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December 1, 2008
HUGE Problem!! help!
Hello brownstoners -- first time poster but long time lurker here. Got so much great info from you all. I come to you with a huge problem: I just recently completed a renovation project (smaller scale, but includes a kitchen) and literally within hours of signing a certificate of completion w the contractor, I find that I cannot turn on my faucet! (backsplash too thick or faucet too close to it, it's one of those levers so it needs a little bit of space at the back and doesn't have enough to turn on without hitting backsplash ... so no water when in the 'forward facing' position) ... Problem is: the contractor is ... well, I wouldn't recommend him. Basically, he's ignoring my calls. I mean, he got paid, I signed the paper saying all good. Yes, he rushed me at the end, but the point is I signed and he's got no incentive to return. What can I do? THank you for all... I m really really desperate right now.
Comments
If he doesn't return your calls, you should leave a message telling him you'll publicize his shoddy work on this forum. And then do it. Most contractors in Brooklyn know that people get recommendations from this site, and they probably wouldn't risk getting burned. Threaten it and then, if there's no response, do it.
Posted by: nyc87 at December 1, 2008 11:16 PM
easiest thing to do is change faucet at this point
Posted by: guest4 at December 1, 2008 11:35 PM
Yeah, try to return the faucet and buy another one that fits.
I've been a building manager/landlord for years and I've never signed a "certificate of completion." It's certainly not something that's common for small renovations.
But I know what you mean about being pressured. Sounds like the contractor is a jerk.
Posted by: IronBalls at December 2, 2008 1:02 AM
Burn his Rep...
Posted by: alrosariojr at December 2, 2008 1:10 AM
Call a recommended plumber.
You're eating this one. The name of your contractor, say it, say it..
Posted by: pattunia at December 2, 2008 3:19 AM
Thank you for your recommendation re: new faucet. It only came to me later (yeah, i m dense). as for the name, i don't really do name-calling (it's not like he committed a huge fraud here) and the internet can destroy a reputation - which this guy doesn't deserve. Still, it'll teach me to be more cautious next time!!
you guys are the best, thanks again.
Posted by: greuh at December 2, 2008 4:11 AM
It's not name calling...it's alerting the people whom you value here as sources of information. The fact that he's not returning calls makes him the jerk that he is.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 8:25 AM
Had a similar problem. I rotated the faucet body 45 degrees to the left so the handle cleared. The faucet itself swivels so it's straight. Just won't turn quite so much to the right. I linda like how it looks and I like the long handle.
Posted by: Johnny at December 2, 2008 9:05 AM
Johnny's right...the faucet can be loosened and rotated so that it sticks out towards the front when off and when it is open it's parallel with the backsplacsh, not hitting it
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 9:08 AM
No one's asking you to destroy a contractor's reputation, simply to identify him/her so others can be aware of potential problems. It's really unfortunate to seek help and after getting several helpful replies, blow off other people's requests under cover of "no name-calling." It leaves me thinking that your post was as much about a client problem as a contractor problem.
Posted by: vinca at December 2, 2008 9:25 AM
Think of it this way: would you recommend this guy to a friend?
If you think the Forum is helpful, you've probably learned things from it. Letting us know to be on the alert for your contractor is returning the favor.
Posted by: Arkady at December 2, 2008 11:28 AM
"What can I do?"
- Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.
- Mark Twain
Posted by: East New York at December 2, 2008 11:38 AM
I disagree with the hunger to name names on this site. Although I think nyc87's advice is sound to use the threat of naming the contractor as leverage to get him back to finish the job right, I just think that there is a vast army of contractors working in Brooklyn and that naming individual screw-ups on this site just for future referecne to others is about as useful as watering individual blades of grass. It doesn't help you get closer to finding a good GC by ruling one bad GC out. No one picks GCs by process of elimination. People go, or at least they should, with positive referrals from reliable sources.
Here, if DIBS and johnny are right, OP can get this fixed easily and cheaply. If so, it is probably not going to be worth getting the contractor back. Just bite the bullet and get it done. If it turns out to be an expensive fix, then you may want to exert the leverage that you would get from exposing the contractor on this site. Alternatively, keep track of all your costs in case you decide to pursue him in slam claims court (do not rely on this as legal advice but I would not assume the certificate you signed would prevent you from pursuing that route).
