My builder screwed up - what can I do?

[Yev]

I wanted to offer a new opinion. If your conversation with the builder does not go well, think about what you really want out if this. While the bubbler might seem like something your kids will be devastated to not have, they will love any pool, so its not a huge deal in the end. , though I 100% agree that if in your shoes I would be livid.

So one way to play this might be to have to suck it up and pay to not tick the PB off (though I would probably pay the fee lest the $850 value of the bubblers which creates a documented trail that he is not providing you with what the contract says). If he does not reduce cost, or demands the extra $850, then get your ducks in a row and sue him in small claims court once the job is complete. That way he has less ground to retaliate with bad work. I would also roast him on yelp, google, and anywhere else that you can think of.

Not sure what to make of the missing steps. I dont know the value, or inconvenience of not having them.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Our contract called for final payment when the pool was filled. I let the PB know, verbally and in an email, that I was holding back a portion of that payment until certain issues were addressed. They got it fixed, and got their money.
So much easier than small claims court.

Best of luck.

 

[OrlandoBull]

One off the wall option... you could also call your inspector and tell them that your PB isn't living up to what they promised, explain to them that the bubblers are on the plan, and ask them politely to deny the next inspection on your behalf due to plan deviations. This is where your City/County can help you a bit if they are willing.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

One off the wall option... you could also call your inspector and tell them that your PB isn't living up to what they promised, explain to them that the bubblers are on the plan, and ask them politely to deny the next inspection on your behalf due to plan deviations. This is where your City/County can help you a bit if they are willing.

We had to show our inspector the violations of the plan as well. That really helped things get fixed.
We were also doing concurrent construction with a good friend who is a GC. He would look things over and let us know when things didn't pass the smell test. That was incredibly helpful. He was present for a lot of our conversations with the PB rep, general manager, and owner, when the PB rep (the villain in this tale, AKA the lying idiot) regularly let things get boogered up.