Problem Customer

DavidC

Keep in mind that you're on site and we are not, our opinions are based on speculation.

That Tyvek is full of nail holes that can allow water in if it's present. Wood will wick water well beyond the entry point. If it can't dry completely within a reasonable time it will rot.

You did state that the original corner boards were installed over top of the siding, not exactly an acceptable industry standard. It is possible that the leakage and the deterioration were present before you removed the original corner boards. If that is the case, it is likely that you facilitated the leak unless you took corrective measures at that time.

Good Luck
Dave

__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com

buddy110

The original siding was holding a nail well so there was no indication of rot. My crews are paid very well for repairs so they're motivated to find it.

The windows were not flashed properly. The trim boards were installed over the siding and caulked, just like the corners. They're not trying to blame me for that. Just the corners. We capped them, "J" channeled them and sided the wall. STANDOP.

Once again, thank ou for your input.

buddy110

I'll upload some pictures ASAP

TimNJ

Remember, if he institutes the lawsuit the burden of proof is on his shoulders. He will need more than a couple of knuckleheads to prove his side.
With that said, how's your insurance coverage?

buddy110

I have a million/million. If it in fact IS my issue my subs insurance will take the hit, not mine.

abacab

How much is he asking for? If it's under one or two thousand it's better just to pay it and consider it customer relations. One angry customer and lawsuit can do a lot of damage to a reputation.

buddy110

We haven't gotten that far yet. They're sending me pictures first.

They handeled this all wrong. They were not prepared to show me anything. All the did was point their collective fingers at me blaming me for the rot and demand I make an offer. All I got to see was the finnished product and as I mentioned before it was really bad. Siding sticking out of the corners etc.

tuffplay

Buddy:

You were smart enough to cover you as5 with a good contract. I have had customers like this in the past. If you are really worried, speak to a lawyer but as long as you have not had any problems in the past you should be okay even if the customer takes legal action.

__________________
PaulAndSon

buddy110

Stuff like is why I'm moving on to Fiberglass siding.

BamBamm5144

Are there any pictures of them repairing it in the process? As in , removing it, identifying the problem and fixing it? Were you given a chance to remedy the problem? If not, contact your laywer, have him write a letter to the homeowner explaining why you are not liable for any damages and how they have insufficient proof. I just had a nearly similiar situation happen except they took pictures which showed I did it right. I won the case and all the trip charges I never charged them for plus extra money for constant harassment.

Homeowners like this should not be able to get away with extorting money from contractors.

buddy110

This has been my feeling all weekend. They handled it all wrong, never gave me the opportunity to fix or even look at the problem then ganged up on me after the fact with accusatory remarks and ultimatums.

It seems the consesnsus of the board so far has been to settle. That just gets me angrier. However, I'm going to wait to see the pictures and do some further investigation before formulating a conclusion

buddy110

Here are some pics of window rot and residing job which these guys did. There are at least 6 courses of siding out of the corner channel and one butted to the corner. These self claimed experts at diagnosing the issue but not expert enough to install siding correctly?? Give me a break

The rot you're looking at is the rough framing after the contractor took off the flat lineal's which we had capped with aluminum. As you can see the substrate (OSB) is shot and even the frame shows moisture damage. There's no way I caused this by covering the trim, especially in less than two years. All we did was cover what had been in place for 20 years. That rot was there long before we arrived.

http://www.imagecave.com/members/files.aspx

J F

You might want to embed the images in your post, no one can see them at the site you linked if they're not a member of that site.

Framer53

Or you can give us log in info>G<

Framer53

Hey Buddy, pay DavidC and myself, we will make a road trip!>G<

mics_54

nope! Yer a weeny if you settle when you didn't cause the rot. But if you DID cause it..then just admit yer a hack and pay up!

DavidC

Let's roll!

Round here we know better that to mix it up with the Utica crew.

Good Luck
Dave

__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com

DavidC

I don't think settling is the best step at this point. I'd figure out weather or not your in the wrong first. If you are, settle up and make it right. If your not, call his bluff.

Good Luck
Dave

__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com

rjconstructs

I had something similar happen to me several years ago. It was a french drain that the homeowner/lawyer claimed my tile guys stopped up by rinsing their grout tools out and letting it get into the drain. Owner claimed it worked fine before and we were responsible, end of story. No discussion, no negotiation, period. I looked at the drain pipe it was full, indeed, not with grout, but with Oklahoma red clay. It had about an 1/8" of white grout on it and the remaining 3" was red mud. It didn't matter to him. I was wrong. Owner had it all dug up and replaced very quickly before I got back out there. He took the $600.00 cost off my final draw. I called it good and let it be.
A few years later he called wanting me to do a remodel on another house...I was too busy. He called yet again on his latest reno project but I was busy yet again. I heard from the contractor doing his project that he was having all kinds of problems with this guy.
I saw on the news that, unfortunately, he was also having marital difficulties and decided to shoot his estranged wife 5 times and then use the gun on himself. He died, she didn't.
Its funny how things work out.

buddy110

Here is the window rot

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