I recently hired a contractor for a major project costing $16,400, where he was supposed to raise cinderblock walls and install two gates on either side of my house. Although the walls are completed, the contractor informed me he cannot install one of the gates due to a misjudgment about the wall's support. Now, while he is working on the second gate, it is already pulling the new wall away from the house, which is concerning. I've researched this and found out that the wall might not have been installed correctly, likely due to not sinking the pole deep enough in the cement. I'm holding back about $2,700 in payment until the project and my issues are resolved. I want him to finish the gate, but I'm worried that the current work is sub-par. I need advice on how to confront him about the gate issues and whether the warranty could cover any flawed work. Also, can anyone tell from the photos whether rebar was used in the wall installation, and would that matter?
2 Answers
I get where you're coming from! The issue might be more complex than just the contractor being incompetent. If the house settled over time, that could affect how the new wall sits. But if there’s a visible gap forming now, it’s definitely something to address. As for the rebar, it’s crucial for stability, and without it, the wall might not perform as it should. You should clarify this with your contractor or get a second opinion from another pro before it gets worse!
First off, I hope you've got that contract locked down! From what you've described, it sounds like you're dealing with a contractor who isn't meeting expectations. You really have two paths: you can either let him finish (which might be risky) or cut your losses and get someone else to fix his mistakes. Remember, you shouldn't pay more than 50% upfront in the future! Don't count on him for any warranty work if his current installation is suspect.
That’s solid advice! It’s tough, but sometimes you need to be a bit harsh to protect your investment.
Exactly! Make sure you're not left holding the bag on a bad installation.