Did it pass inspection? This certainly would not be acceptable for me.

Duplicate post.

Sorry about the duplicate post. I couldn't figure out how to remove it from "other" category. Inspection is all about structural and safety issues, not about aesthetics. So, it didn't pass MY inspection!

Well, have them fix it.

Not picky. This looks very sloppy. It is hard to tell if it affects structural aspect or if this is just trim not connected properly etc. You may need to get an independent person in to assist. Builder, engineer, building inspector. If you have a local authority as they for recommendation of who could assist you (presuming they don't).

If it has "past" inspection I would assume no structural issue more aesthetic. Don't pay all or they will disappear. The person in charge is person to start with and ask them if they would be happy with work. Stick to your guns. Withhold the amount it may cost you to get someone to fix. They may be Ok with sorting. Big breath ...... It will be fine.

Thanks all. Just met with the boss. He was smart enough not to ask for money and went through all of my 'concerns', agreeing with me 100%. Repair work is being done. I am holding my ground, trying to remain business like. It's possible the whole thing would have looked better if another company had done the whole project, but live and learn.

Any news?

Thanks for asking. New dilemma is: my husband wants us to get credit, or keep the materials left over. Unfortunately, I didn't choose a contractor who itemized his materials (first mistake). We have 2 boxes of tile left over from a previous phase of construction, as well as at least 12 full length deck boards. It is a special pet peeve of my husband's that the contractor over-orders, charges us, then takes the leftovers away. I am not looking forward to that negotiation today. Since my husband has been overseas for the duration of the project, (including choosing this company to begin with) I will be stuck with this task. Oh well.

Otherwise:We are entering week 2 of fixes. The boss has come around three times to see what is being done. Nintety-nine% of the things I am unhappy with, he has agreed with me on. The crew working on Friday informed me they were finished and rushed off once the sun set. I had to inform the boss on Saturday, that no, actually, they weren't finished. He came over, we made a list of things yet to be done (including cleaning up all their trash at the site). They will return this morning (didn't want them ruining my Sunday) to finish. The boss will be hot on their tail looking for his check. My front door, which has not been painted (only one coat of what turned out was NOT primer) I have asked be completed by the one guy on the crew who is an actual painter. He is occupied on another job for 2-3 weeks. So I'm going to wait, and only give them partial final payment. How much that will be, I'm not sure. I may call a painting company I know of to ask what they would charge. Can't wait to get these guys out of my hair!

I hope you get a lien release from them when you make the last payment. If they do not pay their subcontractors, they can slap a lien on your home. It is a simple standard form that the company should carry. Ask for it to give you peace of mind.

Definitely do as Margo said! It's called a waiver of lien. Get it, signed!

thank you - I needed to hear that.

Never heard or thought of a waiver of lien. Thank you!!

Oh cookva I am so sorry ... But at least the boss seems to be in your favour. Why oh why do things need need to be so complicated. I feel so sorry for you stuck with this! However keep your resolve! You can get this sorted! We are behind you :)

