|
Posted by on October 4, 2006, 10:23 pm
On 4 Oct 2006 19:01:57 -0700, "consumer@yahoo.com"
>First let me say that I live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Over the past 7
>years I probably have obtained 20-30 proposals for various
>construction, pool, remodelling, landscaping, electrical work in my
>home. Not one had any detail whatsoever. The only one that exceeded
>one hand-written page was for a major remodel of my home. You are
>lucky in this city to get someone to even give a bid. If you asked for
>a detailed proposal, the vast majority of contractors would never call
>back.
>
>I wanted to rebuild a deck next to my pool because the staircase to the
>deck was made of steel with iron rails and was rusting to the point of
>collapse. I decided I wanted to use ipe wood because of its ultimate
>durability and beauty. No one in this city had even heard of the wood,
>let alone used it. I contacted 4 contractors, Three came out to look
>at the project, one despite literally 15 calls would never even give a
>bid. Two said that they also did not want to bid because they had
>never worked with the wood. One was enthusiastic and gave me a bid. I
>felt that if I wanted to use ipe wood, I had to use this contractor.
>
>After starting the project there were multiple arguments over "extra
>labor" charges including charges for installing flashing (standard
>construction technique from everyone I have asked, charges for
>inspecting wood (2 hours), picking up materials (3 hours), even water
>and ice charges, (none of which are outlined as possible charges in
>the contract) the project is in its latter stages. I am satisfied
>overall with the look and construction although I now find that he has
>constructed the stairway to the 2nd story deck at a less steep angle
>than the original staircase in order to incorporate a 4 foot landing
>partway down. Although I guess this looks good, the less steep angle
>of the stairs now means that when going up the stairs, I would hit my
>head at least in three spots going up since the stairs are right next
>to an eve of the house. He did suggest placing this landing to me and
>I agreed to it, although I never would have agreed if I realized that
>this would cause this problem. The stairway is 42" wide, and the eve
>extends perhaps 15" into the stairway, so it is possible to go up the
>stairs without problem if you walk on the side away from the eve.
>
>Do other builders think that this was an incompetent mistake on the
>part of the contractor? I really am so frustrated by this whole
>project, I cannot bear the thought of telling the contractor to rebuild
>the stairs. At the same time, every time I go up the stairs I will
>probably get upset with the way they are built.
If I understand your problem, it is that a fellow agreed to work with
an unfamiliar material you insisted on, did a decent job, charged
you amounts you agreed to, outlined a plan for a stairway which you
agreed to and which, when built, is unsatisfactory.
Is he incompetent? He just built you a deck using unfamiliar
materials. So, probably not.
Did he make a mistake? Likely. Code here calls for 74 inch clear
headroom above steps ... indoors. He *couid* have spotted
the looming <grin> problem of the eave. So could you.
You have a contract ... and he has built what the contract called for.
(You agreed.) But a product has to be reasonably suited to its
purpose for the contract to be satisfied.
Tell him you're unhappy .. he should have anticipated the problem and
probably so should you. Ask him for the best solution. Split the
cost with him.
Ken
| 
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap