Remodeling nightmare with a contractor from HELL
jbremodeler
15 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (41)
sierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMongoCT
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Nightmare contractor tile job
Comments (74)Great little bath! Good for you! So did you check out how the shower was built for potential water issues? It can take some time for damage to become apparent. It would be unlikely that the underlying foundation and shower pan work was any better than what could be seen on the surface....See MoreContractor nightmare with our long awaited addition
Comments (14)Texasredhead: I approached the city inspectors today. They shed some light on the project as well, unfortunately they either weren't allowed, or just did not care to inform us earlier...but they were less than impressed with my contractor from day one. They caught something we were totally unaware of in the first week that the foundation was too high by 3" to meet my existing floor. They made them reconfigure the floor joists and add ledger boards. They suggested better ways to do my HVAC duct work and new returns as well. All ignored. They were also concerned as to why it was taking so long, (months) to complete simple tasks and request inspections. They conveyed to me that the contractor claimed WE as the homeowners requested all the changes such as the roof be changed. WTF? They thought that was odd....well it was / is as it is down right lie. As a telecom technician and a sales rep....WTF do we know about structural engineering? NOTHING! The inspector actually brought MANY concerns with deviations to the contractors attention and ALL were blown off and we were never informed. (He is also holding our copy of the blueprints hostage for some reason). I got a copy of his Bond insurance, and liability insurance with the city today since he was unwilling to provide them to us. The bond is for 25,000. The city is willing to go after him, but for one, that bond is not going to cover all the rework, and two, we will NOT allow him back on our property. His liabilty insurance is good for 200,000 - 1,000,000 depending on what some of protections mean. Our lawyer will have to explain that. We retained a lawyer in good confidence through a working relationship and he is going to work with us in his words; "without us having to pay his children's college tuition" LOLZ. Fortunately, as often as we have to hear that we dropped the ball on this one, we have good people trying to help us at minimal or no cost. There are good people out there...one need only look apparently. This forum is good for us as well. We NEED to hear where we wrong. As dear President Bush once said...."fool me once, shame on��"shame on you. Fool me��"you can't get fooled again". Got it ;)...See MoreRemodeling Nightmare is this normal?
Comments (10)Well, I should have added we didn't just squint our eyes and pick a number for what the remodel should cost. We first provided detailed drawings of existing vs expected finished, complete with materials list, drawings of cabinets, the works to my best friend's father and he priced for us (he's a life long contractor who does this sort of work, just not in our area) He would do the work for us, but would have to charge so much for travel as to be prohibitive. I also consulted with the man who did work for me in the city we used to live in. He's retired, but up until his health problems a year ago did this sort of work, in our area, and he agreed with the price best friend's dad gave us. Honestly I'm trying to figure out what might put us on the do not bid list. From talking around it has become apparent there is a LOT of new construction in our area, and of course that's easier/more profitable work than our teeny remodel, so we think that's probably big in this whole thing. We made it clear from the very start, this is what we have, this is what we want, we have cash in hand, we do want to start asap, but understand we must get in line with the varous subs required for the work. The remodel has in fact turned out to be a giant nightmare. The guy will tell us oh the sub will be here on X day to do Y, and on that day....nada. And he's unavailable by phone. From day one, he hides out from us. Something is wrong, and we say to sub UM...this is incorrect. Oh, we were told this is the way to do it. Um, that isn't even code. The only reason we haven't been graced with two red tags is we called up the inspector, who is a friend of ours, before he came by to inspect and inquired yes, is this ok...let me email you pictures. No, ok skip the inspection slated for X time, we will call to reschedule after it's fixed. Now we hear he's telling people we are "high maintenance". Whatever. Also we found out he was red tagged for some of the same stuff on some houses our neighbor has him working on for him. If it is high maintenance to expect the GC to 1)tell the subs to do things correctly, providing drawings where necessary - not one sub had seen our drawings to date 2) check on the subs occassionally as they work 3) call us if a show stopper is hit, not hide out til you want money 4) Know the code! I guess we'll call that our badge of honor. Our biggest issue to date is we asked how to handle a water heater in a pantry and were told no enclosure needed. I thought it was wrong and kick myself for not checking. Now I have a 5'x4' pantry that is basically a closet for the water heater enclosure. Mind you, this would not be so if he built it 2'x2' which my architect ex assures me is industry standard. He laughed and say why in the heck does the guy think the standard pans they sell for water heater enclosures are designed to fit in a 2'x2'? All I can tell you is we will NEVER hire anything else done for us. NEVER. Not worth the aggravations. If we had known it would be completely up to us to monitor the subs, inspect the work daily, etc, we'd have never hired a GC to begin with....See MoreRemodeling nightmare...how much $$ am I out?
