I am working with a customer in Coranado, Ca. finishing his front doors and gates while getting my certifications completed. I just need 5 more to be certified but that is not the issue. I feel so bad for this customer who is just a super nice guy along with his wife. They are getting their house ready for sale and took a contractors recommendation for a flooring guy to come in and sand the finish of his floors and apply a new dark walnut finish. No exageration, I never thought someone could screw up floors as bad as this. Along with belt sander paths that start at opening of a room and travel in a curved path to the wall, corners of hallway, bedrooms, kickspace under cabinets that received no stain, dark streaks of excess stain that was wiped and left to dry. Then they put a polyurethane finish over the top to seal in its ugliness. The owner was beside himself and the flooring contractor said there is nothing he can do, recommended he place his furniture over the bad spots. I am not exagerating a bit, it looks as I explained and he really did say that to the owner. He charged the owner $5,500. in which he managed to get the owner to pay for all of it except $600 prior to finishing. He also told the owner he will come back and put up the base and not to worry about the $600, just call it even. He completely ruined 1200 sqft of premium hardwood flooring in a million-seven house that supposed to be on the market today. I recommended to the owner to find a reputable flooring company come look at it to evaluate. He got three and all three said in all their years they thought they seen it all until now. How does an owner get compensated for something that could cost 20 to 30k when the contractor is only bonded for $12,500. It really gets under my skin when I work so hard for perfection for what seems never is enough money to have this yo yo make $5k in a week for completely ruining a floor and not care. I told the owner I would see what i could find out for getting compensated. Love to hear your suggestions.
Suggest suing the contractor
yes I agree but for how much do you think you will get if he is bonded for $12,500 and the amount this mistake could end up running could be $30k. Apparently all the owners defenses went down just because he was highly recommended from a good contractor he liked. Could of happened to any of us when you think about it. We tend to put a lot of trust into people we like and respect and then you get a smooth talking idiot who makes it sound routine. The contractor who recommended him I hear apologized. Curious on how a $30k apology would sound like? I think this is a very good lesson for all inspectors, contractors, careful on who you recommend for anything or rather how you recommend them should a customer ask.
As a retired Code Compliance Inspector and former “Senior Claims Inspector” I have conducted thousands of inspections for; State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Prudential, and several other insurance companies.
I have seen the same scenario many, many times. I have seen so many “butchered” wood floors that I have lost count.
I am a recognized “Expert Witness” in the judicial systems of; Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
I have testified in over 120; arbitration hearings, depositions, and trials. I have never, and I repeat never lost a case! Why? Because I deal with the “facts” and do not let emotion get in the way. If you are right …I will not only tell you so I will prove it! If you are wrong… I will let you know in no uncertain terms.
The last time I went to trial was over a $1,200.00 wood floor. My client was awarded $83,000.00!
Although this subcontractor was “bonded” for $12,500.00 that does not mean that if the homeowner decides to file a lawsuit that he is limited to that amount.
Also… The homeowner is not limited/restricted and who he can or cannot file a lawsuit against. I would sue both the general contractor and… HIS subcontractor!
Good luck!
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