New garage build with splintered soffit!!

[Grahamy]

Hi I’m building a garage and I’m going through a local company to build it. The foundation has been poured, the framing has been done and the roof, garage doors and electrical still needs to be done. I just noticed that one soffit board is splintereded on one side. I’m pretty upset but I don’t know if I’m over reacting. How big of a deal is this?

 

[Moto]

Construction deficiencies are not uncommon, so nothing to get upset over. Do get it fixed, though.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Give them a call, they should fix that.

 

[The Cobbler]

yes, and is it laying right or is it cocked? looks like it's on an angle, is it supposed to be?

 

[Grahamy]

Thank you for your responses! It is angled

 

[Grahamy]

I’m sorry it’s 90 degree angle

 

[readhead]

The corner trim isn't tight. The fascia joint at the corner is sloppy. It looks like #2 pine for the soffit that someone tried to hammer into place and it got hung up on the trim. I think I would be looking closely at the whole project. Is this a shed or prefab company?

 

[James-W]

It isn't super critical and needs to be done immediately, but it really needs to get replaced.

 

[larry4406]

Obviously no soffit vent....

 

[wrenchguy]

windbreak fracture not cut out at lumber mill, opened up when nailed.

 

[yeldogt]

That's to be expected with rough pine construction -- Almost every outbuilding I have ever done is 5/4 pine. Very common in the mid-atlantic. I'm sure they will fix w/o issue ....

dropping down the facia is also common -- it's the drip. You want it lower ...

 

[Grahamy]

I went with a company that only builds garages. There is other shotty work that I’m noticing. The owner just text me that he can touch up the board instead of replacing it!! How do you touch it up when it’s cracked all the way through. Wtf. Now he is refusing to replace it!!

 

[Grahamy]

If the contractor just glues it, will that pass inspection?

 

[readhead]

Remind him that he gets the check when you are satisfied.
Glued, sanded and painted is fine as long as it is in the right place.

 

[Toothaker]

It's called a "punch list" and your contractor will know what you mean when you say that.

You go around and make a note of all the deficiencies or issues. Then you present them to the contractor for him to resolve. The fact that there's a punch list doesn't prove he's a good or a bad contractor - you figure that out by how he responds to it.

 

[Showkey]

If the contractor just glues it, will that pass inspection?

Building and or code inspection ?.........think it passes as is........it’s a cosmetic workmanship issue not a structure problem.

It’s a $200-300 repair for the contractor by the time he sends someone over there, cuts out the new bad section, replaces it, paints it. He likely going to glue and power nail the spilt closed. On e garage bulbs they try not to send extra material.......guys on the site have to use what they sent........and the boss does not want the call “we need three new boards”.

 

[Grahamy]

I'm having a courtesy inspector come out tomorrow. I just found out that my contractor hasn't had the foundation inspected either. I will mention to him the punch list and I can already add other things to it. He is already not reacting well. I have been nothing but calm and cordial and he is is telling me flat out that I'm over reacting, too demanding and unrealistic about the board and he says I should just paint over it (which it's too cold to do now) and then decide if he should install another sofitt piece. He says the job was done right. He doesn't care about customer service even though I'm spending over 25,000$$$

 

[Grahamy]

I get that they have to work with what they get, but if they created that split when they installed then they should replace it. There is a Home Depot 2 min from my house. I would have gone for them

 

[The Cobbler]

start documenting your conversations with him. date, time & what was said .
tell him that that is his opinion on you overreacting, you don't think you are.
if the foundation wasn't inspected, there may be a stop work order placed on it.
I hope you havn't paid in full

 

[Falcon67]

Your money - don't be afraid to complain.

 

[Kevin54]

Why in the hell did he use a 2x? for a soffit? I've never seen that before.

You have two choices.....live with it, or make him replace it. Which he most likely won't because it's too much damn trouble. The fascia is nailed to it, and the fascia is also under the roofs drip edge. He'll fight you until hell freezes over to not replace it.

Best bet...either live with it or suggest a compromise. Have him get a reciprocating saw or one of the vibrating blade saws. Cut back to the next rafter and remove the 2' section. Then use a Kregs screw system to screw the two sections together, along with some predrilled holes in the end. You'll be satisfied, and he'll have to work his *** off to make it right. Not a bad fix, but you still have the upper hand.

 

[Grahamy]

Ya you're right, it is my money! Thankfully I haven't paid in full just 1/4th and I won't until this is resolved. He said he is going to swing by and take a look at it. I live in the Colorado and the weather changes quickly and drastically and I don't think a band aid over it will work. This could get ugly.

 

[readhead]

My I ask where in Colorado. I am in the lower left corner.

