Got a call awhile back to build a small 12′ x 15′ garage addition to store a golf cart. Met with H.O. and decided on a design and price.
We were going to basically build this in a 12 x 15 cutout in the footprint of the house. The drive had been extended around in this cutout so there was 4” of concrete covering the whole area to be built on that had to come out so I could put in footers and establish my grade and foundation.
so….. After sumitting drawings and going through review and pulling neccesary permits we started. We cut the concrete and removed it and began excavating for footings.
Here’s where the problems started, we had very soft soils. Here in the south we only have to have 12” x 12” footers.We dug down almost 4′ looking for hard dirt, by hand, and then water started coming in.Footers to the house appear to be about 6′ deep but theres no way I could have known this.The house is on a slab!
I stopped digging and called the H.O. and the inspector. Inspector says we have to get an engineer to come up with a fix. All partys believe its just ground water, but we are in a drought here.
Engineer says it can be fixed but basically its cost prohibited. Now H.O. says project is a no go so to just fill it back in and re-pour the drive.
The H.O. has appologized numerous times and promised to pay me. I am not worried about getting paid, I’m just struggling with what to charge.
Now for my question, What would you charge for this… actual cost of job(subs and materials) plus my time?,….actual cost minus my time?,..meet him half way?… What?
I’ve never run into a problem like this before and I keep asking myself what I could have done to prevent this?
Opinions?
Dug
I i
Replies
Charge him exactly what his project has cost you....labor, materials, subs and your time.
This wasn't your fault. It was an unforeseeable circumstance.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Thats my plan. What stinks about all of this is it could'nt have happened to a nicer customer.
dug
...it could'nt have happened to a nicer customer.
Be sure to let them know that.
They'll have more work down the road.
J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements
I've seen the same conditions. Just take away what you learned from the experience. If it ever comes up again, might want to take a PH digger and see what the soil is like next to the DW.
You definitely have class, IMHO, like everybody here.
What JD said.
Jim
I agree. Time and materials.
Hey all you golphers - see how expensive your hobby can get?
;)
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Excellence is its own reward!
My divots don't get that big.
cover your costs .... repour that pad.
then design a nice carport as an alternative and cut them a break if U still feel bad.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
you screw up because you dont know anything about soils. First the foundation doesnt weight nothing , and since you are in the south no freeze problem. I would of undercut an extra foot from footing elevation, backfill with sand or gravel and poured concrete ten minute later
you screw up because you dont know anything about soils. First the foundation doesnt weight nothing , and since you are in the south no freeze problem. I would of undercut an extra foot from footing elevation, backfill with sand or gravel and poured concrete ten minute later
Brown,
lemme guess, when the inspectors knuckles drug the ground using his punching rod, you would have told him to kiss your alluvial azz!
We gots rules over here on this side of the river, man..... They won't let us pour foundations on dirt that has the consistency of cow sheet!
dug
i is the inspector, my report override the county. What I report goes, no if , or , buts. if guns kill people, then I can blame my misppelled words on my pencil
Edited 12/6/2007 10:19 pm by brownbagg