i have a question for a builder or knowledgable person in construction residential please reply!?

Question

I'm a masonry company starting off and i did a big job back in jan a two story brick house aprox 30000 bricks the job completed in few weeks i was paid and complimented the builder person who hired me was very satisfied with our work.In january when we was doing job the builder had us cover windows with plastic for protection even tho we are neat.Reasently 1 week ago the builder called me asking our guys to put an extra colum in back of same house we did back in january we seen he still had not removed the plastic from windows,which is bad heat x3 said he was adding colum and then cleaning bricks and it be ready to sell.So one week goes by and he said he cleaned bricks and took off plastic and noticed two windows broke and other windows was buckling he called us and said he thinks that after 5 mos that our bricklaying wasnt correct&ourfault heat caused bricks to swell and push on windows and he wants us redo all bricks around windows w me buying bricks& do free labor what do you think

Answer 1

If you think that this is a good job contact and that you will be doing a lot of business with him in the future, I would do it, or at least compromise, asking him to pay some or all of the bricks.

Answer 2

Well the bad thing is you most likely did not get a sign off on the job. Even though it doesnt sound as if it is your fault if he took it to the next level you would have to fix it. I have been in the construction industry for a long time and at first had the same type of things happen. Always make sure you get everything in writting, get lien releases from everyone and just cya. I would ask him to split it are at least buy the materials so you will only be out labor. Also remember one person can cause you to lose a hundred once they tell their freinds who tell their freinds

Answer 3

After five months? I'd tell him to take a walk. First, he has to prove that your bricks did the damage. They may have, I'm not saying they didn't but, can he prove this or, is he just saying this to get someone to fix it free. I've been through this with people. They try to screw the contractor thinking the contractor has insurance and they'll pay for the fix. This is B.S. don't let him get away with this. Why did he wait this long? is the big question. What didn't he take the plastic off to inspect the brick to start with.
I would say his guarantee was up four months ago when he paid you and you left.
Don't let him scare you or, get away with it. Tell him to take a walk.

I had one person go all the way to court and then say "I thought if I sued he'd have his insurance pay and, I wouldn't have to" all the way to court. It cost me $1100.00 to go this far and I couldn't recoup my losses for missing work etc, they wouldn't pay.

Answer 4

I have several more questions. Is it your normal practice to cover windows when laying brick? Who was to clean the brick? Where is this house located? Which direction does these windows face? If he paid you, or if this money came through a title company(waiver needed), you should be in the clear. There sure does need to be a lawyer involved on your part to cover your ***. good luck. its sounds like he needs you more than you need him.

Answer 5

vinyl windows will expand and contract a lot through experience you know how tight to shim them depending the temp outside .

Answer 6

The guy must be a moron, brick will not move(expansion or contraction)

Answer 7

if u have references attesting to good work in past,get ur references in line,make sure their homes/work is still in good repair,and tell new customer to go....well,get a lawyer first,then tell him to go....get the idea? good