Concrete Company delivered junk concrete. How best to pursue?

30229 Views 47 Replies 25 Participants Last post by ubcguy89, Jun 4, 2014

marcomjl

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2009

Hi, I ordered 7.5 yards this past weekend from a ready mix company that I have used several times. The mix was 3/4" stone at 4000psi. It was poured at a 5 slump. The truck was an hour late, I expected it late but not an hour. Anyways no biggy. Never seen a truck driver operating a truck at such a young age. Tthe results where horrible. He damaged curbing on the driveway in 6 different spots. Hit a neighbors tree (not a big issue), put soda (yes ginger ale) in the concrete mix half way through the pour to retard the mix (what a fricken joke), I asked him how much time I had a 1/4 way through the pour and says "don't worry about it". I was like well aren't you charging per minuite after an hour, he said no, its ok. I was put off by this cause never have they given me extra time for free. Then had to leave when the boss called dumped the rest of a yard in a pile and we had to pull and spread it all. The guy didn't know how to operate the shoot properly. He made us work our asses off.

The worst thing though is the concrete was setting up 10-15mins after screeding. I've poured concrete 100s of times and poured 4000psi a dozen times. It's stronger, but I've poured it on a hotter day and ended up sitting around for 2 hours before stamping and finishing it. It was a mess and theres a lot of discoloration in the concrete.

I did some calling around and have surmised that the mix they delivered was sitting in the truck for awhile, so when it came out that's why it set up so quick. It already had be hydrating and the chemical reaction was already occurring they were just adding water along the way to keep it wet. Also all that extra water over that time they put into the mix resulted in the concrete discoloration.

The guy was not professional. I am a contractor and this was at my parents home. So business wise I don't have to deal with a customer thank God! I dad who paid for the concrete put a stop on the check he gave them.

I called them today and told them the situation. The damage on the property, the fast setting cement they delivered and the result of it, etc. They told me they would send somebody to look at it today. So far no one.

Anyone have any experience dealing with a bad product from a truck? How to go about it, any tips.

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bwalley

· #2 · Aug 3, 2009

Send a certified letter to the concrete supplier, get it tested, and then let them know how much it is going to cost to tear it out and repour the job.

Don't forget to charge your overhead and normal profit on it, treat it like a regular job, also for the demo and disposal of the mix he dumped on your job.

When they dispatch the truck they should put the time on the delivery ticket, sounds like the driver stopped for lunch after he picked up the load, I doubt the driver still works there.

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marcomjl

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 3, 2009

Well I checked the ticket. He left the plant at 10am. Didn't arrive till 11:05am. It's only a 30min drive from the planet to my parents home. And there wasn't any traffic. So defiantly there's some missing time in between.

Get what tested? The concrete? Tested by them?

jomama

· #4 · Aug 3, 2009

When you had the driver leave the road/street, did you have to sign a damage waiver? If so, you may be SOL on the property damage. If they have a damage waiver on the ticket & you didn't sign it, you may have far better pull with them.

marcomjl

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 3, 2009

Well their ticket has some writing on it beginning to say something but its cut off on the bottom so you can only read some words and that's it. Even with that when he left he caused damage after that was signed also.

JDavis21835

· #6 · Aug 3, 2009

Well, I would say you need to get ahold of a construction testing firm if you are concerned. Have them cut a core, and test the sample for strength. I think you got a load that someone else rejected. Judging by the time delay at least. Any DOT work or commercial work that would have been going on that day? I would say they at least owe you for the load a mud, tear out/removal, and labor dollars for a pour. If they wont go for this, then its time to find a new supplier, and talk to a lawyer

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bwalley

· #7 · Aug 4, 2009

marcomjl said:
Well I checked the ticket. He left the plant at 10am. Didn't arrive till 11:05am. It's only a 30min drive from the planet to my parents home. And there wasn't any traffic. So defiantly there's some missing time in between.

Get what tested? The concrete? Tested by them?

There will be certified testing companies like Testlab in your area, they are an independant test lab and their results can be used in court.

Tell them the issues you had and they will be able to do a few cores and tell you what is wrong with the concrete.

It sounds like you were sent a hot load, the driver could add all the sugar and water he wants to but once it starts getting ready to cure, it won't do any good.

Once they get the test results and your bid for redoing it, they should write you a check.

Since you stopped payment on the 1st batch, you can't expect them to give you a replacement batch for free.

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marcomjl

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 4, 2009

Thanks for the info. I got into contact with a testing firm. I'm waiting to see what the rep from the concrete says when he comes to meet with me today. Depending on that I'll move forward. And on the payment I understand that. They will get paid but only for what we ordered when it all gets worked out.

Wish me luck.

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concretemasonry

· #9 · Aug 4, 2009

If you a good loyal customer, the conrete company will recognize that. If not, you could be treated like a DIYer.

Good concrete suppliers now have much better information and controls that what you described since the international ownership, vertical integration and technology available. If it is a ma & pa operation then that is up to you and them to sort out. The GPS tracking eliminates all questions.

