The temporary and proper temporary supports for the existing structure were constructed today, not as our Structural Engineer drew them but they are sufficient. Seriously? Can’t even simple drawings be followed? This is almost a joke, it’s as if our GC and/or his subs just don’t care.
Our Structural Engineer had a field meeting with our GC today. In her report she stated that he admitted that he didn’t have a plan or an idea as to how to connect the existing house with the new addition or underpin the foundation. He knew he needed to pour the foundation wall and connect it to the house for structural support as well as for waterproofing but he just didn’t know where or how? Concerning, when was he going to ask someone, is that why we’ve been on hold for weeks? Basically it came out during the meeting that he had no idea how to properly put in the foundation and shouldn’t have poured it.
It just won’t end, we also found out today that one of the walls in our carport should have been poured as a retaining wall but instead it was built as a foundation wall. So now our Structural Engineer will need to go back and redesign the framing plan to redistribute the weight of what is hopefully going to be built on top. Not sure if it was our GC or architect who screwed this up – thanks guys.
I wish that I could say that was all, however we also discovered that our GC not only forgot to install a drainage system for the basement but also, and for the 2nd time, he forgot to stub for the wet bar.
I’m going to bed, I can’t even imagine how it could get worse but that is one place where our GC continues to amaze me. How can one screw up so much? It’s as if he just doesn’t give a crap about it.
I’m sitting here tonight basically too pissed to even compose a simple entry. I’m just so mad that we’re basically stuck with having to consider alternatives since we won’t be able to have an 8′ finished ceiling in the basement. The basement ceiling was supposed to hide all of the HVAC as well as plumbing systems but because of either lack of supervision, knowledge or just plain not giving a sh!t our GC has now left us with no other choice. He made the mistake and he should rip it up? Not our GC, he continues to remind us that he doesn’t have the money to do so, forget the fact that he has been paid enough to take us through completion of framing and roofing. We’re stuck!! No way out!!! The architect is sending us options however we still won’t be able to achieve the ceiling height and we’ll need soffits. I still feel that our GC should be responsible for digging it up and doing it correctly, plus it actually makes more sense financially. It was on the plans, how can someone mess this up? I just can’t say anything more tonight, too mad and feeling dejected.
Our GC informed us that he isn’t going to pay for a new joist system for the basement which would get us closer to achieving what was on the plan. Basically he won’t even try to remedy his mistake even though it still wouldn’t be correct. So he doesn’t dig the basement area deep enough to give us the ceiling height that was written in the plans and now our choice is to either accept his mistake and us have a ceiling that is significantly lower or “WE” have to pay for an alternative? That makes absolutely no sense. There was nothing preventing him from digging deep enough he just measured wrong and refuses to admit it or make it right and then he tells Julie that he doesn’t have the funds to dig it up and do it correctly – and how is this fair? How does he not have the funds? It’s beyond scary that he has already spent all of the money that we fronted him which financially should have taken him through framing and roofing.
I so want to be done with him and would but we would be upside down since we’ve already given him a substantial amount of money that he told Julie he’s already spent on other jobs – we’re his hostage. We’re stuck and this could have been prevented with a little supervision and probably just “some” knowledge. And now Julie wants me to have a meeting with him? I just don’t see a point.
Our GC supplied us with 3 joist/flooring system alternatives since we won’t be able to use the originally designed system. Still, none of these will give us what was in the plans with regards to ceiling height, why do I feel that I’m getting pressured into settling for something less than what was originally intended as well as highly achievable? I’m trying to accept these options but it’s hard to get past that fact.
Julie informed our GC today to go ahead with pulling up the carport slab as well as removing all of the previous concrete debris from past pour failures since he just had piles/chunks of it scattered throughout the backyard which we were concerned was creating a potential safety hazard for neighborhood children. She also asked him to cover the unused lumber so it wouldn’t get wet. Hopefully he’ll be able to salvage some of the lumber, I would hate to see it all go to waste.
I received an email today from our GC basically saying that he agreed that the current pour of the carport wasn’t correct and that they will figure something out. Possibly add a curb to it – I’ll need to find out more about it but hopefully this will achieve what was in the plans.
A lot of rain is schedule for this week however our GC told us that they’re planning to slab plumb today (Google), inspect Tuesday, slab prep Wednesday, inspect Thursday and pour the slab on Friday. Yes!!! A schedule!!!
Morningside Renovation 