GC Screwing Up

oldfrt

I took on a siding job on new construction where the GC will probably cost the HO down the line.

First, I was hired by the HO(friends)and not by the GC

Second ,the GC is a friend of the HO's son

Third,The GC has no license(he's been framing with his dad)Told the HO he could save them some money.

He did the framing ,installed the windows,and put the roof on.He's lining up the plumber,electrician,heating and sheet rockers.

I became a little leery of his work when I walked in the garage and saw a triple 20" laminated beam sitting on top of a 2x8 door header.The room above is open for storage.


As I was installing roof brackets for staging on a dormer,I noticed all the shingles(timberlines)were nailed too high.

Should I inform the HO of these problems?I was hoping the building inspector would spot these issues and save me the trouble.

This was an evening and weekend project for the kid, and has dragged on way past the scheduled completion date.I'd hate to throw this bombshell at the HO but I feel they should know.

The HO is a retired couple,trying to move closer to their daughter.The daughter hired me and the GC .

GregS

Is it even going to be inspected?

Was there even a permit pulled?

Tscarborough

I would discuss the issues with the G.C., first, and if his answers were not what could be considered to be correct, I might then raise the issue with the HO. Try to work it out first as professionals, then hammer down if he is determined to be a jackleg.

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kevjob

whats the deal with inspections, any been made?

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

L. B. Condulet

I'd keep it to myself.

firemike

You are in a tough spot. Caught in the proverbial battle with your conscience about doing what's right by your friends.

Do you know the inspector? Maybe just plant a little bug in his ear about what to look for. Hopefully he would see it himself though, but you never know. I have seen inspectors let homeowners get away with stuff they'd never let a contractor get away with.

Buildinghomes has a good point, was a permit ever pulled. If it's new construction you would think there would be. If not, that might be your answer right there. As a professional, you go in and pull a permit for your vinyl siding part of it, listing it as new construction, and hopefully they (the building department) should be able to figure out the rest.

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-Mike-

Heritage

Nail his arse to the board...he'll learn.

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neolitic

Sounds right to me.
Except the diddly ding dang?

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Michaeljp86

Thats the ticket

Bob Kovacs

Why wouldn't you bring it up to the owner? You've got an unlicensed hack doing work that's sub-par and potentially dangerous. Relying on the building inspector to catch it is fruitless, as they typically don't spend enough time on an inspection to do a thorough job, and it's unlikely that he'll climb on the roof and check the shingle nailing.

As a professional, licensed contractor (you are licensed, right?), it's the right thing to do if you want to keep your profession from going down the tubes.

Mike Finley

Why are you even asking? You're working for your friends???? The simple solution is to quit and tell them why and let them make the decision. You really want your name attached to this cluster? Who do you think is going to take all the heat when things start going bad a few years from now?

woodmagman

Contractors ask themselves every day how something made it passed the inspector or what was the contractor thinking. You have are the solution to potential problems.
This forum is full or threads about hacks, and wana be contactors.
The reason anyone refers you to a job is because of two things, pricing or trust. You must have done something right to earn the trust of your friend in the first place. I think the thing that will carry everyone futher in business is the trust portion as prices can vary.....

Kingfisher

If he has no lic then the HO must have pulled the permit or they are sliding by. Either way they are trying to save money the wrong way. Make sure someone pulled a permit, if not turn them in. If the HO did and is trying to run it themselves as GC tell them the problems when your work is done.

Hire crap, get crap (hows that for a sig)

oldfrt

Well,it looks like I will be confiding with the HO.

My only reason for not doing it as yet is because this is a small town and I learned a long time ago to be careful what you say to anyone.What goes around,comes around.
The permits had been pulled,as the inspector won't show up without one.He was actually a shop teacher in my high school,back when.So this is like his semi-retirement job three days a week.I balked on approaching him as I wanted to confront the framer/roofer first.
But this guy just doesn't get it.
He's left the house wide open to the weather(door not installed) while the sheet rockers have delivered their compound,and it's been below freezing for the past week.
He's a nice enough kid,but he's been a lousy GC.

I had to redo half the Tyvek he applied,and most of it was from a 3' roll.Windows were not nailed off,or taped,nail fins cracked from using a roofing gun on them,the corner flash was missing.
He's added a considerable amount to my work load,fixing his screw-ups.

His answer to the lam beam over the header was,I do that all the time!
For the Tyvek,he says that the house won't breath if there aren't rips in it.

A little venting here,but this crap pizzes me off!!!!!

kevjob

I laugh when people tell me they can do my job, GC is multi-tasking job from scheduling to problem solving and most of all knowing codes and how to build properly. good luck oldfrt let us know what comes of this mess.

__________________
Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

mxim

yiu are the sider and have nothing to do with anything else. DO NOT say anything. if anything,tell the gc. why cause problems and talk to the HO? don't do it.

silvertree

Keep it to yourself, in this case the bearer of bad tidings would at best turn this into an awkward situation.

invest

Sorry but I have to say, you need to step up to the plate and do the right thing, its sloppy work like that that gives us good contractors out there a bad name. The HO is spending a good $ for the work and expects it done right. What if it was a member of your family getting the slop work at their expense, would you want someone to step up? I would tell your friend and if he doesnt correct it do what you have to do to make it right for the HO.

Forry

Nah, don't say anything, they hired an unlicensed someone to build their house, and they can learn their own lessons with this. At best, you'll come out looking like a jerk.

Bob Kovacs

Actually, at best he'll come out looking like a hero- especially since the homeowner is a friend, not just some customer who picked his name out of the phonebook.