Hi all! I need some straightforward advice regarding a concrete steps project that went wrong. We had stone steps that fell apart due to poor irrigation and freezing water, but that's all been sorted out now. After getting some quotes and recommendations, we decided to go with a contractor who previously did a good job for a neighbor. We agreed on a price and paid half upfront for a project that involved removing the old steps and a flowerbed wall to replace them with concrete steps that have built-in LED lights, along with reinstalling our wrought iron railing.
However, the contractor didn't remove the railing, didn't fully break down the old structure—they just poured concrete over the existing surface. Now the steps are uneven, and the landing has a sloped edge that won't work with the railing. The contractor has acknowledged the mistakes but hasn't offered a fix in the last two weeks. I'm caught between letting them try to finish the job or holding back the remaining payment to hire someone else to fix their mess. What should I do?
2 Answers
I'd say definitely keep the lines of communication open with this contractor for now. They’ve done good work before, so it's reasonable to expect them to rectify this. But keep an eye on their timeframe. If they keep dragging their feet, you might end up needing to hire another contractor and hold back that payment.
It sounds like you're dealing with a bad situation, and I get why you’re upset! Definitely take some pictures next time; it helps get opinions from others. But in your case, you should give the contractor a chance to fix their mistake since they’ve agreed to it. If they fail to respond again, then you could consider not paying the rest. Just make sure everything is documented!
Totally agree! It’s better to give them a shot at fixing things before moving on to someone else. Just keep all your communication about this in writing so you have a record if things go south.
Yeah, just make sure they understand the urgency. If you do go for someone else later, having a clear paper trail will be essential for any disputes.