We had a contractor remodel our bathroom back in December. It was a nearly-gut job, with all new fixtures, flooring, tiled bath/shower combo, etc. There were ups and downs during the process, but we were over-all impressed with the company, especially how the owner promptly resolved a problem with the tile job. I don't have any reason to expect him to try to be unfair to us now, but I do need advice about what might be fair to expect and what I should do, now that major issues have come up. (This project is the first remodel we've ever done.)
Since the bathroom was finished, the tub caulking has failed repeatedly. It cracks on the drain end and the long side after one or two baths. When full, the soaker tub (Americast) sinks about 1/8-1/4 inch - I attached a picture, below.
Also, we've just had a big raised area (9 inches across X 5 inches approx) come up in the marmoleum floor, and a small crack in it, next to the tub. It looks like the flooring has come up from the underlayment. There's another less obvious uneven spot by the toilet.
The company owner sent our project manager out this week. This time he went into the crawl space,under the bathroom. His conclusion is that our joists (I think that is the correct term: the beams that run parallel to the ground, under the bathtub) are too far apart to adequately support the weight of a modern soaker tub. He also said he thinks water got under the marmoleum, somehow, though he swears he installed it per manufacturer's directions. He is going to consult with the owner but said: "if we end up reinforcing the joists/supports under the house...we will also re-do your floor for free."
I am still waiting for an email or call from the owner. It has now been three days. I'm trying to figure out what to say and what to ask them to do, depending on what he offers.
My gut reaction is that it is reasonable for them to ask us to pay for additional reinforcement under the floor, if needed. However,since we had our project manager, his boss AND their plumber all in that crawl space before the project and they all missed this "issue," we expect to pay the same price as that work would have cost during the big project - no paying for it as a separate deal.
Also, they need to replace our marmoleum floor. And we will need to see evidence that he did follow manufacture's instructions. We do not consider a new floor a favor in this situation because we had every reason to expect a waterproof bathroom floor! There was CLEARLY an installation problem.
Please let me know if my response is fair, unfair, or too nice? And if I should be doing something additional? I'd also like to hear if professionals think these problems are understandable oversights, or a sign of incompetence. I'm an assertive person but unfamiliar with this industry.
Thanks!
Since the bathroom was finished, the tub caulking has failed repeatedly. It cracks on the drain end and the long side after one or two baths. When full, the soaker tub (Americast) sinks about 1/8-1/4 inch - I attached a picture, below.
Also, we've just had a big raised area (9 inches across X 5 inches approx) come up in the marmoleum floor, and a small crack in it, next to the tub. It looks like the flooring has come up from the underlayment. There's another less obvious uneven spot by the toilet.
The company owner sent our project manager out this week. This time he went into the crawl space,under the bathroom. His conclusion is that our joists (I think that is the correct term: the beams that run parallel to the ground, under the bathtub) are too far apart to adequately support the weight of a modern soaker tub. He also said he thinks water got under the marmoleum, somehow, though he swears he installed it per manufacturer's directions. He is going to consult with the owner but said: "if we end up reinforcing the joists/supports under the house...we will also re-do your floor for free."
I am still waiting for an email or call from the owner. It has now been three days. I'm trying to figure out what to say and what to ask them to do, depending on what he offers.
My gut reaction is that it is reasonable for them to ask us to pay for additional reinforcement under the floor, if needed. However,since we had our project manager, his boss AND their plumber all in that crawl space before the project and they all missed this "issue," we expect to pay the same price as that work would have cost during the big project - no paying for it as a separate deal.
Also, they need to replace our marmoleum floor. And we will need to see evidence that he did follow manufacture's instructions. We do not consider a new floor a favor in this situation because we had every reason to expect a waterproof bathroom floor! There was CLEARLY an installation problem.
Please let me know if my response is fair, unfair, or too nice? And if I should be doing something additional? I'd also like to hear if professionals think these problems are understandable oversights, or a sign of incompetence. I'm an assertive person but unfamiliar with this industry.
Thanks!