It’s been 3 days since any work has been done on the house, disappointing since we were told that they were really going to start moving everything forward to try and get back on track.
On another and rather confusing note, today Julie asked our GC to contact the sub that cleared out the backyard to have him come and finish clearing out the front yard, especially being that we’ve already paid for it. His response – that sub is out of business. Initially this was disappointing, until I called the sub myself and found out that he was still in business. I just don’t understand why our GC would lie to us about him being out of business? I want to and I’m trying to give our GC the benefit of the doubt on this but it’s hard. I just keep asking myself why would he lie about this and also, have we been lied to about anything else?
I’ve been continuing to ask our GC for the framing plan for the renovation and new addition as well as the roof, however he informed me today that his engineer doesn’t have the software to do it and they (GC & subs) would just design it in the field. No Way!! I’ve seen how they “engineered” our framing in the past, I would be an even bigger fool if I let this happen again. Fortunately he did suggest that we hire a structural engineer and have that person can check everything and if anything is found to be questionable then he would “re-do” it. Sounds okay, I guess, but why not make sure we do it correctly the first time? Also, don’t most engineers have software to aid in drawing their plan? I’m sure that I could probably even find a free version/program online.
So today Julie and I met with our GC at San Francisco Coffee Shop to discuss all of the issues going on at the house and how we can resolve them and hopefully move forward. I prayed a lot before the meeting for the strength of silence and to be reasonable but from the moment he walked in it proved to be difficult. Forget the fact that he was late and sat down with his arms crossed while leaned back in his chair, it was more of his defensive and aloof disposition while making us feel as if we were crazy and the ones being unreasonable that tried my patience as well as tested my limits.
The purpose was to discuss and resolve the issue of the basement not being dug deep enough and how could we accomplish what was on the plans, an 8′ finished ceiling in the basement. He was quick to shift the blame to everybody except him; architect, subs, property, etc… but when I pressed him further it basically came out that he measured/calculated the needed depth incorrectly and never came back to oversee the work of his subs. While he was quick to pass the buck to everyone but himself, he is supposed to oversee the job, what really ticked me off was when we started discussing the various options that would bring us closer to that which is in the plans. It was quickly obvious and then blatantly so when he informed us that he was not going to pay for his mistake. If we wanted what was in the plans as well as discussed numerous times then it didn’t matter if he messed up, it would cost us extra, we would be the ones having to pay the extra money for a new joist system. I’m not sure if it was his arrogance or ignorance as to where his standing originated but after using a fairly elementary analogy we eventually had an agreement. Basically it was decided that he would pay for the new joist system as well as take the construction through framing and roofing all under the guidance of a structural engineer hired by us. After all was completed we would evaluate everything and decide at that time whether we would continue to move forward with him, my hope is that we would – probably stupidity, but I still want to believe in this guy.
What got me was his parting shot, he had the nerve to tell us that we had to use him, that we “had no other option than to stick with him”, that we either would have to stick with him or sell it. What an arrogant ass. I thought we were moving forward and possibly starting to move forward despite his attitude but to level such a stark comment was beyond professional.
One other interesting fact from the meeting with our GC, I would think that he has a fairly good idea about our plans. As we discussed the plans it came out that he had no idea that we were planning on connecting the existing and new basement, even though it is in the plans along with being discussed verbally and in emails numerous times. He then arrogantly informed us how that couldn’t happen but quickly backed off as I showed him on a napkin that it was achievable. I guess all of my experience of building a bird house when I was a kid paid off.
How? How did we, No how did I let this happen? How did I put us in this position? I thought that we had done the needed due diligence, we talked with his references but the guilt of putting Julie and myself in this position is unexplainable. I trusted him, thinking back there were little signs that I should have read, but this experience has become all of the bad you ever hear about dealing with contractors. Sure, I blame him, but I blame myself. I feel that I’ve tried to except some of the mistakes but this one effects not only the functionality of the house but also the value.
Sad thing is that he’s correct, we’re trapped. He knows it and I truly feel that he’s taking advantage of it.
I sent an email to our GC today asking for a copy of the mechanical plans, he said that isn’t done with residential construction and they always figure it out on-site? Damn, that scares me every time he says something about figuring it out on-site.
I mentioned that water was STILL getting into the back bedroom and that we would not be paying for any damage that this creates and that I’m expecting him to do so.
Also, showed how it would make more sense financially for him to remove the basement slab that he incorrectly poured and do it the correct way as well as what was in the plans versus the new framing system and all of the other various modifications that will now need to be made. I asked why he wouldn’t consider it and I’m anxious to receive his answer as it truly does make sense to start over.
I’m starting to have concerns if the job is even doable financially from the numbers he provided us. I think that I’m going to have a couple of people look at them and give me their thoughts to see if it can be finished. I just wonder why else he would be stalling?
More great news – I found out that another completed job of his is unable to receive a Certificate of Occupancy because of code issues, and I heard about ANOTHER judgement in which he is in default. Not sure if this is one of the ones I previously found out about but damn this is scary – what are we doing? Julie keeps persuading me to give him an opportunity to let him make it right but I wonder if he has the ability to be able to do so?
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 and I had a long discussion today about how we should move forward with the house if we can’t get everything worked out with our GC. Basically we came up with 3 options: sell the house, redesign the house and make it smaller or not do all of it now and phase some of it. Even just talking about this gets me upset, we’ve possibly been put in a position where financially none of these make sense. If we have to pay to fix all of the issues that have been created by our GC and then construct it the way it was supposed to be built then I don’t see how we can justify all of the added expense. In a perfect world we would ask for our GC to refund what was already paid to him, however he’s already told Julie that the money we advanced him has been spent. Plus, I found out today about 2 more jobs that he has recently completed where the home owners have been experiencing major issues with his construction. This just isn’t a good situation and I need to find a way to make it right so we can finally get in our house.
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 a rather rude email from our GC today, his response to me asking that the carport slab be pulled up and poured correctly and re-poured as according to the plan. Basically his feeling is that I’m being unreasonable for asking this and we should be satisfied with it. The slab was poured incorrectly and can definitely present a water issue with the house, it’s not our fault that he did it wrong.
I also asked about the repeated delays, his crew has yet to work more than 3 days in a row, of course he wouldn’t address that question. The carrying cost is costing us a lot of money, we were originally supposed to be in the house in May however now we are at least 4 1/2 months away if they hustled. He also chose not to respond to my request for a meeting to discuss how we can prevent further problems and delays – a lot of the issues that have arisen had already been discussed numerous times and should not have occurred. Really makes me wonder if there is a lack of communication between our GC and his subs or if it is just simple incompetence?
Morningside Renovation 