Here is the letter I submitted to terminate the contractor:

Friday October 20, 2006

I’m requesting termination of the original contractor (name) working on my house project be done and replaced with a more competent contractor and workers.

I want this to be on record that there have been too many issues. Work has been of poor quality from the first day. The contractor started with a crew of three inexperienced young people- each around 20 years old- for the first three weeks. My home and this project should not be a training ground. The first thing (the city inspector) asked me when we met for the first time (Mon 09-18-06), the second week of the job, was, “How are these kids working out?” And he said it seemed like they were standing around a lot and didn’t seem happy about it. Nor was I.

There has been much standing around and smoking and talking on cell phones by all involved- crew and contractor. (Even my neighbors commented.) There have been lies told about work being completed, when it wasn’t. I will never be convinced that the young workers insulated my crawlspace properly. When ”caught”, they said they “weren’t done yet.” For some reason, these excuses keep being accepted by (the city inspector). It seems to be (the city inspector)’s agenda to defend the contractors and keep them on the job, despite my complaints. Telling me, “You can’t tell them what to do. You have to see what it’s like when they FINISH, then they will have to correct mistakes.” After 6 weeks of this, I’m not going to stand for any more mistakes.

One day (the contractor) returned from lunch intoxicated. (10-04-06) I believe there have been other times. I don’t like that at all. 2 of the weeks they only worked for 3½ days (not because of weather) and have seldom worked more than 5-6 hours in a day. Most jobs have been started, said to have been finished. Then re-done AGAIN because they weren’t done right the first time. Many items STILL aren’t completed at this date. Multiple days being spent on jobs that should be finished quickly.

They have spent over a week, blowing insulation in the walls, incorrectly and still aren’t finished (as of 10-20-06). Blaming it on the machine. They got a 2^nd machine and are still having the same problems. It says right in my contract “using the 2 hole method” yet they are blowing into only one hole- with nowhere for the air to escape- THAT is why their machines aren’t working. The insulation isn’t being filled properly without 2 holes. One lazy worker said to me, “Do you know how much work it is to cut these holes in the wall!” Then (the city inspector) says, “There are different ways to do things.” RIGHT! A right way and a WRONG WAY. And I’ve been getting the WRONG WAY.

(the city inspector) will know the story of the bathroom window that has been redone *3 times* and is *still* not right. The 1^st time, it was done by the young workers, the contractor said he was “Embarrassed” and that “It looked like a 3 year old did it.” The 2^nd time the contractor re-did it himself, using cheap materials to finish the framing. With breaks, rough edges and caulking the material. It *still* looked like a 3 year old did it. The final time, (the city inspector) told him to re-do it again, the contractor used more expensive materials. After the 3^rd time, it STILL looks like a 3 year old did it!… Only using more expensive materials!!! When addressed about it’s poor appearance… the standby excuse… “I wasn’t done yet.”

Any requests I have made for the workers to speed up or work towards better craftsmanship- even those echoed to the contractor and workers by (the city inspector)- have been ignored. Like using runners or drop cloths- none have been used inside my home.

I have had to clean up my floor many times- more than just light dust- of paint and spackling. They have scuffed my wood floors worse than they already were. Stomping through my house in dirty work boots like it’s a construction site. They have scratched and marred all 3 new doors thay have installed so far. Leaving SCARS on my home, rather than repairs or “rehabilitation.”

I asked the contractor (10-06-06) directly, "If you had hired me, and I was working in your house and giving you the same quality of job that you are giving me, would you be 100 percent satisfied?" He hesitated, and answered… "I don't know."

I have discussed this in depth with (the city inspector) and he has told me that, “Your concerns are valid.” And that, “I share your concerns.” And, “I wouldn’t want this quality of work at my own home.” Then he tells me, “They have 8 weeks to complete things” and that I should wait. I’m not sure what to make of the mixed messages. After SIX WEEKS, I feel I have been MORE than lenient in allowing for the improvement I’ve asked for. Which I’ve not seen happen. There is still much to be done- that has not even been started. It’s apparent the contractor would not be done by the completion date of Nov. 7^th.

If I had hired this contractor outside of the program, he would have been FIRED after the first week. After this track record, I can’t see trusting these same lazy and careless workers to complete such jobs as removing and rebuilding my porch. Nor can I see any logic in giving the same contractor more time to complete the work he has failed to do- after many warnings.

I’ve been treated like an outsider in my own home. (the city inspector) has repeatedly been belligerent with me. I have asked him not to continue to use that tone with me. He answered, “I probably shouldn’t, but that’s how I am.” (the city inspector) has given the contractor and workers so many breaks, they respond like they do not have to answer to me - only to the city program (the city inspector). The way this is set up, there is no accountability to the homeowner.

This has been perhaps the worst experience of my life. When I think of the TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS I am responsible to repay, I can’t believe the City of Lancaster program would endorse this poor level of quality as satisfactory. The recent “compromise” of bringing in another contractor to “train” these inept workers is an insult. I only wish that I had made the effort to stop this contractor earlier, then so many poor jobs will not have to be re-done- probably at my own expense. I am very unhappy with this whole project and I want the original contractor (named) and his workers removed from the job as soon as possible and they are not to return to my home.

I will accept that (named) will be the replacement contractor, and that it may take (a reasonable) amount of time longer. Only if there is improvement shown and no backpedaling or changing of the details discussed with (named) on Thursday October 19, 2006.

Mark R. Hill

Friday, October 20, 2006

I fired the contractor! Not gonna gloat til I see the replacement/results.

After I stood in my bathroom (6th week of the project) for the 3rd time, my window looking like it was framed AGAIN by a 3 year old (the contractor took a whole day to do this FOR THE THIRD TIME!) I knew this was it.

