What if a contractor puts concrete on my porch then it develops a large crack, but the company refuses to fix it?
As with anything that has to do with your home you want it perfect. After all you have worked hard to be able to complete the home improvement.
I can not speak for other contractors, but I for one am very thorough.
I will walk you through an estimate request example:
Mr. and Mrs. Jones wants a porch/patio.
My first question to homeowner would be: what will the porch/patio function serve, now and in the future? I ask this because, you the homeowner knows what you want or plan to do,BEST.
Well. To keep it short and sweet. Always ask what kind of warranty is provided with the service you are paying for. Ask how long the contractor has been completing work in your area. Convey your wants,needs and especially your expectation of the completed improvement.
Then, this is THE top ten rule for any improvement. PUT IT IN WRITING! The three main demands/promises in a home improvement contract are as follows:
The Contractors written Warranty of finished improvement (very important as some offer the worst warranty of all. THE TAILGATE WARRANTY!)
The Homeowner’s desired finished improvement and service expectations
The Contractor’s understanding of desired improvement, function and quality expectations
SO…TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. Disputes arise at times. But are more easily rectified when both parties know whats expected
of them.
HOWEVER,if said contractor still isn’t helpful in resolving the issue, you the homeowner, the hardworking and intelligent homeowner hired a LICENSED AND BONDED contractor. So in the slim chance something does go awry, the matter can be escalated and mediated by a third party (i.e small court claims or bond claims.)
WHAT IS HOPEFULLY GOING THROUGH THE CONTRACTORS HEAD IS:
one hand: keep my license and bond and have another happy customer…other hand: possibility of loss of license, loss of ability to complete work, and have negative reviews from an unhappy customer.
To me it is a no brainer…hire only licensed and bonded contractors and have a signed improvement contract. Lets face reality, not everything goes as planned…BE PREPARED!
This is the responsibility of the contractor whom installed it but there are also other stipulations which should be stated in the contract. If the work was done over a year ago, it could be out of contractors responsibility.
There are many factors on why concrete would crack and as many precaution a Contractors take such as compaction, rebar or wire mesh there is still a chance that a crack can occur. I would recommend that if you decide to do concrete flat work that you understand that there is a small chance that a crack may occur. I would recommend Pavers as an alternative.
If it cracks in the same year its being pored the contractor has to go back and fix it.
Hi. If it’s within the warranty specified by contractor, then of course he owns the repair. It may be the concrete mix itself.
What were the weather conditions like when it was poured? Regardless, they should fix it for you.
There could be few major reasons. Cheap concrete, not enough support
for the slab or high temperature and quick drying etc. Some steel mash
or re-bar should be in bedded in the slab. This falls in to a warranty on material and workmanship! Porch is not a drive way and it’s protected
with overhang- roof.
The question above states one issue and the comment below indicates a different problem.
Is this a porch or patio, each has a different approach. Was there a design & specifications for this work or an accepted one page proposal based on a walk through discussion between owner and contractor. Temperature has a huge affect on the work & the concrete mix, was it mixed on site or delivered on a mixer truck. Did they pour the concrete soon after arrived or sat on site over 1 hour, if so, concrete is not acceptable to be used. Is there an expansion / control joints installed or a saw cut. Is this work done recently or over a year ago.
What are the size of these cracks, hair line to 1/16" which is standard expansion in flat concrete, if 1/2" & more that is an indication of a structural failure.
Did the contractor install a solid compacted base under concrete, or over lose wood & materials, did the contractor make owner aware of these existing conditions. At times it is costly to solidify the base, either contractor skips or owner do not want to spend the added cost.
Typical work is covered by 1 year warrantee, but a structural failure should be addressed and brought to contractor attention regardless of elapsed time on the work.