Decking for mobile home- being ripped off

Hi all,

I have a mobile home in Kerry and want to put up a deck, i am leasing the site from site owner. He is insisting that all the decks be the same size and style, which i quite agree with, it makes the park look better. The problem i have is that he wants €2500 for the deck, i can get the materials for less than €400 and can do the job myself. Have i any rights at all or am i just wasting my time arguing with him.

Any advice would be greatfully received.

Mom04

It depends on whats written in the lease you signed check that out and the answer may be self evident.

Check your contract and see what it says

Hi
I checked my contract and it dosnt mention decking or sheds except to say that all should be maintained in good condition.

Do i have any legs to argue with (mixed metaphors eh?)

As him for the details of the approved supplier so you can negotiate your own rate (without his cut).

Did you talk to him about being unhappy with the price he has quoted, and the price you know you can get the materials for? I would talk it out with him, say you're not happy and will be taking further advice, as its not mentioned in your contract.

Might make him think.

If its not in the contract I dont see why you can't build it to his spec but by direct labour

Well, you haven't said if he has a problem with you doing the deck yourself.. as long as it is the same as the others he may be ok with it.

He may not be ok with you doing it yourself of course.. in which case I'd be unhappy too.. but you do have the choice not to have the deck at all,.. not a perfect solution but it might be the only one available to you.

He may be concerned that although you are promising to do the deck the same as the others you may not achieve the same results.. you may buy decking from a different supplier which is a different colour or weathers differently.. and the smaller details may not be exact, although pretty close... and it might be done badly.. would you agree beforehand that the final decision as to acceptability is his?.. and if he says he doesn't like it or it doesn't match then you'd have to accept his decision and take it back out, even if you disagree?

Well, he did say that he would not allow us to build it ourselves, and i would have no problem at all getting materials from his supplier even if it cost me a bit more, and my brother is a carpenter and would build it exactly to his spec. I will have this out with him in more detail to find out what exactly he has a problem with.

Mom, I would, especially as you seem to feel he will be ripping you off. Talk to him about it, and there may be a compromise there.

Just spoke to him and he says he cannot allow us to put it in ourselves, and told me he used to charge 2960 but reduced it to 2500. I explained that i have a brother in the business and could do it for much less and would do it exactly to his spec and still no way. Actully, just rand a decking company and asked them for a quote for the exact size he wants including hand rails, skirting steps etc and to supply and fit the deck they quoted me €1600 What to do??????????

Ask him for the name of the authorised company to fit it.

Contact them directly.

Is he saying he is using another company, or doing the work himself?

As above, if its another company, tell him you would like to get your own quote off them because the price is excessive and you are not prepared to pay it.

Welcome to the land of Mobile park owners . A law on to them selves, have seen it before, park owner got his tractor and hitched up a mobile and simply left it outside the site, all over a simple dispute. They are rip off merchants, even when it comes to upgrading a van, they want a cut.


Rant over

Secman

yeah.. it seems that he's in a position to dictate the terms to you, and you don't seem to have any options.. other than to move your trailer somewhere else.

It seems a little like apartments and management companies... all you can do is read your contract and see if you have any options.. and if you have no options then you are left with the final option of moving out. It's a horrible situation to be in... the one silver lining is that you now know what type of person he is and you may be inclined to look around for another place.