OT: what would you do? deck contractor and non-level result

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by charliedid

Thanks for that.

I can see if it had a gap but it didn't seem that way and the odd 4x4 does maybe indicate that. Either way the treads do look narrow in the pic and I'd have to loose that 4x4. Seems like it would have been easy enough to terminate the treads into the structure.

And attach a rail to the lap siding.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Peter B

And attach a rail to the lap siding.

Exactly

[erolorhun]

Originally Posted by pasadena

You hired a contractor that didn't completely savage your bung hole.
That's a win.
Put a chair on the deck and enjoy a beer.

This made me laugh, first time for an entire day haha

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by charliedid

Thanks for that.

I can see if it had a gap but it didn't seem that way and the odd 4x4 does maybe indicate that. Either way the treads do look narrow in the pic and I'd have to loose that 4x4. Seems like it would have been easy enough to terminate the treads into the structure.

The awkward railing construction is due to the use of prefab railings. You can see the builder did not shorten the railing sections and that pushed the outside railing into the stairs narrowing the path width. The newl post part way down the stairs would not pass code anywhere. It was done because the prefab sections come in only one length. The use of prefab is also behind the poor placement of the railing against the wall side of the stairs. The prefab posts srcew into the surface they are resting on and do not continue into the structure below. Again why the placement is so awkward. Lazy or unskilled would be the culprit here. Poor application of the materials and poor choice of the same.

[majorcsharp]

Obviously having the original contractor fix it is the superior option, but given that he's family that may not be possible. Sometimes these guys don't want to take these jobs on just because they're too busy with other projects or a fix-it situation is too small to them -- still not not excusable in my opinion but a reality. Would it be possible to get a quote from/have the work done by another contractor and then ask the original contractor to reimburse you the difference? Spending more money sucks, but maybe it could also give you a basis to go after him in court for the damages? I know cmg was being sarcastic, but easier than hiring an engineering company or anything like that. If the Contractor 2 sees that the work was obviously done in a ****ty way and fixes it that's good evidence in your favor. And you get your level deck too.

[wallymann]

contractor finally came out, they ended up lopping 1.5" off the offending post -- that's a boat-load for such a small deck!

when they lowered the deck onto the trimmed post, water held from overnight rains started draining from the deck framing.

*now* i'll enjoy that on my deck!

before:


after:

[Hank Scorpio]

I realize this has been resolved but did anyone suggest getting a larger birdhouse to weigh down the offending corner? That’s what I would done.

[Hindmost]

Glad to hear. I was getting ready to put my tools in the car and come over.

[charliedid]

Clap Clap Clap

[Peter P.]

Since the contractor was a relation and it sounded like there might be some familial friction in trying to get your deck repaired, was their any problem? Did you get any grief? Did they ask you to pay for the "repair"?

Thanks for the update, by the way.

[wallymann]

no added cost to correct.

friction in the form of a general unwillingness to resolve immediately or own up to installation error.

water under the bridge, but no longer on our list of go-to contractors.

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Since the contractor was a relation and it sounded like there might be some familial friction in trying to get your deck repaired, was their any problem? Did you get any grief? Did they ask you to pay for the "repair"?

Thanks for the update, by the way.

[Hakkalugi]

There’s a guy who’s been working on my house for 14 years. He’s a hack electrician, lousy plumber, wood butcher of a carpenter, is terrible at finishing projects, leaves his tools all around the place, doesn’t sweep very well, and can’t read a tape measure. Jobsite safety is a concept completely lost on him, I’ve seen him climb ladders and scaffolds in flip-flops. He keeps insisting that projects don’t have to be done, just “done enough”. Not only that, he does a terrible job tuning my bikes, can’t edit my blog worth a damn, drinks all my beer, and sleeps with my wife.

I’d say you got off pretty easy with the fix on your deck.

[wallymann]

I bet he's pretty cheap, though!

Originally Posted by Hakkalugi

There’s a guy who’s been working on my house for 14 years. He’s a hack electrician, lousy plumber, wood butcher of a carpenter, is terrible at finishing projects, leaves his tools all around the place, doesn’t sweep very well, and can’t read a tape measure. Jobsite safety is a concept completely lost on him, I’ve seen him climb ladders and scaffolds in flip-flops. He keeps insisting that projects don’t have to be done, just “done enough”. Not only that, he does a terrible job tuning my bikes, can’t edit my blog worth a damn, drinks all my beer, and sleeps with my wife.

I’d say you got off pretty easy with the fix on your deck.