#1297 - 04/12/05 04:57 PM
Question for contractors (or anyone else) please
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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I would like to ask your opinion please.. Am I a tough customer? I have had a lot of problems with my contractor..We are refinishing a basement and basically we plan and talk about one thing and it is never as we planned.
A few examples, I informed him and then reminded him several times about our waterproofing system, each time he told me no problem we will be careful etc. As they were closing the holes (prior to pouring the cement) I noticed that they put dirt back into the hole and had not put any gravel in place (the pipe were surrounded with gravel).I told him and he had the crew dig it back up, put gravel in and then close. If I hadnt been looking at it and they poured the concrete we wouldnt have known until the system clogged and water went into the basement that we had just finsished.
He placed the dryer vent into an existing ven hole that would have gone out unto the deck. Did not check the area to see where it was venting. Again, had I not seen it and the area had been drywalled we wouldn’t have known until it was too late. Also when asked to close this hole due to pipes being directly in front of it (afraid of freezing) he didnt and I had to have him open the wall and fix it.
Without talking to me, he changed bathroom cabinets from 36x36 and centered to 30x30 and not centered. These cabinets are in the wall so there is a hole in the drywall. When I saw this I called him and he said that the carpenter told him that we couldnt do the 36 (although the next day the carpenter had no problem changing it to the way it was orginally planned) so this is not what happened. Who knows why it was wrong.
I could go on.. Basically I feel like I am battling him..everyday I have to make sure that everything is as we discussed or contracted for and while he is the one who ultimately pays to fix it.. Its very very frustrating and stressful for me. Is this normal? Should I have to double check everything that gets done each day?
Please advise.. Im not unreasonable , just frustrated that he doesnt seem to listen to me or communicate to his crew..
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#1298 - 04/12/05 09:39 PM
Re: Question for contractors (or anyone else) please
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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I don't like stories like this. I can't understand how people like that stay in business and there certainly are lots of them around in your area and mine. A real professional would'nt run their business in this manner and far from it.
IT's fortunate you are able to see the inefficiencies and have them corrected. Most do not and I see the horror stories out there often.
My immediate reaction is to severe ties with this person but depending on the progress of the project, this could cause more aggravation finding someone to complete the project. If he is near the end and you are able to keep him on the right track, it may be prudent to let him finish.
With a proper contract you could have some recourse but most do not provide for it.
I feel for you. Good Luck.
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Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.org
Barton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#1299 - 04/13/05 06:28 AM
Re: Question for contractors (or anyone else) please
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks for responding.. he was making me feel like I was being unreasonble. We are close to finishing so I am just going to have to keep making a pest of myself and inspecting everything. I have a little bit of recourse now as the payment schedule was set up according to phases, for example when one phase is 100% and the next 90% complete then the next payment is due. So far Ive made two payments because of this and it looks like he wont get another one until almost the end of the projects ( due to his poor planning a picture window that was suppossed to be put in a week ago was just ordered and wont be here for a couple of weeks).
I told him how frustrated I was with those whole process and he told me he was working fives jobs right now. I think this is the problem as Im certain he has taken on more than he can handle. Anyway.. thanks again for your response.
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#1300 - 04/14/05 12:35 AM
Re: Question for contractors (or anyone else) please
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Depending on what extent the contractor is involved in these jobs, generally, 5 jobs are too many for an individual to handle in a professional manner unless he has an assistant to help. If they were side by side it might be possible, but again it depends on what extent he is involved in the jobs.
This is not an excuse and is not your problem. You didn't hire him to have to keep a careful eye on what is done. Quite frankly, you are doing what you hired him to do.
It must be frustrating to have to keep an eye on someone and then pay them as well, but hang in there and be thankful you have the knowledge to get thru this.
------------------
Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.org
Barton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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