I'm headed for the ledge!!!

Flatbutt1 · 06-25-2008, 03:59 PM

OMG this contractor has me beyond infuriated! The shoddy workmanship has flirted with negligence on two occasions and now has settled into just plain" screw it, it's not my house".

I must write them up with the BBB at the very least( and yes I have photos of all of their screw ups) but there is still significant work to be done. So I should wait...right? Can't pizz them off now ...right?

But their work is so poor that I've had to have reworks done at every stage save two.

I'm paying TOP FRIGGIN' dollar for this work and it is so very disappointing to see this third world standard used on my home.

The worst offenders are the Eastern Europeans(framing, roofing, electrical, HVAC). The Hispanics (siding)and Italians(tile) were much better though not perfect.

Craftsmanship? Not even close. sigh

kstar · 06-25-2008, 04:06 PM

Don't count on the BBB to be of any help, IMO and based on my experience with them.

Angie's List might be a good route:
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/

Flatbutt1 · 06-25-2008, 04:24 PM

but I should take a deep breath and wait,right?

David · David's Garage

I feel your pain, but I keep telling myself (and my wife) at least I'm not having to do the work. I'm getting new siding and windows, but they're 2 months into a quoted 2 weeks job

dipso · 06-25-2008, 04:36 PM

Try the CSLB. Contractors State License Board.
There are standards that must be met if he has a license. A performance bond too, if he has a license.
I am not sure on the ramifications for shoddy work.
Has it passed inspection? How's your money"progress payments", have you paid them more than they have done?
Fire them and pay someone else to do it right.
If you have to pay for corrections because they refuse, small claims court to be reimbursed.
Call the CSLB, they will help you. That's what they are for.
We pay them every 2 years just so guys like you have recourse against the bad guys, They are not good for business.

dzls rok · dzls rok's Garage

[QUOTE=dipso;4024253]

Fire them and pay someone else to do it right.
QUOTE]

thats what i was thinking. is there any reason you cant?

Flatbutt1 · 06-25-2008, 06:00 PM

CLSB, got it ,good call

Firing them now would probbly make it worse because I'd have to find someone new. negotiate the price and who knows what the town would require.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I don't know the details of your contract but typically you'd reject the work, giving the G.C. some period of time (under contract) to bring it up to specifications. If they don't, or do and it STILL doesn't meet standards, you can normally issue a change order after three days (legally deducting the amount from your contract amount with the G.C.) and get someone else in there to perform the work (assuming you can find someone who will do it, of course). This "Owner's Right to Carry Out Work" clause is in most standard contracts such as AIA form A201; hopefully you used some sort of boiler plate contract like that and not just a "handshake" agreement.

I feel your pain. Issues like that suck. Sorry to hear.

Flatbutt1 · 06-25-2008, 06:29 PM

Thanks Jeff, I do have that clause and a pay for performance payment schedule. But I am so very tired of coming home, examining their work, documenting the flaws and then dogging them to get it done. I went 9 weeks without running water and finally now its on. Remember I'm a partially handicapped person so no water, no bathroom is a bit rough. Its all very tiresome and again I'm paying top dollar for this work.

sigh

VINMAN · 06-25-2008, 07:56 PM

Do you have a GC for the job, or are you hiring seperate contractors yourself?

john70t · 06-25-2008, 09:15 PM

If it was Caulifornia you'd have some form of exceptional legal recourse due to the disabilities act and be buying a Learjet next week.
NJ probably couldn't care less if you pay or get the f'k out.

Legally, it probably hings on the original estimate, and the conditions.
-The contractors will say you changed the plans and added conditions, up to a point where it was imposiible for them to work.
-You will say that nine weeks without water is unacceptable. (Come to think of it, 9 weeks without water is unacceptable).

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Friggin' simple, don't pay 'em till they do it right, YOU"RE the one in charge here.