Question more or less nonspecific contractor / flooded underground room? In 2/ 08, our basement flooded. We didn¡¯t have a impermeable system,...
In 2/ 08, our basement flooded. We didn¡¯t have a impermeable system, so everything was torn out. The contractor put in a baseboard, trench, and sump pump (with battery-operated and backup pump). He verbally warranted his work for vivacity and said it would be in writing when he is paid within full.
Last week, the pump stopped working. We called the contractor and a new pump be installed.
Tonight, we went downstairs and there be an inch of water on the floor. We immediately call the contractor. He told us that the pump had failed and go to get a new one. He told us that he have originally installed a 1/3 pump and it couldn¡¯t handle the workload. To ¡°hopefully fix it,¡± he installed a 1.5 horsepower pump and said we may need to catch a 3/4 pump.
My question is: should the contractor be responsible for knowing that a smaller sump pump will not work in a large water area (HE mentioned it be an area that has a great deal of water)? My furniture and new walls are ruined¡ what are my options?
Answers: Assuming that you hired a State licensed standard contractor, the first thing that you should do is to try to resolve the issue with him. If he is not likely to cover your loss, then you should file a report next to the local Registrar of Contractors. His insurance should cover the damage caused by his mistake. If he is not a licensed contrator, consequently you're out of luck, there really isn't anything that you can do to recover any losses. That doesn't mingy you can't sue him for damages, but you don't have much of a chance to win, and it will cost you passageway more to hire a lawyer.
Make sure you document everything, if promises are made via the telephone, form sure you follow up with a letter or email to confirm what be said. Do not authorize him to do any further work unless if he agrees that the original scope of work will be repaired at his expense. If he will not do that, consequently there isn't much chance that he will compensate for any damages caused by his error. That leaves you no choice but to report him to the registrar of contractors. They will help you next to what options you have. They are at hand to protect the consumer and the reputation of good contractors.
The contractor should be knowledgable enough to know everything back doing their job. Making a home improvement is terrifically sensitive case, there is no place for such an error or everything will hold a ruin. I planned for home renovation and search for a general contractor online. At first I be aware that some contractors are not that good enough and I don't want to leftovers my money, I need a professional work. So a friend of mine refered http://www.newyorkgeneralcontractor.com/ and I am very thrilled with their work and the result of my home. Yes, the contractor should have set what size pump to install and he should be liable for the failure of the sump pump and the damage. If the contractor is insured, his policy should salary for the damage. If he does not cooperate, you may want to threaten to report him to the registrar of contractors. I have a underground store in Arizona and even though we only own rain during monsoon season, the rains come down rugged and fast. Thankfully, my pump is working great and we have have no floods. Also we have to keep an eye out for sink holes outside. I have an engineer tell me that if your courtyard is landscaped, it helps to prevent sink holes and underground store flooding. Good Luck.