Posted by: slopefarm at December 2, 2008 11:52 AM
Here's a happy medium: go review him on Angie's list.
Posted by: serpentor at December 2, 2008 1:09 PM
I am a firm believer of recommendations for everyone that works for you (bad or good!). You may not find a GC by process of elimination, but you can at least eliminate potential GCs when you google them and see this particular specific bad thing. It is within the GC's right to respond too!
Posted by: justinm at December 2, 2008 1:27 PM
Re: hunger to out bad contractors...
I think it's important to do no harm. Saying mostly good things while keeping a sense of discretion and thoughtfulness about bad experiences is important.
I say this because clients bring something to the work relationship. I am sure I am not the only person who's fired clients who are really good people, but are horrible to work with because they can't communicate, or have unreasonable expectations, etc. It takes superhuman effort to manage these relationships, and they are often ticking time bombs no matter what you do to "handle" them.
I can imagine that this is particularly true for contractors, who are working with people who are consumers and not specialists, and therefore have no language to describe what they want. This would make me feel very helpless, particularly since my home is a space that I find intimate and overly important.
I'm not pointing a finger at the OP's role in the problem at all--I don't know enough. But I am saying that, as a general rule, I could imagine myself becoming a bad client, and I have had enough bad clients to know that it often takes two to tango. And when things get all interconnected like that, I think it's best not to damage someone's livelihood by slamming them on a public forum, particularly from the relative anonymity of a forum handle.
Posted by: vanburenproud at December 2, 2008 1:33 PM
Slopefarm: I appreciate what you write (not just above, but across the Forum). I don't hire contractors based on anonymous posts. At same time, I've been glad to find recommendations on Brownstoner from anonymous posters for services/areas where I have little or no knowledge or experience. I don't perceive the request to name a contractor as a hunger. I'm sure we've all got friends and customers who will complain regardless of service and outcome. When one person writes a complaint, and suddenly three others reply that they'd rehire the same contractor in a heartbeat, or that they too have had similar problems, that's valuable commentary and worthwhile information. Without names neither recommendations nor caution can happen, nor can a contractor respond.
Posted by: vinca at December 2, 2008 1:50 PM
This is not such a big deal: one negative comment does not ruin a reputation. This problem sounds like an oversight or lack of coordination between you and the contractor. What we need to know is if this is a recurring problem, or a one-off kind of thing. So pray do tell.
Posted by: Sputnik13 at December 2, 2008 2:48 PM
Regardless of how big or small the screwups might be, there's an issue here with the contractor ignorig his call after the job was supposed to be completed.
Reporting fairly on what a contractor did, and providing a context for it, is not the least bit unethical or unfair. It's not name calling to let others know who is he, and to update this post with a followup if he resolves it.
Posted by: ceolaf at December 2, 2008 3:37 PM
My father always applies the maxim "How would you feel about what you are doing today if it were to appear on the front page of the New York Times tomorrow?"
You should describe the person & situation accurately - good & bad. How else can other people make informed decisions. The notion that you should only say good things in life is strange, if that were the case we would never ever know about the bad work done. Everyone can get at least their mother to write something positive about them so if the internet were only positive reviews it would be impossible to discern good from bad.
As for the idea that nobody looks at bad reviews in determining who to work with I completely disagree. I needed a roof hatch replaced last week, I used Angie's List, I found a great contractor after reading many reviews and they did a great job. I just wrote them a sparkling review that explained all the good & bad I found in working with them (overwhelmingly good). That allows the next user to know what they're getting into. If this person did a great job but isn't calling you back now about a small problem. Say that - maybe it will matter to someone and maybe it won't to others but it's honest.
I get the sense that you think it may be your own fault and thus you are hesitant to say: J'Accuse!
:)
Posted by: homerklese at December 3, 2008 5:43 PM
I think Homerklese is absolutely right. Contractors only give you names and numbers of the people who are going to give glowing reviews (or are somehow related or paid off)They are never going to tell you about the problem jobs. Forums such as this are the only way to inform and protect your fellow man--that at reporting the ahole to the attorney general, the city, the better business bureau etc. The reason why contractors can get away with this sort of thing is because everyone is too afraid to call them out on it. That said, its important to be honest about the good and bad in any relationship.
Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at December 4, 2008 8:42 AM
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