Am I being unreasonable?
santabarbaratara
8 years ago
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Build in progress....am i being unreasonable?
Comments (11)Worthy, I hate to say it but I've seen similar state-mandated warranty standards used in my jurisdiction as an excuse for NOT having to repair substandard work. Specifically, the standard you cite indicates that cracks visible from 6 m under normal lighting conditions... are not acceptable . Unfortunately, an attorney representing the builder would argue ( and probably successfully) that this standard means that cracks visible at any distance up to 5.9999 m under normal lighting conditions are acceptable and therefore don't have to be repaired. And furthermore, the burden of proof is on the homeowner to show that the crack he is complaining about is visible at a distance of 6 m or more. Showing that it is clearly visible at 5.9 m and therefore highly likely to still be visible at 6.0 m isn't good enough. For those not familiar with metric measurements, 6 m is just under 20 feet! I rather doubt the ceiling of OP's patio is 20 feet above the ground. It is probably more like 10 to 15 feet above the ground which means it is probably only 4 to 10 feet above the eye level of a person standing on the patio. Thus, under those warranty standards, an attorney would probably argue that, even tho the cracks are clearly visible to anyone standing on the patio, OP must first prove that the cracks ARE be visible from a distance of 20 feet before builder should have to repair them! Since it might be impossible to back off 20 feet from the patio ceiling (even lying down on the floor would only put you 10 to 15 feet away), builder's attorney would argue that OP has failed to meet his burden of proof to require builder to repair. This is a ridiculous result but I've seen exactly this kind of thing happen here in Texas where our state-mandated warranties are often very similarly worded to the example you provided. It's great that you think the standard means that If you can see the repairs from the ground in normal light, they're not acceptable. This tells me that you're a builder who takes pride in his work and wants to do a good job. I wish every builder - and the law - agreed with you. But at least in my jurisdiction, that is NOT how that warranty standard would be interpreted. IMHO, - and I suspect you agree with me - cracks in trimwork should not be noticeable under normal lighting conditions to any person within the built environment who is not specifically hunting for cracks in the trimwork. When one is within the environment where the trim work is located, one should notice the trimwork and not notice any cracks in it. If cracks can be seen from any location where a visitor would normally stand, then the cracks should be repaired. Thus, cracks in trimwork located closer to normal eye-level should have to be more carefully repaired than cracks in trimwork located 20 or 30 feet above the ground. Unfortunately, lawyers don't write warranty standards that way. My experience is that the more specific and detailed a standard is, the more likely it is that a bad builder will be able to use it to excuse shoddy workmanship....See MoreSmith Brothers of Berne - am I being unreasonable?
Comments (4)This line is well regarded, a google search should confirm that. Why aren't you getting anywhere? You have real questions about the sofa but used most of this post to complain about the dealer and factory. What did you really want to know? OK, I'll respond to the questions you did pose. Do they want to sell furniture? Yes, through a network of retail dealers. This is different than buying a car, however, if you went to Macy's and wanted information about a name brand leather coat you were thinking of purchasing you'd probably have the same experience. Does this seem a bit over the top? On your end, yes. And what possible connection can there be between warranty service and responding to your questions? Really, there is no basis for that. If they staffed a help desk like Butterball does for turkey questions it would make their sofas even more expensive. They don't sell millions of units each year, they sell hundreds per month, and its just not in the budget. Regarding the last question, followup questions are good if you know where you're going with them. Where you're going with this isn't clear. If you want an ironclad 10 year guarantee on the fabric, well, buy HP Ultrasuede fabric or Herculon. Both look like crap (except for Ultrasuede on modern sofas styles.) If you're going to put the sofas through really heavy use (abuse) maybe you should buy the cheaper stuff and replace it as needed. Customers who ask for rub figures, compression ratios, spring gauge and other unpublished tech specs usually don't buy anyways. So maybe be surprised that you're getting treated with respect. And being treated with respect doesn't mean you'll get all your questions answered. A store that carries Smith of Berne IS a better furniture store. Use your better judgment and you'll be fine....See MoreAm I being unreasonable?
Comments (31)I'm not understanding why you need a contractor for these jobs. A counter top fabricator does the laminate....even if you buy your laminate counter top at the hardware store (local or big box) they're just farming it out to the fabricators. Find the best local fabricator. Find the best tile guys in town and have them bid the backsplash. Same with the floor installers. I hire a contractor when I have a big project....pulling permits, moving walls, electrical and plumbing.A complicated project with a tight time line that needs a great manager who is juggling at least 5 trades. Someone who either has their own team or who the subcontractors give a priority schedule to because this is their future work also. And it's written in the contract that they have 30 days to complete the project or they lose money every day it's late. If I wanted a 3-6 month remodel project then I would be my own general. if I'm paying that contractor $45-60/hr to manage then they'd better be managing that job well. Everything else is a separate project, such as tiling my front hallway. By subbing that out myself I save $75/hr. and I can choose the best tile guy in town. If I have projects in different areas of the house I treat them as separate projects. I get a better bid from the contractor because the scope is clearly defined...and there is future work. I also have ALL of my drawings made before bid, including electrical and plumbing. Everything is specified, with appliance installation sheets in the bid packet. All cabinets and appliances and tile are pre-ordered and waiting to be installed on the start date so that there are no delays. And I don't change my mind or do a "while we are at it" because change orders throw the original schedule out the window and erase delayed construction penalties. A quick way to drive yourself crazy, IMO. I'm on my 4th house remodel, that is, complete house remodels for 4 different houses. For what you need doing I wouldn't think of hiring that expensive manager...you don't need to pull permits....See MoreBackslash - Am I being unreasonable?
Comments (66)Romy, They are the nicest crackle tiles I have seen. The saleswoman said she would NOT order me silver, as too often came with blue tones. The Cameo is on the other board, and has a green undertone. It is definitely not yellow, nor are my countertops (predominantly grey). I'm not sure it is best match for my cabinets, and if I can figure out how to get some decent photos, I'll post separately. I just love the crackle over the glass tiles I've been shown. If I could do it all again, I'd shop BS first, and then find a quartz countertop that lets the BS shine. In your last picture, the silver looks dark, and I know it isn't. It is truly lovely. What I have learned from you is that I will order several extra sheets. If some tiles look too dark/off color, I can have extras to replace....See MoreAmber
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