Poor landscaping work - garden resembles a swamp

[Curlyriff]

It does look like depth to front of the lawn/rear of patio is at least 4" so as long as the ground is slightly sloped to attain that then it fine as it does look like the grass area slopes from rear retaining wall to patio based on the gravel layer. And tbh you could easily do enough to give 6" fine with a slightly steeper slope that honestly wont be noticeable enough. It appears the drop only needs to be around 75mm over the total length to achieve that.

But the bigger issue as noted is the depth they could get to have it tie back to the original drainage and also if they have wrapped in membrane so they don't fill.

 

[Adam]

I was thinking the same. They should have just used some 110mm perforated drainage pipe buried deeper wrapped in membrane and then fill the trenches with pea beach. So bizarre they covered the whole area with it. From what I saw they didn't even bother wrapping the pipe they did put in, would be surprised if it all gets blocked over time. Absolute bodgers.

Well that's what I thought they were going to use but they decided to use downpipes with holes cut with an angle grinder. Took them ages and probably more expensive too.

I have measured and there is about 100mm between the gravel and the edge of the patio so it's right on the limit.

Yes there is no membrane over any of the pipes. The holes on the slats aren't wide enough for the stones to enter the pipe but I understand the concern that without a barrier they could get blocked. I suppose I could always move the stones away to allow me to cover the pipes over the weekend with some membrane and cable clips to secure them. Would that be worth doing?

 

[scarps]

Well that's what I thought they were going to use but they decided to use downpipes with holes cut with an angle grinder. Took them ages and probably more expensive too.

I have measured and there is about 100mm between the gravel and the edge of the patio so it's right on the limit.

Yes there is no membrane over any of the pipes. The holes on the slats aren't wide enough for the stones to enter the pipe but I understand the concern that without a barrier they could get blocked. I suppose I could always move the stones away to allow me to cover the pipes over the weekend with some membrane and cable clips to secure them. Would that be worth doing?

Ideally it wants non woven Geotextile fabric. And the best way is the wrap everything in it, pipe and gravel as the gravel can get clogged especially if it's clay.

Edit. Just to add I'm no expert like I've mentioned before but over the years I helped a number of people from landscapers to farmers laying drainage stuff so I just pick up things from them.
All of them have different ideas what is best and one wouldn't lay pipe or membrane at all in clay, just channels of crushed stone, he said clay clogs membrane up over time so I guess it depends who you get and what ideas they have.

 

[gingergundog]

Well that's what I thought they were going to use but they decided to use downpipes with holes cut with an angle grinder. Took them ages and probably more expensive too.

I have measured and there is about 100mm between the gravel and the edge of the patio so it's right on the limit.

Yes there is no membrane over any of the pipes. The holes on the slats aren't wide enough for the stones to enter the pipe but I understand the concern that without a barrier they could get blocked. I suppose I could always move the stones away to allow me to cover the pipes over the weekend with some membrane and cable clips to secure them. Would that be worth doing?

You could try but it looks awkward to do, tbh I would getting them to do it..although I appreciate that might be tricky considering all the problems you have had with them. Its more to do with silt rather than the stones but it might be fine, couldn't say for certain. I spent ages researching drainage when I had to put a soakaway in the garden but not an expert. The holes in the pipe should be at the bottom also.

 

[Adam]

I think i'm going to leave it and see how it goes. There's no way this guy is ever going to come back again but it's much more palatable having to redo the lawn and sorting the drainage if this doesn't work rather than the patio. I feel fortunate the situation has improved despite the progress being slow so I'll keep my fingers crossed that the work is sufficient.

 

[Slam62]

Well sad to say, albeit on a smaller scale I've joined the shoddy landscaper club, currently having some work done and all the right things have been done but little details making it a mess are stacking up.
Got the bloke coming around today to discuss rectification, but I think his days as hour landscaper are running out.
So far I've paid 2k out of 4.5k. I won't be paying anymore unless it's perfect.

 

[Adam]

Well sad to say, albeit on a smaller scale I've joined the shoddy landscaper club, currently having some work done and all the right things have been done but little details making it a mess are stacking up.
Got the bloke coming around today to discuss rectification, but I think his days as hour landscaper are running out.
So far I've paid 2k out of 4.5k. I won't be paying anymore unless it's perfect.

Sorry to hear that and hope you get a good outcome today. If the worst should happen then hopefully I have documented the process I went through so it makes it easier for you. I’ve learnt a lot throughout this and would change how I’d approach more work being done to protect myself. I’d be far less trusting and pay them on my terms for sure!

 

[Adam]

They have worked hard to get the topsoil down this morning:

 

[Adam]

The turf has been laid! It looks much better than the last time they laid it as it's so much flatter this time around. They said the grass felt better quality (less patches, more grass if that makes sense) and it was much nicer to lay. Last time they left the topsoil overnight and it rained, this time they laid it on topsoil they prepared and flattened this morning.

 

[scarps]

Looking good. Lets pray for no rain..... only joking. Hopefully its all sorted for you. Total pain when you pay loads and the job is very bad you have to start again.

 

[john_smith]

I’ve always watered mine daily for 10 days when new turf goes down. Looks good. I hope it stays good.

 

[lee1101]

That looks great, nice and even!

 

[Curlyriff]

Hope you've got sprinklers going each day. 10mins or so as you move across the area. Twice a day. Obviously if it has rained at all don't worry about it.

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

@Adam I don't suppose you know how much that turf was on its own (as a material cost) do you?

 

[Deleted member 77746]

You need a good down pour to test it working.

 

[Adam]

@Adam I don't suppose you know how much that turf was on its own (as a material cost) do you?

Afraid not, nothing was broken down unfortunately.

You need a good down pour to test it working.

I’ve been watering the lawn every day and it hasn’t flooded (yet!) and the water that gets on the patio seems to head towards the aco. But yes you are right, I need some of the downpours we had at the end of last year which resulted in me having to move the water

 

[Slam62]

Sorry to hear that and hope you get a good outcome today. If the worst should happen then hopefully I have documented the process I went through so it makes it easier for you. I’ve learnt a lot throughout this and would change how I’d approach more work being done to protect myself. I’d be far less trusting and pay them on my terms for sure!

We had a bit of a chat and the work ethic improved somewhat, they've finished and gone so I paid them, I felt a bit sorry for the bloke in the end but his attitude didn't help him.
You've done extremely well to get yours redone the way you have.

 

[Berger]

@Adam I don't suppose you know how much that turf was on its own (as a material cost) do you?

£3 a square meter is about what I paid when I needed some for work.

Collection, load yourself and and cash only ofc….

 

[j.col]

@Adam I don't suppose you know how much that turf was on its own (as a material cost) do you?

Try and find a local independent suppliers.
These guys are brilliant https://www.georgedaviesturf.co.uk/category/turf

 

[norm]

The turf has been laid! It looks much better than the last time they laid it as it's so much flatter this time around. They said the grass felt better quality (less patches, more grass if that makes sense) and it was much nicer to lay. Last time they left the topsoil overnight and it rained, this time they laid it on topsoil they prepared and flattened this morning.

Looks good. Although extending the grey block perimeter around the lawn would have made mowing it a lot easier.