As far as your lawsuit : Does he have a license? Did you ask him to see his license? Does this job require a permit? I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's up to the homeowner to ask for licensing information and make sure the proper permit process is followed.
Hi Alan, thanks for your reply. He SAID he has a license, but now I'm doubting he does, however, I believe in the State of Texas (I live in Dallas), they don't HAVE to have one. He supposedly worked for a construction company called XXX Construction. Shortly after he did the work, he put himself on Angie's List (yes, I gave him an F and he is in their penalty box). He is XTZ Construction in Garland, TX. He "hired" a friend to help. I guess he "sub contracted" and that person suposedly does this type of work for a living and he TOLD me he was licensed too. I also gave him an F on Angie's List. He is ZYX Construction in Wylie, TX (for anyone that has an Angie's list and cares to read the entire ugly review).
Gee where do I start?
#1 He did not take the time to pick through the pile to find limber in better condition.
#2 There is no post cap.
#3 There is no post base.
#4 There is no footing below the post built into the slab to support it.
http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/AC-ACE-LPCZ-LCE.asp
http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/ABA-ABU-ABW.asp
Oh ya you got ripped off.
Post should never be in direct contact with the slab or there going to rot.
Hi Joecaption! Thanks for the links! I knew it should be connected to the concrete but didn't know about the top cap, however, I DID notice that he didn't connect the boards at the top and used several "shims" to fill a gap.
You said that this is supposed to be an enclosed patio?
You have not said where this is; Canada, New Mexico, etc?
BTW...your friend from high school for 20 years is an a-hole.
Andy.
Hi Andy! Thanks for the reply. It WAS enclosed, sorta. Yet one more person that ripped me off. My cousins husband built the enclosed patio. Didn't finish, didn't use the right material, etc... I got so frustrated with him I just told him to LEAVE. Few years later, storm came through and tore the whole side of the patio off. It was crap anyways so when the insurance company gave me money to fix it (and I had to pay the 1800 dollar deductible), I decided to just tear out the walls and put in posts and just leave it as a covered patio, not enclosed. You are also right. TOTAL A-HOLE. At least I have all the email correspondence where he told me NOT to work with contractors that were going to screw me over, that he would do the job and do it right. Yeah, learned my lesson. Don't even get me started on what he did to my fence. He had the NERVE to threaten ME when I said I was taking him to court.
While it's possible it is pressure treated, I really doubt it is.
And he didn't "forget" to fasten the bottom of posts, he obviously never planned to in the first place.
Find someone a little more trustworthy to fix that.
Also, you need to do something with those exposed roof rafter ends or they will rot away pretty quick.
Hi Wrongdave! Thanks for the reply. When I sent him the video he told me that he and the other guy "forgot" to attach to the concrete. He sent me a picture of some L bracket metal type thing and said they would come install those. I told him NO, you will take the post out and use the footing like you are supposed to. He agreed and then I never heard from him again (I have it all in emails). Also fighting with him about the fence. He didnt set the posts even and the panels wouldn't attach so he left out 26 of the bolts that hold the fence to the post. SIGH. He tried to say that wind probably blew them out. I'm blonde, but not that blonde!
As soon as I win the case and he pays me my money back, I'll hire someone after doing an extensive reference check. But until then, I can't fix the patio or fence. He took all my money, wouldn't give me an invoice (so I didn't get my depreciation check) and I'm at the mercy of the judge now. I contracted West Nile over the summer so I was fighting with him about it while on my death bed. Sad. I'm a single mom and I rescue mastiffs and he KNOWS all this. He knows how important the safety of my backyard is because of my dogs. Just sucks.
Very poor grade of material. It does look like treated, but still should not sit directly on the end grain. I cannot believe anyone would use such a low quality material for an exposed post, but I see it pretty often.
Hi Troubleseeker! Thanks for your reply. He told me since he wasn't doing cedar, he would get a high quality pine that would last a long time. He literally used 7 metal fence posts and material to connect them to the existing fence (1/2 a$$) and the four posts for the patio and he charged me 1200 for material. SIGH.
Some one saw an easy mark. Such ashame, spoils it for all of use that care about what we do.
Yes, unfortnately many contractors lately have seen me as an easy mark but I dont let them pull one over on me. I let my guard down with him cause I've known him forever. the one good thing for me is that he had someone here helping but I didn't know who until 3 days ago when the person told me that he tried to get him to fix it all right but he said it wasn't necessary. I have it all in writing so I'll be able to use that as evidence too.
I truly appreciate everyone's replies! I hate even going outside because it reminds me of a friend basically stealing $2000 dollars from me.
