sabotage

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JJWalecka

JJWalecka

Senior Member
Location
New England
I recently went back to a project that I started two months ago. It was held back due to other trades. The walls were fully insulated. I hadn't even finished the rough.
I told the owner of the property that that wouldn't fly and it needed to be removed. This weekend I went by again. I noticed that a romex had been spliced together and the ungrounded conductors were striped to expose copper. I was vexed by this because it was under the insulation. Had it not been removed I might have not noticed it.
Seems like I was being set up.
What do I do? Should I ask to be paid time and material and check all my work? Can I get a contract that states I am not guarantying any work due to the issue?
The sheet rocker gave me some bad vibes because I took the work away from his friend. No proof but he might be the culprit.
I am already a few hundred in the hole till the Rough inspection.
Any opinions and wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Justin Walecka
 
Justinm run, don't walk, to the AHJ if the GC is unwilling to cover all of your added costs. Every wire is suspect right now. Insulation is supposed to wait until all trades get their rough inspections, and the GC should be well aware of this.
 
Agree with Larry, not no, but hell no, would I touch any thing until my self AND the ahj went over every thing in the home.If the contractor wants to balk at paying for your time go to the ahj explain what has happened and pull your name off of the permit and walk away. I do not know what your relationship with this contractor is, if he is a one shot deal or he keeps you work. If he keeps you in work he should realise that you are looking after him as well as your self.
 
Justin - I fully agree with Larry as well. This sounds like a nightmare.

Please keep us posted on how this progresses.

Wish you luck working this out, and it sounds like a situation that you're better off not being involved. If the GC allows things to happen like this, I'm not sure that not working with him would be a bad thing.
 
Also if you do bring in ahj document EVERY thing,dates,times who you talked with and /or reinspected this wiring with. That way if you do walk you have a leg to stand on to collect any money's owed you.
 
First I would talk with the contractor, in a few minutes you'll get his point on this issue and from there you can decide which track to take. Calling the AHJ or repairing on a T&M Basis.
 
Thank you for everyones time.

I talked to the complex owner/GC. It was kind of talking to a wall. He kept talking over me. I kept me cool.

He was told a helper on the job dropped a concrete box on the wire. He took it upon himself and spliced it up. "It was a mistake things happen."
We disagree after this.
I am upset because the splice was covered by insulation and the guy shouldn't be touching my work. The GC actually said "well it is on a breaker right wouldn't it trip"

ARE you kidding me?!

Our conversation ended with me going to let him know if I am going to pull out of the job. I am in the hole about $700.00.

He said he would pay me for my time to fix the splice. I want to look over everything. How do I know it is an isolated incident?
He said "You have to have some kind of trust". Yeah well people die with electricity. I have a million dollar liability and I hope never to use it.

I want a statement stating that I am not guaranteeing any of my work or materials. If he doesn't provide that I think I should bail regardless of loss.

If I decide to cut mt losses am I liable for the work I installed?
Should I demo it out? Scrap what copper I can?

As always I respect and enjoy the comments provided.
Thank you for your time

Justin J. Walecka
 
I am not an attorney, seems like he is giving you a chance to get paid back for the splice. It seems like if you quit the job, and it is for reasons other than very deliquent payments, you are open game to the GC.

Keep in mind the GC has insurance also. If the thing burns down he will get a lawsuit filed on first. Then yours will be behind it.

I think the wire splice behind the wall was a major mistake. He admitted he did it, you were notified. I don't know about the part where you say you will not warranty things.

How are you in the hole $700 already? If you have a contract then break it for the wrong reasons, the GC can hire someone to finish and charge you for the difference. I would just be really careful from here and document everything no matter what. Good Luck !!
 
How are you suposed to "trust" some one who splices wires and then covers them up as to hide the problem? Sure, thing happen on job sites but when this box fell on the wires the GC should have notified YOU so YOU could make the repair not him.If you are going to complete this job the heck with the GC go to the inspector explane what has happened and ask him if he will go over the wireing with you.Most inspectors will try and help in any way they can. But as said befor document EVERY THING. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
 
I would also notify the inspector, so that he can advise you. They see a lot of kooky stuff and may have ideas, since they are on many more job sites per day than you. Also, he could write something on your inspection form so that it is documented at the dept of building office.

that GC was way out of line doing an "our Gang" style splice on your work.
 
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