Forum

The Brownstoner Forum is for the site's users to ask and answer questions of local concern. You must be registered member to post, please refrain from self-promotional postings.

what do you do when your contractor messes up twice?

12:15 PM 01/31/2013

 

jasonmones

Ditmas Park, NY

 I recently had an extension put on my garage. Within a week after it was finished, the roof leaked. I gave the contractor the benefit of the doubt to fix it and they did and without haste. Everything seemed to be ok. But today I discovered the leak is back and now it's worse! I went up on the roof to look at the job from the outside and could see exposed plywood under where the new extension met the older, exterior wall: a poor roofing job on both accounts. Even an amateur like myself knows proper flashing and taring procedures. 
We agreed after discussing the matter that a seperate company should be hired to fix the problem. He said he would find another company. I reluctantly agreed, but said I wanted to research the name to make sure they are competent. Now, I'm wondering if I should take legal steps. I have documentation for both leaks, but I'm hesitant to both drag his company's name in the mud and start a long process in small claims court. Does anyone here have advice as to whether I'm taking the appropriate steps for this and still not getting screwed. I've never hired a contractor before. 
 

 

 

Roofers
Construction
General Contractors
7 answers
Sort By :

  • vote

    slopefarm

    Brooklyn, NY

    This doesn't sound like a big job. You should focus on getting hte job done right and minimizing losses to the extent possible. You should find someone to do the work -- he's got no incentive to get this done right for you. You want the new person to be accountable only to you. Ask on here for references if you need them. Go over the scope of work, get a written estimate, then ask/demand your old contractor to pay the amount of the new contract to fix the faulty work. He won't but maybe he'll throw a few hundred your way to avoid small claims. If he won't pay a dime, small claims won't really cost you and no need to worry about dragging his name through the mud, so no reason not to bring the claim if you care about the money enough to warrant spending the time. Disputes like these are a dime a dozen so it's not like your case will end up on the local news.

    12:47 PM 01/31/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    jasonmones

    Ditmas Park, NY

    Thanks for your opinion. It wasn't a huge job, but still it was costly. I will take this into consideration. 
     

    1:14 PM 01/31/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    daveinbedstuy

    Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

    Ummmm, if he doesn't fix it properly, you certainly should drag his name through the mud and post here so that others don't have the same experience.

    2:52 PM 01/31/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    daveinbedstuy

    Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

    Plus, as you describe the problem it seems like a simple issue of replacing the flashing, not a big jib but it's the part of the job that rreally needs to be done right.

    2:53 PM 01/31/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    bond

    Carroll Gardens, NY

    I can see why you would be annoyed and concerned. You hire a company, you want it done right the first time.  My concern is tht I'm not sure what court would accomplish in this case as he is agreeing on another company to make it right, which sounds like something that the courts would see as very reasonable. My opinion is let them hire another company and see what happens. I guess the down side would be that they could then try to shift the blame to the new company saying "Hey, it's their fault, not ours".   Even if that happens though, you still have the option of small claims court, so you'd be no worse off than you are now.

    2:54 PM 02/01/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    jasonmones

    Ditmas Park, NY

    Great news! I asked for a seperate company to be hired and the contractor is paying for the fix. Everything worked out just fine. He took the responsible route to make things right. Thanks everyone for your posts. 

    5:58 PM 02/01/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    getroofingquotes

    NY

    It is a shame for the one who did that and also it will give a bad image to the company. But, taking a legal steps would takes time so you better just find another contractor who are really competent enough to do the job for you.

    2:34 AM 02/03/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

Answer