pay to use a professional. He'd probably know the tricks of the trade and that removing soil and stone requires planning permission. Isn't there a tax on these materials, too? The words 'fraudulent conversion' spring to mind.

Utilities etc. all wise to it also .
Good soil worth premium .
All on up train ,sod them!

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

it's all the fault of the project manager, and no one else, maybe best to replace the project manager now before other things go wrong