Issues with a flooring guy

[FinishingCanuck]

I'm a finish carpenter and I've recently been working with a new builder. When I started he expressed his disappointment with the previous finisher and the doors he's installed. I wasn't worried about this because I have never had any complaints with my work but today I went to install base in the first house I trimmed out for him and immediately noticed that the front entry closet (double doors) were way out of alignment. One door was a full quarter inch higher than the other and that's not the way I installed it. I want to continue getting work from this builder so I agreed to fix the door at my expense. But after further inspection the reason was obvious. The reveal between the door and jamb had opened up and flooring was right tight to the jamb where on all others was an 1/8" gap. He pryed up the jamb to slide flooring under instead of cutting the jamb. When the builder returned I explained this to him, he called the flooring guy who came by within the hour. He showed up in a rage, waving his arms, yelling profanities and insulting me and my work. It took every ounce of self control keep calm, to not blow up and knock this POS out. Due to the builders lack of experience and the flooring guy being a "family friend" I lost that "battle"

My question is... Does anyone know how I can prevent this from happening again? Has it happened to you? I could always load it up with extra nails but that would look horrible and most likely P off the painter. I'm thinking of gluing the bottom 12" of casing to the drywall but worry if it will hold when the wall is already primed.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated

Thanks

Mike

 

[nclemmons]

Couple of thoughts:

Mark the inside jamb on the wall of a closet or another location out of sight.  If it's out of alignment after his flooring work you can show the misalignment and movement to what you had done previously.  Document with your mobile phone.

Measure from the ceiling to the top of the jamb and take a photo with your phone showing the date and time and measurement. If it is shifted up after installation, you have proof of movement from your install. 

Introduce him to a Vecturo and how to undercut a jamb!

In general your phone can be your best friend for documenting your work and the errors of others.

Good luck.  It's tough taking the fall for other trades who don't share in your attention to detail.  Particularly when that fall hits your wallet.

Neil

 

[Walk On Wood]

Mike- I've been doing hardwood for 19+ years and have never seen that.  Any self respecting floor guy undercuts the jambs as needed.  My guess would be that it is unlikely to happen again.

That stinks that you had that problem. I can't stand hacks in any trade, but especially within my own.

Edit: I just re read your post. Perhaps the previous carpenter was having the same thing happen to his work.  You could ensure that there is proper clearance under the jambs/casings before Mr. Wonderful comes to do the floors.  (The norm here is for doors to be installed after an unfinished floor, but before a prefinished floor)

 

[rljatl]

Makes me wonder if there was nothing wrong with the previous finisher and it was the floor guy all along causing the problems?

 

[Jaybolishes]

I had the same thoughts, the previous finisher probably had the same idiot messing up his work.  The flooring guy is not being truthful judging by the childish way he handled the whole thing.  Sorry to hear about that. In the future maybe you could use some small headed screws going into the framing?  It would be tough to wedge that up, but I highly doubt you'll run into this again. 

 

[FinishingCanuck]

I also think the other finisher wasn't at fault.

I like the reference line idea but the lines would be covered when the painter sprays the trim. Pictures would work but would eat up a lot of my time documenting every little detail. I thought about asking the builder to inspect all my work before flooring is installed but it could back fire if the guy decides to do a "proper" job on the next one. It might make it look like I was trying to "pass the buck"

 

[Wooden Skye]

It sounds like the flooring guy is the problem, and if he is family, you will probably lose all disputes.  Maybe you would be better off to get a sample of the flooring and after you do the doors, undercut the jamb yourself.  I realize this is an extra step, but it could save you many call backs by the builder on your dime, fights with the flooring guy and if the builder is a good source of income may be the best approach.

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I know how you feel it's very frustrating to take pride and do a good job on your work only to have another trade make you look bad because he doesn't know what he is doing or is an idiot. I think the contractor should take a little blame he needs to have a little more knowledge on how things are being done in his house's or get him a really good super intendant to monitor things. I also commend you on keeping your composure while he was throwing his fit that's not how true gentle resolve issues in my eyes it shows he was guilty and knows it. Walk on Wood you will get a kick out of this talkin about hacks in the industry about three months back I observed  floor guy unload his hardwood straight of his truck and start nailing it down no time to acclimate except for time from his truck to the floor!!

 

[FinishingCanuck]

No acclimation!? Next stop, gap city!

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I know right any good woodworker knows better. I mentioned it to both the builder and homeowner hopefully they made him replace it.   

 

[FinishingCanuck]

This whole situation really sucks the big one but experienced or not it shouldn't take the builder long to realize where the problem lies. I'm just gonna stay quiet and weather the storm because I want to work with this builder. A lot of the work I get since I started my own business is smaller spec homes and condos where these houses are loaded with crown and wanescotting with a mantel and built in entertainment unit. I enjoy this type of work a whole lot more and of course, it pays better!

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I agree it does suck I only work in high end custom homes because like you said it pays better and it's more enjoyable. If there's one thing I've learned over the years whether I'm right or wrong sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and move on to next job because want to keep doing his work. Hopefully your work and professionalism will speak for itself I wish you the best of luck. 

 

[FinishingCanuck]

Yep, that's the plan. Thanks!

On a side note.
You should have seen the builder drueling all over my kapex with ct26 and UDD. He had never seen anything like it. Had never heard of festool. It was kinda funny seeing him stare at the cyclone as the dust goes round and round. I know I scored some points then

 

[Walk On Wood]

I can't stand it when guys don't acclimate the wood.  Arghhhhhhhh!!!! Soooooo many hacks out there, always offering their low prices.  I sell my services as high value, rather than high cost.  I like the "do it once, do it right" technique.

 

[Rollin22Petes]

Not to mention how much cleaner your area will be over the other guy with his big yellow Dewalt spewing dust everywhere!! 

 

[Rollin22Petes]

Just like the old saying if you don't have time to do it right the first time how are you going to have time to do it over!

 

[FinishingCanuck]

He did compliment me on how clean I left the house after the first stage. I had to cut back a lot of drywall and around the windows ( and spray foam because the jambs were bowed in) it made a huge mess so I ended up vacuuming the entire house (drywall dust included) the painter must love me! Lol

 

[Rollin22Petes]

It's all the little things that separate the pros from all the posers out there keep up the good work.

 

[Jason Kehl]

To prevent him from prying up the door jambs again shim (firmly) between the top of the jam and the underside of the header. He won't be able to move the jamb without removing or adjusting the shims, more work than cutting the jamb...

 

[greg mann]

Yep, that's the plan. Thanks!

On a side note.
You should have seen the builder drueling all over my kapex with ct26 and UDD. He had never seen anything like it. Had never heard of festool. It was kinda funny seeing him stare at the cyclone as the dust goes round and round. I know I scored some points then

He must have not seen those casting flaws. [dead horse]