Take Over A Messed Up Roof Job???

EcoWise inc.

We have been installing custom metalwork on a new build valued somewhere in the 1.5M to 1.7M range. The builder is the homeowner & he is a good guy, very easy to deal with & he pays his bills, what more can you ask for?
I usually go way out of my way to not criticize the work of other contractors, nobody benefits from that crap.
But, a "roofing contractor" installed 25 square of Mod Bit roofing & about 30+ square of slate roofing on this house.
The builder has been chasing leaks for several months now, there is extensive damage, the fiber board under the Mod Bit is wet mush & there is evidence of plywood delamination in several places.
I looked the job over carefully, there is very little flashing anywhere, the roofer was WAY over his head & screwed up everything.
The builder has given the roofer 2 months (!!) to fix the leaks to no avail.
The builder should be filing an insurance claim for the damage.

I made an offer to the builder, we would tear off all the Mod Bit & enough of the slate to install all the missing flashings correctly, but only if we got to run the job 100% our way, no short cuts.
The build is 4 months behind & the only way we see to correct things is to basically start the roof over. Tear off until we get to dry materials & build it back up.

The builder is willing to sign waivers for water damage & mold, because those already exist.

Anybody had experience with these sort of problem builds? Any additional waivers we should get? We did take lots of detailed photos of mold & water damage, so we have proof of the conditions before we start.
The builder is agreeable, he needs to get back on track before he looses more. He has no problem making a large deposit & paying when the fix is complete.

What do you guys think??

Dan Merrill
EcoWise inc.

__________________
Retired Mechanical Engineer, GC, Member ASTM committees on Building Materials & Sustainable building,
Green Builder Certified,
RRP Lead Certified.

Ed the Roofer

You are on the right track. A pre-condition statement agreed to and also an unforseen damages and consequences statement.

Dated photos attested to the initial condition and VERY thorough job progress dated photos. Written statements as the job progresses as to the agreement and ongoing understandings which have been reached.

Ed

Grumpy

I've taken over on problem jobs a few times. It starts with a game of cover your ass. My proposal woudl state that no work not installed by your company is covered by yor warranty. It would also state the areas that are already installed before I start. Then I would take pictures, lots and lots of pictures before I start the job to cover my ass.

Definetly do ALL jobs your way on your terms or not at all. Jobs like this are certainly no exception.

BTW Eco, we never made it out to those addresses you sent me. However you asked for a daily rate. I charge $75 per man hour, but if we are using your tools and equipment I can work that lower, and if you are giving us constant work I can also work that lower. I'm thinking somewhere around the $60 per man hour rate. That includes GL and WC. Let me know when you want us to start.

joasis

Just as an add, I would have the guy inspect your work daily and sign off for every step.....no surprises from anyone that way. It doesn't have to be a "legal jargon", but just a basic "this is what is done, this is what we found, this is what we are doing" statement. I presume this is a "no bid" or T&M job, so your customer will know what to expect on a daily work up.

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Same Old

That could be as simple as a journal the you both initial daily.

With the quality and low cost of digital cameras, get one and take pics of all your work as you found it and as you fix it.

EcoWise inc.

Thanks guys, this is exactly what I was looking for!

With this input, it feels like a viable plan that can work.
In the past, I always listened to the guys who said "never try to fix somebody else's mistakes". But, somebody has to, as long as we cover our ass & do good work & document everything, including lots of pics, we should be good to go.
Thanks,

Dan Merrill
EcoWise inc.

__________________
Retired Mechanical Engineer, GC, Member ASTM committees on Building Materials & Sustainable building,
Green Builder Certified,
RRP Lead Certified.

AaronB.

Besides, I dont think the builder could get an insurance claim approved for shoddy craftsmanship here in Illinois.

__________________
http://www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless Industrial and Commercial Roofing Systems, Residential Repair. For Those That Demand Quality!
Free roof inspections within 12 miles of our locale.

tinner666

I thought 'fixing somebody else's screw-ups' was where the money is. My favorite jobs, unless it's a total loss. See quite a few of them and walk off.