Need advise. Contractor screwed up my floor!

[WV Firefighter]

Just finishing up my garage/patio project. (Waiting until the end to do a write up) Contractor had removed most of his tools and I wanted to clean the place up a little. Well I was hosing down the floor and I noticed the water going the wrong direction. Instead of going to the floor drain, it heads straight for the garage door.

The contractor wants to rent a concrete planer and polisher to try to make it drain correctly. I am spending a lot on this project and I want everything to be right. My thought is to make him take out the floor and do it over but if he can make it right with the planer/polisher I think I should give him the chance.

Does anybody have experience with this? If he can't make it right his way and refuses to replace the floor, do you think I can win in court?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Andy

 

[KPSquared]

Did you have a contract that specifically outlined the job and exactly what he was going to provide?

If you did, then you have a good shot. If not, I would still fight to the bitter end. Nothing pisses me off more than a contractor screwing up and not fixing it.

 

[Edger]

I think planing and polishing will be very tough going with a small result and a bad finish.
It is very difficult to remove enough concrete to create a fall with a planer. Then when you have a profile it is very difficult to grind the surface smooth because of the dips when the grinder only wants to grind flat.

 

[ConCretin]

There is no way to completely restore the slab to perfect condition. Grinding might correct the pitch but will change the appearance of the slab. If the drainage problem is a bigger problem for you, give could him a chance to correct the pitch of the floor.

You can tell him you want the floor replaced but that doesn't mean it will happen. You didn't say how much money you still owe him but this pretty much determines the extent of your leverage. If it's cheaper for him to walk, he might just do it. You can take him to court but that's unlikely to provide a net benefit.

 

[dcs Inc]

Ha... have him replace it. Don't screw with a half assed "patch". I've replaced a couple in my life span as an installer but never let it get to the owner to decide. (Maybe that's why I never made a fortune at installing concrete).

The guy knows he screwed up. He's just figuring out his best route money wise to correct it. I do a lot of regrades for this type of situation with our overlay product. It's expensive because of the time consuming grading with an accurate electronic leveling system. I'm not trying to throw the guy under the bridge but if you paid for a finished slab that drains correctly, then get it. My 2 cents.

 

[WV Firefighter]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your input. I think I might tell him that he can try the grinding/planing idea if he wants but if it doesn't satisfy me, then he is going to have to replace it. We'll see how it goes from there.

Andy