Is it common for contractors to create issues intentionally to secure more work? I recently had my bathroom floor tiled over an old wood floor in a 100-year-old house. They failed to use an uncoupling membrane and just applied durock concrete boards directly over the wood. Now, weeks later, my tile is cracking, and they've convinced me there's a foundation problem, leading to a $1500 charge for beams under my house. A neighbor, who also hired them for a similar job, faced the same issues and ended up paying $8000 for the same foundation 'repair.' I'm starting to wonder if this is some kind of scheme. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
3 Answers
It sounds like a frustrating situation! Before jumping to conclusions, try having a straightforward chat with them. Sometimes contractors stick to older methods without realizing they aren't ideal. It's concerning that they didn’t suggest a better subfloor option, especially for an old house. Also, you might want to see if other contractors have run into similar issues with them.
It seems like your contractors just didn't consider the structural issues before starting your project. For older homes, the advisability of using uncoupling membranes can depend on how much the floor can flex. It should have been a red flag for them to recommend a proper foundation check first rather than just going ahead with the tile installation.
Often, contractors may not be up to date with the best practices. It's not necessarily a shady scheme; they might just be working with what they know. But they should have suggested getting your subfloor and joists assessed during the job estimate to avoid the current mess. Just remember, it's common to face challenges with aging homes, so finding a contractor who has dealt with similar problems can help.
Yeah, that makes sense. It’s just frustrating to feel like I’m stuck between costs and repairs. Thanks for the insight!
I feel you on the legal stuff; I'm in the process of taking action against them for not completing my bathroom too. It's making me wonder how trustworthy they really are. Good luck with your case!