The city guy told me he was following how long the contractor took to re-do the window (a whole day), but then started his, "We can't tell them how fast to go and have to wait til the end and see what it looks like then."

I said (madly), "Are FAIRIES going to fly in the last week and wave their magic wands to change all this!?"

Then the contractor got kind of RED with me, like why was I hassling him? Then he spent the next *6 hours* taping off and painting one stair rail and one door frame. And I think he was drunk again or at least hung over. I sat on my couch watching him and we never said two words to one another.

Then they were taking over a week to blow insulation in my walls, cutting only one hole in each channel, and complaining their machine wasn't working right, it kept backfiring. These were guys claiming many years of experience doing this. Between my own research and my dad having this done twice to our houses, we knew they needed to have a 2nd hole at the top of the channel- so the air could FLOW OUT. But they wouldn't listen. And the city guy gave me more BS- "There are different ways to do a job." And I said, "Yes, a RIGHT way and a WRONG way. And you're ALL doing it WRONG!"

I probably gave the update about them proposing to bring in the superior contractor to "train" the dumb asses and supervise all the big jobs left? That was LAST Friday. He was supposed to be here this week on Tuesday. Then suddenly he "couldn't make it until NEXT week" I smelled a BLUFF by the city.

Then after the city guy left, I heard the contractor discussing getting the attic pull down to install in my bedroom ceiling- one of the BIG JOBS- and no new contractor around. These guys couldn't frame a window correctly- after 3 tries- and I'm going to let them cut into my ceiling? NO WAY!

So I made the calls. 1st to the city guy, he tried to blow me off and practically hung up on me. Then he said I had to call the main office and talk with the head woman there. It was my impression that she had heard enough about the progress of this ordeal that she was pretty responsive. I was told I had to write a brief letter and take it into the office and it was done. They will not return here again.

It all went pretty quick. Within *2 hours*, the contractor was sneaking up my alley with 2 trucks to get their supplies (all outside, thank God) and to drop off my new windows for the next contractor to install. It was pretty intense, lurking in the house, watching them thru the windows.

Windows are to be installed next Tuesday, by the new contractor. We'll see what transpires...

Much more to it than this, This really took a toll on me. Worst thing I've ever been thru.

Dr. M

Friday, Oct 20, 2006- This afternoon, I had to take a letter down to the Community Development Dept. requesting the contractor be removed. While I was out, I went to thrift stores for the first time in many weeks.
The first one I went into, I spied this book (c.1962) and grabbed it right away. Can you believe the coincidence/ timeliness! Near mint condition. And what a great 60s cover design. Alan King just passed away this year.

Thursday October 19, 2006

The camels back was broken.

Today I fired my contractor.

Will post the story when I recoup.

Mark

Well, I'm coming to the close of the 5th week of my home rehabilitation project- with 3 to go- and with NO improvments to the qualiy of work. With several major portions yet to be even started- like removing my porch and rebuilding it. I think I've been about as generous as possible. I had a major discussion with the city supervisor and SUPPOSEDLY he's going to his office to speak to HIS boss about putting in an order to stop this amatuer crew. He was a bit dodgy about it. Called me after returning to his office saying he can't tell me details, but I would "be happy" with what he had in mind and give him a day or two. ????? I'm not holding my breath but will keep posting. Mark

The torture never stops. This is todays inept task. Non-professionals attempting to blow insulation in the walls. I am typing this at 1:20 and they have been out there since 9am with the blower (which they took somewhere and brought back) and have only succeeded in making a mess:

I wish I had Misterogers doing my home rehab.

Here is a part of the garage they sided. A corner. They were supposed to "cover all wood." On several other corners- before I called them on it- they just gooped over these open ends with caulking.


Here they are- 3 weeks after the other picture- STILL working on correcting it.

Here is the windowsill that looked like a 5 year old made it with grandpa in the workshop. I sucessfully made them replace it:

Today I asked my contractor, "If you had hired me, and I was working in your house and giving you the same quality of job that you are giving me, would you be 100 percent satisfied?" He hesitated, and answered, "I don't know."


I had to be sure this comment was seen, from poster RC, who titled this shot:
("Portrait of the American Worker." No wonder the US is dead!)

Some examples of the high-quality work I'm getting.
These guys must be brain dead. After the "embarrasment" of the amateurish window sill (see previous post), THIS is what the CONTRACTOR HIMSELF left as a finsished product. This is the top of the window frame. As soon as I pulled the string on the mini-blind- the whole thing fell down. This is what they did to frame my window that had no sill or frame. I consider this the *illusion* of a frame:


Look at this slop!

Got this email inquiry:

> How's the house-demolishing, er I mean FIXING coming along?

That's about right. I don't even know where to begin. I made enough noise that they got rid of the kids. I want to shut the whole thing down, but it would just take longer. And the city guy indicated I'd be up against THEIR legal team- which includes the mayor. So I'm fluffed no matter what. Might as well get the train wreck over and get them out of here. Today, the contractor is painting my bedroom door with leftover KILZ basement wall paint and day before yesterday the contractor and new worker came back from lunch drunk! They did get my new shower in- about 80% to the good. Still 4 weeks to go...

Dr. M

Sunday 10-01-06- Won't go into detail, but the home rehab is going even worse. 3 weeks in, with at least 3 more weeks to go. I'm torn between trying to shut it down legally or just letting them finish to get this overwith. I'm already trying to get work items REMOVED, so they don't do them poorly and I have to live with the shoddy work- or re-do them over myself. Like so far, they have installed 2 new doors and scratched and marred them up. Answering, "Oh, we'll just paint them." One was over a $100 door!