Nothing much to report however we did notice all of the bricks that will be removed from the existing house and thought that maybe we could find a way to use those, possible accent feature on an interior wall? Who knows? We like the idea though. Julie asked the GC if he could try to set them aside when they’re being removed. His remark, “we’ll do what we can”. Nothing more, nothing less. I have a feeling it isn’t going to happen. Great thought though and I would hate to see them go to waste.
Tag Archives: Construction and Maintenance
Hopeful Step in the Right Direction
We hired a Structural Engineer today to hopefully identify some of the structural issues created by our GC but more importantly provide us with a remedy. Part of me just views this as an added unnecessary expense however it is now obvious that we are going to need these services. She (yes, she) is very impressive and amazingly knowledgable, she feels certain that she’ll be able to get everything back on track however she did say that the recent construction (poured slab and framing) was beyond concerning and questioned if our GC had ever built a house before. Not Comforting at ALL!!!
Julie and our GC did schedule a meeting with our GC for June 1st, unfortunately they won’t allow me to attend.
He’s Been Here Before
Received some unsettling news today that our GC already has judgments against him and is in default on one of them. Oh, and it gets better, another job also has foundation problems that he’s trying to work through, while another past client of his is in the process of pursuing a claim against him. I’m more than scared, but he really has us in a bind being that we’ve already paid him more $ than the work he has actually completed. Scarier, I’m only starting to scratch the surface with his past and current clients.
This is a horror movie, I can clearly see what has happened to those before me but I’m trapped and can’t escape.
Pull it up and Get it Covered
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.
So Our GC says that I’m Unreasonable
I received an email today from our GC stating that “while the goal for the basement was to have a ceiling height of 8 feet, we’re as close to that depth as they could get based on the site”. Why did he tell us during our on-site meeting with him on March 31st that the ceiling height was correct? Was he lying, I hope it was more ignorance than deceitfulness. Side note – I checked on this and this just is not true, there was nothing physically or structurally that would prevent someone from digging any deeper. The subs told me that they dug to the depth of what was told to them by our GC.
He also informed me that he will not remove the slab, that he can’t afford to remove it because he has already spent what we have given him and that “any reasonable person” that saw the site would agree. So now I’m unreasonable wanting what was 1) shown in the plan and 2) highly achievable. He stated that he’s going to put everything on hold until we decide what we want done.
I guess that means either we accept the slab that was poured at an incorrect depth, at least 8″ too shallow, or he’s walking?
So he screwed up and we have to accept it or else I’m unreasonable?
Positive Attitude
Ok, I’m trying to put the developments from the last few days behind me and focus on the big picture; the revised plans have been resubmitted to the City Planning Department so my hope is that it won’t be another 4 week delay. We need to get this going, our GC hasn’t been very responsive and moving in by June is looking more doubtful – it kills me to see that nothing is happening at the house – it’s just sitting there with nothing be done.
Plans are to be submitted tomorrow, per our GC, so my focus needs to be on the overall objective and trying to keep Julie’s spirits up after all of the recent setbacks and delays.
Demo Begins
Yeah!! Our GC just informed us that his crew is planning on demo’ing the old detached garage
as well as the deck and back of the house where the addition will be added.
Next up grading, foundation, framing, etc… Can’t express the excitement we’re feeling and knowing that in just a few short months this “structure” will be transformed into our home.
Here We Go
Our GC just informed us that he’s meeting with the silt fence guy as well as the foundation sub tomorrow to discuss everything – wish that they had done so while we were waiting on the permit but nonetheless we’re excited to get this going!! Big question is what do we do next? So much to do and decide in 5 months but thankfully our GC feels confident that all can be accomplished – thankful for his laid-back attitude.
Morningside Renovation 