Sub-contractor issue

[Red05GT]

Why would the GC fix the problem? Unless there are other mitigating circumstances that
make the plumber think that the GC has culpability here. I.E. the GC was suppose to dump the water after the test was off. The GC's directions to the plumber such as we will
be careful backfilling around your pipes. We won't run over your pipes with the skid steer.
Each guy has his version of the story and then there's the true story. Good luck going
forward.

 

[Hdtheater]

I could Monday-morning quarterback this all day. GC says it's the plumbers fault and plumber says it's the slab guy's fault. GC has to play referee. All three **** at people skills. I think the GC and the slab guy have tried to be reasonable. As long as the leak is fixed and the lien issue is resolved by the GC, I don't care.

-Eric

 

[Bob C]

Hdtheater, you have a lot more patience than I do. Personally, I would have tossed all their asses by now and filed a suit against the whole bunch!

 

[AP514]

The GC will bring in another guy and BACK Charge the old one for the work to do the repair.

I would never pay 70% up front.
When I did my house I paid 20-30% up front. Then another 30% after work was mostly done. Then 40% after Final clean-up ..If not most contractors will not come back and do final touch-ups for only 10-20%. They got the money and say screw you on rework/touch-up if only 10% or so held back.

 

[Norcal]

In CA it is illegal to ask for or accept a down payment of more than 10 percent of the total home improvement contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.

While it can be a PITA to contractors who do things right, it does offer some protection to consumers.

 

[C96]

They ran a camera down the pipe and there is no break. What most likely happened us that the pipes were still full of water when we had a freeze and and the joint popped. -Eric

If the backfill and compaction was properly done around the piping, the joint would have not been able to just pop open as such. The separation of the joint most likely would have occurred during backfill / compaction and placement of the concrete.

When they ran the camera there was no evidence of cracks or breaks in the line. That is why the opinion is that it was a bad joint.

Bad joint would have showed in the pressure test.

The plumber's view is that he is done. He can't get through final inspection because the GC hasn't fixed the leak.

You guys are making it sound like the plumber is the **** here. Think about it, the plumber completed all his underground piping, passed inspection for materials used, passed inspection for the execution of his work and passed inspection for the integrity of the completed system by way of the required pressure test.

In my view, the plumber is done. The minute it passed inspection / pressure test he is no longer responsible for the piping and has completed his contractual agreement. The piping system now becomes the property owners. Anything that happens to it after that point is on the owner, but since the owner has a contract with the GC it ultimately falls back upon him to make good.

The GC needs to just ****-it-up and get it done. This incident happened on his watch, his job, therefore his responsibility.

 

[Hdtheater]

Just to be sure I am clear on the timeline of events:

2/26 - rough plumbing complete and inspection passed.
3/3 - freeze hit and water in pipes froze. While I don't have a pic, the water had pushed out of the pipe and dripped down like icicles on the sides.
3/4 - fill dirt began to arrive and work on the foundation began.

fast forward to 4/7 - plumber arrived on site to complete rough plumbing (attach to main line) and top off. Issue reported.

The opinion has largely been putting the issue on the plumbers shoulders. However, I am open to hearing all sides of the argument. That way I am prepared for whatever comes my way.

The GC owns the project and is overall responsible for all his subs.

FYI... New plumber came by today and sized up the job and will begin work tomorrow.

-Eric

 

[Red05GT]

Fill dirt inside of foundation? Who placed fill inside of foundation, GC or his excavating
contractor?

 

[Hdtheater]

All subs here. The GC is just managing the project. I don't think he even has a crew. It was the crew that poured the foundation that had the dirt delivered and worked it to get ready for pouring the slab.