How to deal with a substrade deck miscalculation

8/20/2016 at 6:29:34 PM

I would fire them. Don't pay them another cent as the were un able to do the job as described on the plans.

8/20/2016 at 9:37:12 PM

Settle at $1000, eat whatever profit that cuts into. Your company is only as good as your worst subtrades. The faster you can distance yourself from them the better. Hire someone else to finish the work. Remember we are in the industry of customer service.

8/20/2016 at 10:05:36 PM

I have to agree with Kirk. Settle for giving them another $500.00 so that no liens are filed and satisfy your client. Then distance yourself from the sub as it is clear they are not trustworthy.

8/21/2016 at 9:22:37 AM

Do not pay them anything else. what you require is your written Estimate from that Company detailing the scope of work required. Even if the work required is not very detailed as long as you have the drawing that has measurements on it the detail the size of the deck and how many posts required. It sounds like unfortunately you did not take out a permit, if you did and you have details of the placement and size of the various posts in writing, the law is on your side. If a lot of this is just word of mouth and no permit. Best is to just pay him to complete it the way you want and learn your lesson or take your chance on losing big in court your word against his.

8/22/2016 at 4:29:39 AM

You need to pay them and chalk it up to experience, you obviously hired the cheapest guy you could find and then you never followed up until they said they where done or you heard from the client.

As a general contractor (you) are responsible to ensure the job is done right, you are liable for everything, it also sounds like there is no permit as it is lagged to the house the inspector would have question the posts if they where in the wrong spot.

Pay them and be done with it, go and fix it your self and make sure it is safe and legal as you are 100% liable. Next time when you hire a sub trade check there past work as these guys are obviously not very smart.

8/24/2016 at 3:52:01 PM

I agree with the previous posters. I would call a meeting and lay out all the deficiencies you noted. Come up with a number that reflects those deficiencies and try to agree on a settllement and part ways. In the future be sure to review the design process for your subs.

8/24/2016 at 5:55:16 PM

Give them the opportunity to fix it right at their cost. You supplied the drawings, if they didn't know how to read prints, they should have hired someone who could. If they refuse to do it right, you have the option to take them to small claims. Assuming you had a written contract with the builder.