Window contractor problem
Lori B
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
Related Discussions
One year later - still contractor problems
Comments (18)A basement drainage system is one of the most important elements of a house design. It should have been drawn and specified by your architect and he should have insisted on doing that even if he did not have subsurface information yet. He should also have been asked to review any changes and to look at the excavation to determine any unusual conditions like organic material or poor drainage. It's the cheapest insurance you can buy. I will not work on a project where I do not perform site observation simply because I cannot afford the increased liability. There are always mistakes in the field just as there are always mistakes in the drawings. An architect's job on the site is to catch and correct them. I would have allowed the system to drain by gravity to the downhill slope as well as installing a sump pump. There is no such thing as "overkill" regarding water intrusion protection. This is not only good practice, it protects the owner, designer, and builder from liability later. An owner should never allow a builder to design any system without a written description or drawing reviewed by another knowledgeable person if not a design professional. A builder is not an owner's agent or design consultant and has a clear conflict of interest. And there are just too many things that can go wrong with a house design to assume a builder will do everything right. A warranty from an individual rather than a manufacturer is only as good as the good will of the person and his/her financial ability to honor it. I have always believed the primary purpose of a contractor's warranty is to help him get paid at the end of the work and that it is rarely a protection against design errors. Please forgive me for a war story. I was interviewed by two lawyers about a project where a downhill neighbor was suing claiming my client did not properly drain his foundation and had created a water problem on their site. They asked a lot of odd questions but when I suggested we look at the drainage system in the weekly construction photographs they ended the interview and we never heard from them again....See MoreWindow Retrofit - Box Window Problem - Need Help
Comments (2)Well bottom line is that we did not pay 100% and the contractor as well his supplier are in agreement that the company S&R window did shotty work at best and are going to take the windows back once our contractor removes them. We ordered new windows from our typical supplier and they are scheduled to be installed next week. Sad thing though is that this forum used to be a buzz with all sorts of help and advice. From my reading of it I see a lot of the tough questions and issues have gone unanswered. Sad to see that this forum is not as relevant as it used to be....See MoreBath Project: Contractor Problem
Comments (8)I have to agree with Joseph.I have been a remodeling contractor for years and owned a custom cabinet and furniture shop for 13 of those years.I had a dedicated finishing room with a pro spray booth and everything else that was needed to make quality cabinets with a quality finish. That being said,Not all do but for the GC to outsource your vanity to a "finisher " and to upcharge you for that amount with an inferior finish is unacceaptable. Then to have the cabinetmaker which already stated he is not a finisher to be redoing it in your kitchen just adds insult to injuiry. In the first place I would not be able to sleep at night calling myself a custom cabinetmaker if I could not aplly a quality finish to the cabinets I built.that is part of the process. Secondly,it seems to me as if they are just trying to get the money and run. Not really enough info here for me to make that assumption and hope I'm wrong. JMHO...See MoreProblems with contractor "warranty work" - Please Help!
Comments (16)millworkman; I live in Maryland so "MHIC' stands for "Maryland Home Improvement Commission" and they are a division of "The Department of Labor and Licensing". In Maryland, you can file a claim against a contractor through this agency and get a hearing which will include the contractor at which time you can introduce evidence like photos, etc. It's always a big help if you can find another contractor (or 2 ) that agrees with your assessment of the quality and is willing to testify for you at the hearing. If you don't have a reference document that you can cite that supports your claim, the issue will be decided on whether or not the work met normal "industry standards". Our MHIC telephone support that will help with the necessary forms etc., but not the case specifics. Think of it as the first official legal step against a contractor where the next step (if you don't get satisfaction), is to file a civil lawsuit. I've just been through this recently (from August 2016 to September, 2017 - total of 13 months) and you have to be tenacious - their strategy is to wear you out so that you just give up. If you have a good complaint, the contractor doesn't want it to go to court if there's any chance that they will lose because of the potential for negative publicity and potential loss of business. Joseph Corlett, LLC who posts on this site is a good resource and knows a lot about these things....See MoreLori B
4 months agotoddinmn
4 months agoLori B
4 months agoLori B
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agoLori B
4 months agotoddinmn
4 months agoLori B
4 months agoLori B
13 days agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
13 days agoMetal Roofer
13 days ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESSolve Privacy Problems With Window Film
Let the light in and keep prying eyes out with an inexpensive and decorative window film you can apply yourself
Full StoryWINDOWSContractor Tips: How to Choose and Install Windows
5 factors to consider when picking and placing windows throughout your home
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: What Your Contractor Really Means
Translate your contractor's lingo to get the communication on your home project right
Full StoryCONTRACTOR TIPSHow to Check the Quality of a Contractor’s Work
Make sure your remodeler lives up to promises and expectations before you make the hire
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 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 StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Install Energy-Efficient Windows
Learn what Energy Star ratings mean, what special license your contractor should have, whether permits are required and more
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESHow to Work With Awkward Windows
Use smart furniture placement and window coverings to balance that problem pane, and no one will be the wiser
Full StoryMODERN ARCHITECTUREKeep Your Big Windows — and Save Birds Too
Reduce bird strikes on windows with everything from architectural solutions to a new high-tech glass from Germany
Full StoryECLECTIC HOMESHouzz Tour: Problem Solving on a Sloped Lot in Austin
A tricky lot and a big oak tree make building a family’s new home a Texas-size adventure
Full Story
toddinmn