 

[larry4406]

When it comes time to payment tell him that you will retain 20% retainage. This money will be released upon completion of all punchlist work and attainment of all required inspections.

At worst you inherent the problems but with a 20% discount.

Not sure what your contract says but it’s good your not upside down at present.

I agree I’ve never seen a 2x used for soffit.

 

[Grahamy]

I live in north Denver. He is not even offering to even glue it back together because he said that it was done right. Because he is being such a jerk by talking down to me, instead of being ok with him patching it I think I’ll demand him replace it.

 

[rburke65]

Oh ya....id have them replace that for sure.

 

[Grahamy]

I live in north Denver. He is not even offering to even glue it back together because he said that it was done right. Because he is being such a jerk by talking down to me, instead of being ok with him patching it I think I’ll demand him replace it.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Grahamy,
I'm only addressing the soffit repair in the picture here and not any other issues you may have. In the time it took everybody to type up the 27 posts here, I could have had that board replaced (not including stain/paint). It is not a big deal, not nailed to fascia,just to underside of rafter tails. A section could be cut out next to a rafter, a nailer attached and new piece installed, but he should replace the whole piece really.
I can understand why your upset. As a builder I would not have called the job done.
As a customer(which I never would be because I do all myself) I'd repair it and deduct $$ off his bill. To me that"s easier than chasing after idiots. It should not get ugly over this small repair, I would refer to it as "minor, not a big deal but needs to get done" when speaking to the builder. You've got the money!

Good Luck Man

 

[James-W]

I live in north Denver. He is not even offering to even glue it back together because he said that it was done right. Because he is being such a jerk by talking down to me, instead of being ok with him patching it I think I’ll demand him replace it.

It sounds like it could get ugly, but it really shouldn't. The builder should do what is right and take care of this issue. If I were a builder the last thing I would want is for a dis-satisfied customer to be telling people my company does shoddy work and we won't fix things that are screwed up. But . . . . . apparently this builder doesn't care.

 

[BillK]

I am really surprised that quite a few guys answering seem to think that it is not a problem or gluing it up and slapping some paint over it would be ok ????????? It is crappy workmanship and it is not ok. The board needs to be replaced. I would really have to wonder about a builder who thinks it is acceptable.

Letting things like this go is what has made craftsmanship go down the tubes in our country.

 

[readhead]

It's a small chunk that I think could be driven back into place, filled, sanded and touched up. Considering the lack of talent displayed so far, replacing it could make a bigger mess.

 

[LB-1911]

^

Yesterday, 12:07 PM

I'm having a courtesy inspector come out tomorrow.

I just found out that my contractor hasn't had the foundation inspected either.

I will mention to him the punch list and I can already add other things to it.

He is already not reacting well. I have been nothing but calm and cordial and he is is telling me flat out that I'm over reacting, too demanding and unrealistic about the board and he says I should just paint over it (which it's too cold to do now) and then decide if he should install another sofitt piece. He says the job was done right. He doesn't care about customer service even though I'm spending over 25,000$$$

Hang in there - I'd be surprised if your Contractor isn't already known by the Bldg Dept.

 

[CombatNinja]

Tell him that he can "touch up" your busted soffit, no problem. Then simply state that his check will also be "touched up". He will get the message.

 

[Sparkynutz]

talk about opposite end of the spectrum from a youtube channel I frequently watch. (rural renovators) or re builders whichever you prefer. That guy takes it on himself to redo anything that isn't so much as visually appealing. He just recently took house wrap off and installed a bunch of extra boards just to make the lean to part of the shed he was working on screws line up with screw line of shed next to it. Gotta find more guys like that, not some arguing contractor who doesnt care how cracked a board is. Its cracked, plain and simple and it was just installed. I'm sure they noticed that and who knows what else but would rather be lazy and defensive. hopefully they won't be in business much longer trying to pull **** like that.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[climb.on]

Be as nice as possible. You still have nearly all his money and therby all his attention too. Even if he threatens a lien, just calmly ask for it to be replaced until he does it. Or agree on a reduction in the amount you are paying him. When you finally do pay him GET A SIGNED LIEN WAIVER at the exact same time you give him the check. Not emailed or mailed. You have ALL the leverage here. Be cool.

 

[850xpeps]

Using what your delivered is not an excuse for putting up an ugly board. The workers should have called and said we need material simple. If I run into bad material I will not install it even if it costs me time and money. Simple. It reflects on me as a person and contractor in the end. If I wouldn’t do it on my own house I won’t do it to yours unless you straight out tell me you want it done this way. I’ll make you aware of my reasons against it but it ultimitly the owners decision on what they find acceptable.