GC informed us that it will be Friday, at the earliest, when the concrete company will be able to pour. He says that the concrete sub is a little backed up. Really? I hate, absolutely hate that I now doubt almost everything that he says and feel as if I can’t depend on him.
Tag Archives: Renovation
That Explains Things
Our GC told us that they are supposed to finish the excavating for the footings as well as the grading today and they will pour either tomorrow or Thursday. We’re still trying to get them to drill for the grade beams, however their reluctance is puzzling. Our luck they didn’t do it but again, I don’t understand how they could make this mistake since they’re on the plan, but that hasn’t prevented screwups so far. I did have an interesting conversation with one of the subs today. I stopped by this morning and asked them about some of the previous mistakes and he told me that the majority of the time our GC leaves the decisions up to the subs and that they very rarely see him at any of their jobs; before, during or after. Yep, confirms my suspicions of there being a lack of supervision. 15% for sitting on his rump and quarterbacking from his desk – just answers so many questions as to why a lot of the issues/mistakes/screw ups weren’t caught.
Another Sacrifice
We found out today that we will now only have 1 entrance connecting both basements, I would rather not expand on it but I’m sure you have an idea as to the root of it.
Our Structural Engineer is still concerned that we don’t have the appropriate grade beams laid within the foundation however the concrete sub “thinks” they did it but did admit that he was unsure. Our GC? As expected he remained quiet. He has no idea being that he didn’t visit the site from grading until the day framing was to begin.
Tip to All: Make sure you have a good Construction Manager as well as GC. One who will visit the project, takes an interest in it and values his clients.
Dig It Out and Shore It Up
Our Structural Engineer met (spoke) with our GC today and was informed that the majority of the dirt has been removed which will give them the ability to properly connect the expansion with the existing structure. Now they will need to build temporary supports to support the existing structure as what was previously constructed by our GC was insufficient and basically put the existing structure at risk of collapsing. 
Better Than Any Toy
What is encouraging is the fact that she laid out the order of what needs to be done as well as how to do it. She pressed our GC for a schedule, yep, you guessed it – he couldn’t even begin to provide one. I hate this feeling that has been created. It’s becoming obvious that our GC has basically drawn a line in the sand that there are two separate parties at work on our house. Us along with our Structural Engineer, and then him and his subs – we’re supposed to be working together as a team. I don’t like this setup and I’m growing highly concerned as to where this is going to lead.
Of Course
I found out today that our GC has yet to give our bank the required updated insurance information – why am I not surprised?
At Least Now the House Won’t Collapse
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.
Save us Some Bricks
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.
No Idea and No Plan
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.
Morningside Renovation 