New garage - very dissapointed!!!

[skamp]

Very happy you got this resolved!

Steve

 

[Mike007]

I'm glad to see you resolved this. I'm shocked the builder stood by his screw up and fixed this without legal action. I know they screwed up your job, but they deserve some credit for owning it. It's almost unheard of.

 

[volleyball]

I don't think they owned it until legal action was called in. It would have been done a long time ago if the builder owned it.

 

[Notgrownup]

Nice, nice....glad you are at a good point..l

 

[davo727]

Did they do any jacking of the structure to level and vertical?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Glad everything turned out well in the end.

Chris

 

[ford33]

It is a nice looking garage. I learned some new information from your experience.

 

[BBChevro]

Great progress Tempest, a very good result - although you may have to change the title of thread now to something like "New garage - very pleased".

[While you're at it, you may have to change your screen name to "Road Runner 383" - I was expecting to see a Pontiac in there. ]

I love the setting and the orientation of the new garage to the house (I think that I might have mentioned that earlier in the thread) and the garage is looking great, AND it has a very nice Plymouth sitting in it - what more could you ask for.

 

[jon72vega]

I'm glad you got your problems resolved.

Nice Road Runner.
Back in the day I had a '68.

 

[cptn_zippy]

So, is the structure tied to the new wall? Was the idea just to contain the poorly built foundation and hold it together?

J

 

[Tdoriot]

Why in the world do people still use CMU blocks for foundations? Form it, use a rebar grid as per engineering and pour it from 3000PSI concrete. I've poured a 100,000 yards of concrete foundations with walls as high as 16' with ZERO failures! I think some geographical areas step over a dollar to pick up a dime!

 

[metalhead212121]

I have to ask...

After all this.. how much money PHYSICALLY came out of your pocket at the end of the day to make it right.

 

[boobag]

Why in the world do people still use CMU blocks for foundations? Form it, use a rebar grid as per engineering and pour it from 3000PSI concrete. I've poured a 100,000 yards of concrete foundations with walls as high as 16' with ZERO failures! I think some geographical areas step over a dollar to pick up a dime!

as a builder, i totally agree. i could never use blocks. its just asking for problems.

 

[CTyankee]

Looking good...

What size block was used to contain the original existing one? How did they address the ledge that was created by the new wall extending proud of the siding?

 

[stage20]

as a builder, i totally agree. i could never use blocks. its just asking for problems.

I've been around contruction all my life nd never seen a residential wall poured out of concrete. Even when lowes was built here on a cliff, they used block.

 

[Tempest 455]

Repsonse to a few questions and some comments. I'm not sure if some did not read the entire thread. I asked for people to please refrain from, "should have done this, should have done that". It's done and I'm moving forward.

*I also have a Pontiac, hence the Tempest455 sig.

*The RR is a 90% survivor. One repaint, otherwise a 100% unmolested original car. Int, drive train etc. It's also an A14 car, which is approx 6% of RR made.

*The vertical was only out 1/4-1/2". So no jacking was done.

*I have no idea if the builder visits this site, so therefore don't want to comment on my out of pocket expense. It was not nearly as much as I could have spent. I should not have needed to spend anything at all on legal.

*Yes the new block is on footers and up against the old wall. So the wall is filled and twice as thick. It's not going anywhere. I felt very comfortable with the 3rd party engineer that resolved this situation.

*There is a cap that goes on top of the block. It's laid at angle so the rain runs off. I have not taken a recent picture.

 

[Beemer533]

Glad to hear that things have finally been resolved to your satisfaction... It has got to be a very good feeling to have all that behind you!

This post edited by the NSA

 

[NUTTSGT]

It looks good and glad to hear that the problem is resolved. If you're happy, I'm happy for you.

I would like to see more pics, especially where the new wall is capped.

 

[mooseracing]

I've been around contruction all my life nd never seen a residential wall poured out of concrete. Even when lowes was built here on a cliff, they used block.

Might be an area thing. All new construction is almost always poured around here, or even the newer prefab poured walls.

 

[Mike007]

I don't think they owned it until legal action was called in. It would have been done a long time ago if the builder owned it.

As soon as there is even the mention of a lawsuit or attorney, the resolution is on a different path. Around these parts, it's pretty much a complete waste of time to try and sue a contractor. It's one thing to win a judgment, another to collect. In fact, I've never heard of anyone actually collecting. I still believe based on the fact they made the customer whole, it was never there intention to walk away. They could easily do so and start a new business tomorrow with the same people and equipment and a slightly different name and be in the clear. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.

I'm calling it as per my experience and the limited information posted here. Maybe it will look different if the OP is eventually able to post more details.

 

[Mike007]

In fact, I've never heard of anyone actually collecting. I still believe based on the fact they made the customer whole, it was never there intention to walk away.

Now that I think about it, I don't recall a contractor ever willingly fixing a big job they screwed up. Pretty sad.

 

[Tempest 455]

The legal card was a paramount factor in this. The owner stood in front of me and went on and on how he was in it for the long haul and wanted to make it right because of their reputation. However, that was not until I sought legal assistance, made him aware of it and demanded a structural engineer, multiple times. I could write a book about all the things he should have done (but again where does that get me and I'm trying to keep it positive).

