Crooked telepost in new home construction. Major problem?

1/1/2013 at 6:22:18 PM

Pic shows how crooked the telepost is compared to its sister telepost next to it.

1/1/2013 at 9:10:41 PM

Hello Matt,

I Think the support post in question will not effect the integrity or strength of your structure. The fix would be an easy one. By picking up the weight with a second post on the beam next to the post that needs to move. Pulling the 4 nails that attach it to your beam and moving it the 2 or 3 inches it needs will make it right.

I do hope your builder will come and correct it. It may take a little while for them to get back to make the repair but in the mean time - your structure is is fine. I hope they get back to you in time before you are ready to finish your basement.

The post is siting on a footing of concrete that is then surrounded by your concrete floor. There hopefully will be enough movement in the post without breaking the concrete of your floor. It may crack a little around the post but probably not. Typically when finishing out around basement posts-you simply build out around them-not attaching to them. So, if they cant move it to perfectly vertical its not the end of the world. If it is your intention to leave your basement unfinished for a period of time-then it is more of a cosmetic matter.

I am sure they will get back and do it for you. Most contractors do aim to please. Sometimes you just have to yell at the right guy.

Hope this finds you well Matt.

Bruce Tiffin

Granite Wood Construction

Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Muskoka

1/1/2013 at 9:22:49 PM

From what I can see of the pics your builder should have been there right away.

I am a contractor in Alberta and if your post is on the footing correctly and flat then the base is bent, if your floor is poured to where it should be then you will not see the footing.

I would say if the buuilder does not get back to you after you call them one last time then call the new home warranty that should have come with your new home. if that does not get them out then get your own engineer and have them look at it and tell the builder you are charging it back to them.

1/2/2013 at 11:14:05 AM

You can do it yourself. Cut a 4X4 wood post and place beside the telepost, if not tight then shim it tight. Use a wrench to loosen telepost, level it and retighten until the shims in the 4X4 wood temporary post are easy to pull out by hand.

Or fight with the homebuilder, court costs if it goes that far or go after the inspector who signed the final occupancy who can be sued if damages occur on anything load bearing in your house.

Hope this helps.

1/2/2013 at 11:50:10 AM

Matt,

I tend to agree with Bruce in that it isn't a structural issue, more cosmetic. The contractor should correct the issue so just keep after them and suggest a little language like warranty, inspectors, possible legal ... that should spark some reaction. Normally I don't like this strategy but if your contractor is ignoring you, go the next step.

It is your house and you have the right to expect a proper job.

Regards,

Mark

1/3/2013 at 9:55:00 AM

When they poured the floor, they might have accidentally moved the telepost. Check the I beam to make sure it's not twisted. If not, it won't affect things structurally. If so, it could cause problems down the road.

You do have a 2' by 2' footing beneath the post which you could break to make the necessary adjustments and then charge it back to the builder if the builder does not rectify the problem.

Joe

Inline General Contracting

1/4/2013 at 1:32:50 PM

Hi!

You could do it your self, but why should you? It is their "problem" Just make sure that after fix is done floor above is straight with out any cracks, etc.

1/5/2013 at 5:28:02 PM

I contacted the builder for a final attempt to get them to fix the telepost. Sure enough once I threatened to file a claim with national home warranty, the very next day the builder sent out one of their "service advisors" to fix the telepost. The contractor moved the telepost atleast an inch and a quarter over, as you can see the dark marks in the I beam where the top plate of the telepost used to rest.

The "service advisor" also mentioned that since my house was built 6 months ago that the materials shrink etc, so he tightned up and raised all teleposts half a turn. I thought it was pretty agressive but the service advisor assured me that was the normal adjustment for a newer home. He instructed me to keep the telepost plates "snug" with the I beam.

Anyway the telepost in question is now perfectly straight. looks a lot better

Thank you all for your advice.

1/5/2013 at 6:54:27 PM

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1/5/2013 at 9:33:09 PM

The degree the post seems to be off is not a great concern now. But over time, as the house settles it could become a problem.

It should never have gone unnoticed by the foreman on the site. And should be dealt with soon.

Stay ontop of the builder. Drop by the construction site three or four times a week. You will find it will be leveled fairly quickly if you bug them. If one of my guys did this and left it, he would be fired. Beams and posts should all be true and level.

Good luck.

James Fram

Fram Construction and Design Ltd.