Blocks don’t match advice please

[Swailesy]

Hi, we have had some works done on our building after a car crashed into it, the blockwork on the building exterior was damaged. A contractor has since been (although has not yet been paid) and done the work seen in the photos. It looks terrible in my opinion and really devalues the property. The blocks are a different colour and grade no? The older surrounding ones are porous rather than smooth. I understand the contractor claims that the previous type of block can’t be obtained anymore and the old ones have faded which causes a mismatch. This sounds unlikely to me? Can someone confirm this is a load of cobblers?
They also said it still needs finishing/pointing.
Thanks a lot,
Ritch

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Are the smooth blocks the new ones?

I reckon they were what was left over from another job - shouldn't be that hard to get hold of standard concrete blocks...

 

[HERTS P&D]

Why did you wait until it was built to question him?

Andy

 

[^woody^]

I used some similar looking blocks to those old concrete blocks in some footings last week. So better matching blocks are available.

 

[opps]

In some places, they don't even look like they have mortar between them.

I would not be happy.

 

[Swailesy]

Thanks very much for your quick responses. The smooth blocks are the new ones yes,

HERTS P&D, regrettably I couldn’t be there to oversee the works. The contractor hasn’t been paid yet.

Thanks again everyone, that’s really useful.

 

[stuart45]

They look like paint grade blocks, which are much smoother. You might be able to acid etch the face to get them looking similar.

 

[Nige F]

They look like paint grade blocks, which are much smoother. You might be able to acid etch the face to get them looking similar.

looks like something has acid etched the bottom rt. one