At the end of the day, he did what he "had" to per the engineers recommendations for fear of legal action. I had a lengthy list of what I "expected" as resolution and they did nothing more than what was required.

Again, happy to move forward but had I not sought assistance from an attorney and engineers, I would be screwed, their reputation or not.

 

[Gingrbredman]

Repsonse to a few questions and some comments. I'm not sure if some did not read the entire thread. I asked for people to please refrain from, "should have done this, should have done that". It's done and I'm moving forward..

You know what you should have done is ..... J/K, I won't pretend to understand what you went through to get your garage to where it is now. Everyone (including yourself) can second guess every step of the way, but in the end, you have your garage you can park your stuff in, mess around with, and that's what your goal was in the beginning. Happy to see some finished pics of the project.

 

[Zrexxer]

Yeah, take a deep breath, work on moving forward, and gradually all the stress and trouble will become a faded memory. Enjoy your beautiful new garage and have a Merry Christmas!

 

[rburke65]

I can't even imagine me haing to go through all of this. It's only by the grace of God that my build went well. We all think we are doing right.....choosing the best guy.....materials, etc., but it's mostly luck that there areas many a good builds thatthereare. I'm happy for ya Tempest......enjoy it....finally.

 

[MattVette89]

Wow, that was quite an ordeal! Glad you got it resolved and lots of good info in this thread.

 

[Nighttrain]

Glad this worked out for you in the end. I'm sure the builder learned from this and will get a compactor for Christmas. My only thought at your first picture of the second wall was there should be a cap on it to shed the rain water. And you answered that in a post. Enjoy your now fortified shop.

 

[MacTexas]

Glad everything worked out to your satisfaction. I learned a lot from this thread. Hope to see more pictures as you build out the inside.

 

[andersen24]

Hey Tempest - congrats on getting it resolved - never the way any of us wants it to happen, but your last pic looks awesome.....hopefully you can put the build behind you and start to enjoy your new space!

 

[Rory Bellows]

Tempest you need to go out to your newly refreshed garage and have some beer or liquor. Your preference. Then think of all the future projects and plans you have for your new space. Enjoy it.

 

[ishiboo]

Why in the world do people still use CMU blocks for foundations? Form it, use a rebar grid as per engineering and pour it from 3000PSI concrete. I've poured a 100,000 yards of concrete foundations with walls as high as 16' with ZERO failures! I think some geographical areas step over a dollar to pick up a dime!

Not sure about the costs and pros/cons, but when done correctly there seem to be very few failures.

We had major floods around here a few years ago, I was at my moms with pumps/generator/etc. and the neighbors block foundation caved in due to the water pressure. One more house down the street (also block) caved in as well. A "once in 100 years" flood, but I was still surprised by foundation failures.

OP... glad things are resolved and you can use your garage!

 

[Tempest 455]

Tempest you need to go out to your newly refreshed garage and have some beer or liquor. Your preference. Then think of all the future projects and plans you have for your new space. Enjoy it.

Yes TY. Have done that many times and many more I'm sure!

When I get the floor done, I plan on taking an old Coldspot fridge my Dad bought in '55 (that still works) out there to take apart and restore it.

 

[kd3pc]

IN the end you have a beautiful home for a stout 68 road runner.

Now it is time to enjoy your garage.

Best of luck and happy holidays

 

[acer66]

Wow, I just read thru the whole thread, congrats to the OP for bringing this to a good end.

 

[Xicaque]

Looks good. Merry Xmas!

 

[ms fowler]

Nice to see a creative solution to the problem. You had the services of a very good engineer. He/she came up with a cost-effective solution that gives you the building life you wanted, and did not unduly penalize the builder. That the builder now uses the engineer is another indication that the engineer's solution was effective, and efficient. (Anyone can design a repair with an unlimited budget. Its takes a good engineer to find an economical AND permanent solution.)

 

[Tempest 455]

IN the end you have a beautiful home for a stout 68 road runner.

Now it is time to enjoy your garage.

Best of luck and happy holidays

Thank you. I have to point out it's a '69. I like the grills and tail lights on the 9 much better.

Nice to see a creative solution to the problem. You had the services of a very good engineer. He/she came up with a cost-effective solution that gives you the building life you wanted, and did not unduly penalize the builder. That the builder now uses the engineer is another indication that the engineer's solution was effective, and efficient. (Anyone can design a repair with an unlimited budget. Its takes a good engineer to find an economical AND permanent solution.)

I have to compliment you on your awesome response. I was very pleased with the engineer but had not thought of the things in your response. You made an excellent point and I appreciate your comments on this.

Merry Christmas!

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

Tempest,
I was hoping for a good outcome. I just started reading this thread this morning and have been distracting myself with it on/off all morning. My wife's Mom passed away just hours ago and it provided an outlet to briefly escape the sadness.
Your optimism and patience paid off and I really think this was best case scenario with what you were up against.

 

[Xicaque]

Sorry for your loss SlowPoke.

 

[B&H]

Wow what a mess. Glad it got resolved. Maybe I missed it, but did you pour the slab over poly? I thought epoxy coatings used on concrete w/o a barrier was a no-no?