Comments (5)-Fix sewage pipe. $1.5k -master bath: move plumbing two feet over for one sink, paint, drywall repair behind mirrors for two vanities. Install new plumbing fixtures. (The floors are being done by a separate contractor who specializes in concrete and the cabinet co. is installing the cabs.). Paint. $4k -Spare bath: Install new plumbing fixtures and new toilet. Drywall repair behind old mirror, replace light fixture. Paint. $2.5k -Powder room: New toilet, repair dry wall behind mirrors, hang new light. Paint. $1.5k -Install 650 sq. feet of engineered wood floor over concrete (Actually, the new contractors have to remove what was originally put down and clean the glue off) and refloat floor. $3k -Remove shutters from a 9ft. x 5 ft. window and reframe. Same for a 4 ft. by 2 ft. window. $2.5k -Hang a new hall light and replace two ceiling fans. $750 bones -Paint trim in house (2000 sq. feet). $2.5k -Kithen: Remove cabs and counter. Install new appliances including a cooktop and hood and a built-in oven/micro. (new wiring needed).Replace two lights.Install ikea cabs. and island $12k -Frame in laundry room with pocket door and remove wall in kitchen (about 7 ft. long). Remove closet in kitchen to install ikea pantries. Paint kitchen. $5k -haul two loads of trash away. $350 bones -install new electric outlets and lights in whole house. $2.5k -install 5 new doors and 9 new door knobs. $3k -Hang 4 blinds. 300 bones Total bill should be under $50k you do have that much budgeted right?...See Morehendricus
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMongoCT
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavidandkasie
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavidandkasie
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMongoCT
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agodrywall_diy_guy
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMongoCT
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoplants4
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoKristi
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojbremodeler
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agobdpeck-charlotte
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosierraeast
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agogehr
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomightyanvil
15 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
MOST POPULARContractor Tips: Top 10 Home Remodeling Don'ts
Help your home renovation go smoothly and stay on budget with this wise advice from a pro
Full StoryMOST POPULAR10 Things to Ask Your Contractor Before You Start Your Project
Ask these questions before signing with a contractor for better communication and fewer surprises along the way
Full StoryMOST POPULAR15 Remodeling ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments to Learn From
The road to successful design is paved with disaster stories. What’s yours?
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: What Your Contractor Really Means
Translate your contractor's lingo to get the communication on your home project right
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: 10 Hats Your General Contractor Wears
Therapist, financial advisor, mediator — for the price of a single good contractor on your remodel, you're actually getting 10 jobs done
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor's Tips: 10 Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You
Climbing through your closets and fielding design issues galore, your contractor might stay mum. Here's what you're missing
Full StoryCONTRACTOR TIPSWhat to Look for in a Contractor's Contract
10 basic ingredients for a contract will help pave the way to remodel happiness
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROS7 Tips for Making Contractors Your Allies
For a contractor as vested as you are in your home project's success, follow these time-tested techniques from a professional designer
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: Smooth Moves for Hardwood Floors
Dreaming of gorgeous, natural wood floors? Consider these professional pointers before you lay the first plank
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROS5 Steps to Help You Hire the Right Contractor
Don't take chances on this all-important team member. Find the best general contractor for your remodel or new build by heeding this advice
Full Story
jbremodelerOriginal Author