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Posted by Tim Mulvey on July 2, 2006, 6:13 pm
> Responses inline...
>
>>
>> S,
>> Shooting the right grade is definitely important for a builder, but how
>> do you know the grade written on the plan was right and not a mistake?
>> Over the past 15 yrs I have never seen a print that is 100% accurate. No
>> matter the architect or engineer, or if the plan was hand or CAD drawn.
>> Marson was right saying that contractors get a bad rep here. And when
>> architects make mistakes, try to get damages from them and see how far
>> you get. They will say that the contractor should have found the error. I
>> think all the facts should be clear before a judgment is made.
>>
>> Tim
>
> If the problem was a mistake in the plans, the GC should have said so.
> And comparing architects mistakes with builders mistakes is comparing
> apples and oranges. Sadly, a few bad apples reflect badly on everyone.
> So, I'll give someone a good rep right now.
If a mistake were made on the part of the architect with regards to an
elevation from benchmark, e.g. T.O.F. 7.83' lower than hydrant halfway down
the block and it should have said T.O.F. 6.83' lower, it may not be noticed
right away depending on site conditions. Wall sections on the print would
show wall heights so they would be the same regardless of the benchmark.
When the builder for the O.P. saw it, he didn't try to hide it like some
might.
> The contractor who fixed the collapsed roof where I work did a nice job.
> We're very pleased with what he did and how he did it. Problems that came
> up even 2 years later were fixed promptly, at no charge, and without
> attitude. My cousin hired him to do repairs at her townhouse a couple of
> years ago, and just hired him to remodel her place in Florida. She's
> sending him and a crew down there, from Illinois, thats how much she
> trusts him.
>
> And, we have a friend who custom built a house recently and their
> contractor was very reliable, dealt with some real difficult flood zone
> issues, and two years later comes to fix things as needed without any
> hassle.
>
> So there, two good reps. But neither of these builders did anything that
> would generate a question to this newsgroup either.
>
> And as for suing an architect, well, if the plaintiff can demonstrate
> damages, then he'll have to pay up. The plans for my home addition call
> for the foundation to be built a certain way, for I-beams to be used in
> certain places, etc. If my addition was built the way the plans call for
> and didn't hold up, you better believe the architect will be liable.
>
> So please don't whine about bad reps in this discussion. It reflects
> badly on all builders, because this isn't some guy complaing that the stud
> wood isn't furniture grade. He's building on a slope and the foundation
> wall holding back that slope and all the water that comes down it will not
> be from a single concrete form, but from some stacked workaround.
>
I don't think I was whining. The point I was trying to make is that this
builder seems to being judged as incompetent without knowing all the facts.
And as far as the foundation not being from a single form, foundations are
not always poured monolithic. About 6 years ago we poured 26' tall walls
for a house basement. Owner wanted a raquetball court in his basement. We
poured in 2 tiers. Proper coating, drainage, and site grading and still no
leaks. Properly pinned and reinforced, another pour on top of O.P.'s wall
should be just fine. But by all means get the fix stamped by an engineer.
Covers everyone.
Tim
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