ᐅ Poor workmanship on the interior staircase, or is this something I just have to accept?
Created on: 6 Jan 2024 11:18
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Berlinho2
Hello dear forum,
I am at the final stage of my construction project with a general contractor.
Yesterday, my interior staircase was installed, and I was really shocked by the quality, appearance, and the staircase builder’s decision to install everything exactly like this.
I want to set aside the “Frankenstein” look for now, since the staircase builder says we approved it this way, but I believe that nowhere in the world would anyone “voluntarily” approve something like this.
What really bothers me right now is this unbelievably ugly railing structure on the ground floor with posts of different sizes and this unnecessary grated dust barrier between the stair stringer and the railing itself. I have never seen anything like this and never expected that with a new build, despite detailed measurements and enough planning and preparation time by the staircase builder/carpenter, such an on-site improvisation would have to be accepted in the end.
Is this already poor workmanship, or is this something one has to accept?
No payment has been made yet, as a retention is in place and the general contractor is still owed significantly more money overall than the value of the services delivered.
Thank you very much for your assessments.
I am at the final stage of my construction project with a general contractor.
Yesterday, my interior staircase was installed, and I was really shocked by the quality, appearance, and the staircase builder’s decision to install everything exactly like this.
I want to set aside the “Frankenstein” look for now, since the staircase builder says we approved it this way, but I believe that nowhere in the world would anyone “voluntarily” approve something like this.
What really bothers me right now is this unbelievably ugly railing structure on the ground floor with posts of different sizes and this unnecessary grated dust barrier between the stair stringer and the railing itself. I have never seen anything like this and never expected that with a new build, despite detailed measurements and enough planning and preparation time by the staircase builder/carpenter, such an on-site improvisation would have to be accepted in the end.
Is this already poor workmanship, or is this something one has to accept?
No payment has been made yet, as a retention is in place and the general contractor is still owed significantly more money overall than the value of the services delivered.
Thank you very much for your assessments.
X
xMisterDx10 Jan 2024 12:05Without this guarantee, most general contractors won’t give you a contract. It’s not really fair either—both sides can and should ask for security guarantees 😉
But with that leverage mostly gone, except for a few cosmetic adjustments, the staircase will remain as it is. After all, there is no proof that anything specifically different was agreed on in detail with the staircase builder.
But with that leverage mostly gone, except for a few cosmetic adjustments, the staircase will remain as it is. After all, there is no proof that anything specifically different was agreed on in detail with the staircase builder.
Well, by now I could imagine that general contractors might be willing to make some concessions. The market has shifted somewhat. Also, warranties like that can be adjusted. In that case, the absence of defects would have to be confirmed beforehand by an independent expert or something similar.
But three years ago, sure, you’re right, you had to take whatever you could get.
Actually, my statement was nonsense anyway, because I wouldn’t work with a general contractor / main contractor anymore. At most with the one from @kati1337, but they are quitting now and are located on the other side of the country anyway.
But three years ago, sure, you’re right, you had to take whatever you could get.
Actually, my statement was nonsense anyway, because I wouldn’t work with a general contractor / main contractor anymore. At most with the one from @kati1337, but they are quitting now and are located on the other side of the country anyway.
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Gerddieter11 Jan 2024 00:22What about the staircase now – are you going to take it just because it was ordered, or not?
No inspection report is a free pass for the contractor to deliver whatever they see fit.
The general contractor’s standard could be an argument, but I don’t think “beech in Frankenstein style” is written anywhere...
This means that both parties protect themselves with the report, and if there isn’t one, the contractor will also face problems proving their case...
No inspection report is a free pass for the contractor to deliver whatever they see fit.
The general contractor’s standard could be an argument, but I don’t think “beech in Frankenstein style” is written anywhere...
This means that both parties protect themselves with the report, and if there isn’t one, the contractor will also face problems proving their case...
Tolentino schrieb:
My statement was actually nonsense because I wouldn’t work with a general contractor (GC) or main contractor any longer anyway.
At most, with the one from @kati1337, but they are stopping now and are also on the other side of the country. After the highlight, I went through this thread again and am once again endlessly grateful that we were so lucky.
Also simply because we are one of their last houses.
We didn’t approve a detailed execution plan for the staircase either (unlike with the first house). But we did discuss the framework conditions – with our GC, usually a verbal agreement with them or direct chats with the subcontractor was enough – and we are very satisfied with the result.
We gave the GC a nice bottle of Craigellachie for Christmas. =)
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