The project was completed yesterday. The boss came over and was his usual brusk self, rather than the deferential creature he was when the problems were pointed out to him. Not to belabor this point, but after the last phase of construction (bathroom reno) we sat down to go over expenses I had incurred buying fixtures , etc I knew I wanted but which had been in the contract as part of what they would supply. They seemed fine with this arrangement; I stuck their 'acceptable budget' for the items and expected to get credit for these at the conclusion of the bathroom payment. He told me at that time that those would be put off until the porch project was completed. Yesterday, I brought them up again and he seemed very disappointed I had remembered those and had none of the copied receipts I had previously supplied him. So, I did it all over again and we went through each item. He said, " yeah, I think all of this is a wash, and you don't owe me anything." I said, "Excuse me?" Yeah, it's a wash. I sternly suggested that I did not owe him anything, and in fact had paid for those items twice. I pointed out I also paid for dog doors that were installed, and all the lights for the porch which had been identified as being provided for. Lights which I never would have had if I waited for the electrician to purchase them. He never showed up with anything I had asked for ( led lights for the steps, for expl). I had also found they had promised to put in new gutters along the back of the existing house to match the new, in the contract. That was never done. His main goal was to get his check. Mine was to make sure The job was DONE and I didn't overpay. By the end of the process I had worn him out. All of the double talk I had fallen victim to during the bathroom payment phase I called him on this time. I asked only that he leave us decking boards which had already been cut and took 10% of the HUGE overage in tile ( without him offering, but I think 10% is what we paid for for breakage and repairs), got all the money back for my expenditures, negotiated a $150 credit for the door that I chose someone else to paint so I wouldn't have to prolong this relationship, $200 for the gutters never installed, and $300 for the dog doors, one of which has a lock and was exorbitantly priced, at $600 - invisible fence - a whole nother- story but my choice. The contract specified they would supply the dog doors, but even so, I would have paid more to get this one.. Then he wanted me to pay him for work I had done in other parts of the house! He started calculating by the hour, how much I owed him, for what was work done by the electrician on his time for me, the details of which he was not privy to. I said, so were those other jobs on the contract? No. Do you even know how many hours he spent working on those jobs? No. Then how is it I owe you money when he's writing an invoice for me for the other work? He said, " alright, fine then, go ahead and pay retail, I was just trying to save you money by letting you pay me at my discounted rates! Basically I wore the man down and felt more in control and right than I ever thought I would. I paid $1300 less than I would have. Not counting whatever he was going to tack on for the electrical not on the contract. After a few hours, I realized $1300 is nothing in the scheme of things, but it was important for me not to feel I had been taken. And also important I got through the process without kowtowing to the bully that he was. He had wanted to arrange for the front door to be painted and the extra decking and a ladder to be picked up another day, but I told him I would not pay him in full until all the work was done. And if he claimed the decking was his, that was fine, but it was not staying on my property after final payment unless it was mine. Everything is GONE and DONE. Thanks for the help. I could not however get a waiver of lien done. It was too confusing, I didn't have subcontractors' info and I think I would have had to hold a gun to his head to sign anything. Wasn't in me to fight him. Hope I don't come to regret that. I think I did ok for a first timer, and a mere fiber artist at that!

should have gotten waiver of lien. He can refuse to pay for materials and suppliers can come to you for payment. if you dont pay, they automatically get granted a lien on your home...record it and you cant sell your home till you pay them. unscrupulous suppliers will work with contractors to do this. its a whole nuther racket.

Why oh why are builders like this? So damn stupid as they create less work for their industry as we are all scared silly to do as much work as we may otherwise commit to. Good for you sticking it out. Can you get that last bit of documentation before final payment? Big deep breath.

Kittytadams , I know for a fact that the supplies were paid for as they were ordered. It caused several delays along the way when the boss wasn't available to give the credit card number to the workers when they needed extra things. The sub contractors, don't know about them. Although none of them seemed together enough to start a lawsuit, I guess you never know.

Clutteredval: oddly enough I just received a document in the mail from the contractor very similar to the one described to me as a waiver of lien. In plain language, it stipulates that I am happy with the work and won't claim later that something was left undone. I am thinking of writing up something that covers a waiver of lien protecting my liability, without the legalese, and sending it to him to sign.

Cookva, a waiver of lein is a document stating your contractor and all his subs and businesses used to purchase anything for your job, have been paid in full. Also, that you are not liable for any liens against your property due to contractor's non payment. Any company should be able to issue one to you when your work is completed. Get one! And don't pay in full until you do!

It is simple for their office person to do. Doesn't need to be itemized. Just states "all" persons have been paid regarding the work on your site.

Sounds fishy, if he won't issue you a waiver.

He sent ME a waiver! It's not written in legalese. It asks I confirm that: I was satisfied with all of their work, know how to contact their office, see no more debris that needs to be removed and satisfied that all work on the contract was completed. I've been told by savvier more careful friends not to sign it. I feel if I sign his paper, he should sign mine! I think I will contact our family lawyer tomorrow. Maybe she has an opinion on this.

That does not sound like a lien release. That sounds like he wants something in writing so that you never come back at him should a problem arise. Two totally different things. Now is the time to be cautious!!

Download a form
http://s96028.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/contractors-final-release-and-waiver-of-lien.pdf

Thank you - that is so much clearer than anything I found on line!