Dispute with builder / tradesman

gawoo1012

Need some advice pls. We got some work done with a gardening/landscaping company. Part of it was to add wooden cladding to our back garden wall. I asked if they were using pressure treated timber and was told they were. However, I don't see any evidence that the wood is pressure treated. I can paint/varnish it but can't get at the supporting beams at the back which are in contact with the wall and the ground & soil. This will rot in no time so does using untreated wood constitute as using unsound or inappropriate materials for the job at hand?

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058263503/dispute-with-builder-tradesman

First thing to do is to confirm for certain what type of timber was used.

Ask them to show you the invoice.

Do you have this agreement in writing?

What makes you think it's not pressure treated?

Have you asked him for any proof that they are pressure treated and what were their responses?

muffler

A couple of photos would be useful.

The Continental Op

OP there is no advantage to the tradesman to use untreated timber because treated is often cheaper. If it was bought for fencing or shed making then the chances are its treated.

The reason maybe (from my experience) that they use cheaper faster growing timber for outdoor work because its softer and absorbs a lot more chemical when treated.

If there are any off cuts left you can normally see how far the treatment has penetrated by looking at the freshly cut end grain.

gawoo1012

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119622138#Comment_119622138

Very little in writing bar confirming what was to be delivered i.e. cladding on back garden wall. Another tradesmen confirmed when I asked if it was treated and he said "no, that wood is normally used for inside work only".... the builder is calling out tomorrow so will ask for proof. Some of the other work delivered is also of questionable quality so this is one of a few concerns we have expressed

gawoo1012

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119622138#Comment_119622138

He told me yes but then started waxing lyrical about how I needed to paint or varnish it The problem is that if it is not pressure treated, I can fully get at it to weather seal it

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119622797#Comment_119622797

If its exposed to light, wet and wind it needs some extra protection probably not straight away but with in a couple of years. The bits in the ground are much thicker but you just have to take your chances with them.