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Joasis

· #10 · Aug 4, 2009

You had the pleasure of hot mud and a jerk driver....The testing will reveal the hot mud condition, maybe, but there is no excuse for the jerk dumping the load in a pile to let you guys rake it. I don't know what you should have done, but I know what I would have done....refuse the load. If the clown says he has to dump it, I would have made him sit tight while you call in to the plant, and see what is up. If they say to dump it, then you send him back and see how well you are regarded by the concrete company.

I learned a long time ago to pour at my speed, not what the driver thinks....the driver doesn't "own" the job......

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WarnerConstInc.

· #11 · Aug 4, 2009

joasis said:
You had the pleasure of hot mud and a jerk driver....
but there is no excuse for the jerk dumping the load in a pile to let you guys rake it.
....refuse the load.

I learned a long time ago to pour at my speed, not what the driver thinks....the driver doesn't "own" the job......

Oh the pains of pouring a basment floor, wind her up and shoot it out, that is a miserable job.

I saw a float get thrown through the front windshield of a truck once.
That driver never delivered another load. Of course he did knock me off of a wall when I had my back turned.

How did you manage to get mudd on a weekend anyways, OP?

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concretemasonry

· #12 · Aug 4, 2009

The float probably ended up in the poured basement along with a little extra "unofficial" water added.

On a week-end he was probably not a real contractor, but a weekend warrior. Probably a labor only guy moon-lighting.

Joasis

· #13 · Aug 4, 2009

I buy a lot of concrete, meaning I am a good customer, and I wanted 5 yards Saturday, to try out my Schwing pump and pour the piers for my new home....no dice. I told my buddy that owns the ready mix to remember he refused my Saturday request when he wants my Bobcat again to clean under the batch plant. He just laughed and said too bad...if he pours for me, he will be pouring for everyone on weekends.

I am changing companies maybe...I am still pissed.

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NJ Brickie

· #14 · Aug 4, 2009

I didn't realize that getting crete on a saturday was a big deal in other areas. I do not know of any plant around here that doesn't deliver on a saturday, to anyone. There is an extra charge per yard on saturday, usually around $8 per yard. If you are a big contractor that buys thousands of yards a year you would be able to get sunday delivery too.

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BreyerConstruct

· #15 · Aug 5, 2009

joasis said:
I buy a lot of concrete, meaning I am a good customer, and I wanted 5 yards Saturday, to try out my Schwing pump and pour the piers for my new home....no dice. I told my buddy that owns the ready mix to remember he refused my Saturday request when he wants my Bobcat again to clean under the batch plant. He just laughed and said too bad...if he pours for me, he will be pouring for everyone on weekends.

I am changing companies maybe...I am still pissed.

Yea, why risk increasing his income stream?!
He might have to hire someone else, and sit at home more...

~Matt

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Framer53

· #16 · Aug 5, 2009

NJ Brickie said:
I didn't realize that getting crete on a saturday was a big deal in other areas. I do not know of any plant around here that doesn't deliver on a saturday, to anyone. There is an extra charge per yard on saturday, usually around $8 per yard. If you are a big contractor that buys thousands of yards a year you would be able to get sunday delivery too.

Same here!:thumbsup:

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WarnerConstInc.

· #17 · Aug 5, 2009

The guy that runs the ready-mix plant here says he has to send out 3 or 4 full trucks to just pay to start the plant up and get things going. It is super rare to see a ready-mix truck on the road on saturday or sunday. Now, road projects is a different story.

JDavis21835

· #18 · Aug 5, 2009

All the big redi mix operations run on saturday around here. They do hit you for a saturday delivery charge, but its usually a few bucks a yard. Last load is out by noon, all trucks back by 2. Now if you are a big contractor, and have a big pour, you can get any of the crete companies to deliver any time, any day

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Joasis

· #19 · Aug 5, 2009

Our local ready mix plant has one owner, and 2 trucks....the next competitor 8 miles away, 4 trucks, hungry for business. Next is Dolese.....mega company, hundreds of trucks, have to call central dispatch.

The point is, I like the local guy, and try to use him exclusively....then the next guy if we are on a big pour.

He told me he would hit me with $150 to batch on Saturday, plus the concrete, and when I said no way, that is when he said no....and really, no big deal, but I bet I won't do him any favors either...business is business.

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jomama

· #20 · Aug 5, 2009

JDavis21835 said:
All the big redi mix operations run on saturday around here. They do hit you for a saturday delivery charge, but its usually a few bucks a yard. Last load is out by noon, all trucks back by 2. Now if you are a big contractor, and have a big pour, you can get any of the crete companies to deliver any time, any day

Generally the same situation around here. This year is definately slower, I'd be surprised if our main supplier has been open more than 2 or 3 Saturdays this year. In past years, I've been able to pull a favor or 2 & pour on a Sunday. I normally try to avoid Saturday pours at all costs though, as it seems like material prices are high enough the way it is.

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