NFS Screeding Ltd, Company Registration No. 8945777 (Need for Screed) - **Judgment debt paid**

[BankFodder]

Can you post the original PDF please

 

Also can you respond to them specifically about your question as to the suitability of the thickness of the screed.
They have invited questions so ask this question and any others you have.
I would rather have it from them than simply relying on your assumptions about lab tests et cetera

[MrPengu1n]

yes, I'll go back to the surveyor with these questions.

 

Copy of PDF (redacted for my personal details) attached.

BS12827 - Letter - re floor screed_Redact.PDF

[BankFodder]

Additional question – because you have suggested that only one tin of membrane was used. This opens it up to verification by the screeding company.

Is the amount of membrane which appears to have been applied consistent with only a single 25 L tin having been used

You would like a link to the website where it talks about this particular brand of membrane being rather thin

[BankFodder]

Separately, I suggest that you do some Internet research and see if you can find any reviews or criticisms of the Wickes product

[MrPengu1n]

 

The square meterage of floor that was covered in screed/DPM is approx 37.5 sqm.  The tin advises it can cover 1-2 sqm per litre. So a 25 litre tin would cover that area but only 1 coat at a ratio of 1.33 litres per sqm.

 

A coat would be considered as a layer applied, and dried before another layer put on top laid.  There is no way they applied more than 1 coat, as they were only at my property for 3 hours tops.

 

The minimum drying time for the product is 6 hours, and that would be in ideal conditions and temperatures.

 

The Wickes own website product reviews seem to be the source from where the surveyor has gathered is comments about its usage.   Reading the reviews, they all lament about using it and claim its not suitable for its intended use.

[BankFodder]

Clearly you don't get it.

We want it from them and we want it in writing

[MrPengu1n]

On the Wickes website there are 2 different sized tins (5Litre and 25Litre) of the same product - both products have reviews with 1 star ratings under the following URLs:

 

25 Litre

Wickes Bitumen Damp Proof Membrane Liquid - 25L | Wickes.co.uk

WWW.WICKES.CO.UK

---

Wickes Bitumen Damp Proof Membrane Liquid - 25L

 

5 Litre

Wickes Bitumen Damp Proof Membrane Liquid - 5L | Wickes.co.uk

WWW.WICKES.CO.UK

---

Wickes Bitumen Damp Proof Membrane Liquid - 5L

 

[BankFodder]

Yes, but what we really need is a direct reference to the wording on the website and a requirement from your inspector.

Obviously taking screenshots of the website will be extremely helpful and you should make sure that you have got complete copies of all useful information published on the Wickes website – that we need some direct references from your inspector, not simply oblique references.

I'm trying to help you make your evidence bundle as watertight as possible. We need to have direct expert references. We want to try and avoid asking the court to look at one document and then another document and then asking the judge simply to put two and two together.



 

[MrPengu1n]

I see, so the inspector must reference the website reviews in his report specifically from customers who have used the product(s).

 

When you mention 'requirement from your inspector', is this the requirement in terms of application of the product?

 

I've just contacted Wickes and got the name of the manufacturer of their own brand liquid DPM, - IKO Plc.  I called their technical line (01257 255771) and spoke to them about the application and usage of the Wickes own brand liquid DPM.  

 

They advised that it must be applied in a 2 coat minimum.  They also advised that when applying a screed on top, it must be a sand cement based screed of 50mm.  They advised it cannot be used on a 'modified' screed as there will be compatibility issues with the bitumen in the  liquid DPM.

 

I've asked the inspector to talk to the above points on product application, directly referencing the customer quotes, suitability of the screed laid in terms of depth and shared the information about the manufacturer.

[MrPengu1n]

The inspector has sent me a revised report based on the questions I've asked and also included supporting documentation.

 

I'm much happier with this version of the report.  Attached.90285_L_11.pdfBS12827 - Letter - re floor screed_Redact_2.PDF

 

The forum isn't allowing me to upload one of the PDF files which is a scree shot of a review.

[BankFodder]

The next step will be to let NFS see a copy of the report and invite their comments.

At the same time I would start to obtain quotations to address the issues contained in the report.

 

Quote

Dear XXX

As you know, I have been very unhappy with the quality of the work which you carried out on my property and I have already draw your attention to this.

I have now commissioned a report from XXX surveyors and I have attached a copy of that report to this email.

I am inviting you to make your comments and any proposals.

However, I should inform you that if you propose any remedial work, that I shall want the work surveyed and approved by an independent inspector. I think that this is the best way forward for both of us because it puts the quality of any further work by yourselves beyond question.

You should understand though, that based on the attached report the screening which you applied to my property needs to be completely taken up and the job needs to be redone.

I'm also letting you know that I am currently obtaining quotations for doing this work from other companies.

I shall keep you in the loop and I shall provide you with copies of all other information which I obtain in order to give you an opportunity to comment.

Yours faithfully

 

I have been a bit out of the loop recently and so you need to look at what I have suggested above and see if that is everything. I have scanned through the thread but I'm not sure that I have fully caught up

[MrPengu1n]

Thanks, I'll draft a letter to NFS and share here.

 

Given that NFS already made a proposal to address the issues I raised to them, which given the report, are not suitable.  Can I advise them that I will proceed to get the works done by an alternate company or do I still need to see if they will revise their proposal (a 2nd chance)?

 

I have obtained 2 quotes already.

[BankFodder]

You will occupy the high ground if you constantly refer to them and give them an opportunity to comment. This doesn't mean that you have to accept what they say but at least they will never be able to say that they were not aware of what was happening or that they were unaware of possible costs.

At every step of the way you need to keep them informed and give them a few days to respond before you proceed onto a next step.

If you have already spoken with an alternative company, then what have they said? Have they confirmed the report? Have they given you a quote?

[MrPengu1n]

I see.  The quotes from alternate companies were given based on what I had told them in regards how the previous job was carried out, materials  etc, however i think I'll share the report with them to see if their quotes change - however I don't think they will change as their quotes were based on complete removal of the existing screed and liquid dpm and installing a solution using different materials. 

[BankFodder]

Well I'm sorry but I think that you will have to you get the quotes again based on visual inspections and the report. Don't forget that the report is your base document.

Quotations based on simply a lay customers point of view – particularly when that lay customer is an interested party – are going to be unhelpful at the very least.

You will need the quotations in writing including a description of the work that they are proposing.

[MrPengu1n]

I've used your template to send NFS a copy of the report.  I've given them until the end of the day Thursday to respond.

 

Regards quotations - its tricky to get companies to come site as the job isn't a 'big one' in terms of square meterage.  Having the report will be helpful to allow them to draw up a suitable plans of works.

 

The first 2 quotes were based on a description of the work completed and pictures.  I doubt the report will change their proposed schedule of works but I will share it with them.

 

After the work is eventually be completed to the required standard, when it comes top claiming back from NFS, what are I entitled to claim for?

So far I've assumed it will - money back, cost of removing the screed NFS laid, cost of the report.

Is there anything else?

[BankFodder]

You will be entitled to claim as much as it takes to put you into a position where you have the work completed to an adequate standard and you are out of pocket only to the tune of the originally agreed contract price.

Plus interest on any money paid to NFS – normally calculated at 8% simple.

The overall objective is to put you into the position that you would have been in had there been no breach of contract in the first place

[MrPengu1n]

This is the email that I sent to NFS:

 

====================

Dear [name],

As you know, I have been very unhappy with the quality of the work which you carried out on my property and I have already drawn your attention to this.

I have now commissioned a report from Martin and Martin chartered surveyors and I have attached a copy of that report to this email.

I am inviting you to make your comments and any proposals.

 

I give you until the end of day Thursday 1^st December 2023 to reply.

However, I should inform you that if you propose any remedial work, that I shall want the work surveyed and approved by an independent inspector. I think that this is the best way forward for both of us because it puts the quality of any further work by yourselves beyond question.

You should understand though, that based on the attached report the screeding which you applied to my property needs to be completely taken up and the job needs to be redone.

I'm also letting you know that I am currently obtaining quotations for doing this work from other companies.

I shall keep you in the loop and I shall provide you with copies of all other information which I obtain in order to give you an opportunity to comment.

Yours faithfully

 

Mr P

====================

 

I've not had a response or acknowledgement as yet, and I'm not expecting NFS will reply by the end of day tomorrow deadline.

 

Do I need to send a copy by mail/post or is email sufficient, give that they have replied via email to the original correspondence?

 

What is the next step?

[honeybee13]

Do you mean the end of 1st December 2023? If you mean tomorrow it seems quite short. BF is the expert though.

 

HB

[MrPengu1n]

Yes, end of day tomorrow - the guidance was to give them 'a few days to respond' so 3 seems ok for this step?

[honeybee13]

Fair enough. Did you tell them 2023 though?

 

HB

[MrPengu1n]

yes   - I popped a copy of the email sent above.

[honeybee13]

This is what I'm confused about but I'm sure BF will tell me if I've misunderstood. Where I am, it's still 2022. Your copied email says:

 

'I give you until the end of day Thursday 1^st December 2023 to reply.'

 

 

[MrPengu1n]

ooooh... shot!  Yes, I'll need to correct that!  thank you for catching that!

 

Do I just resend stating that the date given was incorrect and in fact is, most probably a new date, 3 days from now? 

[honeybee13]

You need BF to answer that one.

 

HB