being the odd man out

Started by LetA • 13 replies • 698 views

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LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

YES.. It happened AGAIN

My question is three fold, I have some owners that are hoping mad, and frankly I don't blame them one bit. It again seems that management Ok's vendors work schedules that are long instead of narrowing down specific start and end dates. Maybe my expectations are far overbearing, but I think a simple spa re-plaster should take realistically 3 days, 4 if it rains, 5 ok I understand mother nature gets cranky. 7,8 10 days, c'mon don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

1.) Barring any major weather calamities, how long should it take for a in-ground 8 person hot tub to be re-plastered?

2.) the normal pool servicer took advantage of this opportunity to acid wash the pool so they drained it on Monday, they have yet to return to acid wash it. Tuesday we had perfect weather, Wednesday it did not start to rain until 2:30, 3:00 pm, Today is perfect still so acid wash. it was drizzling early this morning but has stopped.

I am just tired of these vendors doing whatever.

I personally would have NEVER scheduled a Friday demo of the spa, and scheduled for a Wednesday Thursday re-plaster, I would have insisted for a Monday Tuesday re-plaster. and had the pool company clean the pool on Wednesday for a Friday opening.

And Lastly

Is it worth getting a legal opinion to sue the previous landscape company for breach of contract, they were paid to complete several jobs that were never completed?

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Let,

I can’t recall ... are you on the BoD?

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Right, George's question. I seem to recall our spa being now for several days when it was re-finished. part of it is time for various applications to dry.

Right now, we, too, have a vendor who didn't finish their contract. I'd say about $500 with of work left. I don't think your PM is nagging them and I'm not on the board anymore to s ask it to get them to finish. I know we'll never use them again, so I think they're just letting it go. Suing seems like an awfully big step unless it's a lot of money.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

1.) Barring any major weather calamities, how long should it take for a in-ground 8 person hot tub to be re-plastered?

A quick google search says after re-plastering chemicals cannot be added for a minimum of 14 days. Cant use a hot tub without chemicals, so there is your answer.

Quote:

Is it worth getting a legal opinion to sue the previous landscape company for breach of contract, they were paid to complete several jobs that were never completed?

Much better to work it out. If the work not completed is only $500, would it be worth it? Lesson learned. Dont pre-pay people, especially trade people until the work is complete. If they require payment in full, pick someone else, even if they cost more. Set up payments in your favor, in installments. When XX is done you get XX dollars. Make the last payment significant enough that they want to complete the job. Or dont pay at all until the job is done.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Steven is right. HOA's are a breeding ground for bad contractors. They prey on PMs that are sending proposal that they do not fully know or understand in many case. The boards are many times not watching and because they are spending other peoples money due diligence is ignored. Having been an honest contractor for most of my 40 years working I can spot a bad one a mile away. I am their worst nightmare. I ask many questions before, more during and inspect everything afterwards. They get paid when we are satisfied with the work and all is complete. If they ask for pre payment several progress payments unless it is a really big job they are telling you they can manage their money. Avoid these guys at all costs. Most contractors who are worth their salt have more work than they can handle. If they need your deposit to buy materials Red flags should go off.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Newly elected in February.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM19 on 03/21/2019 7:08 PM
Steven is right. HOA's are a breeding ground for bad contractors. They prey on PMs that are sending proposal that they do not fully know or understand in many case. The boards are many times not watching and because they are spending other peoples money due diligence is ignored. Having been an honest contractor for most of my 40 years working I can spot a bad one a mile away. I am their worst nightmare. I ask many questions before, more during and inspect everything afterwards. They get paid when we are satisfied with the work and all is complete. If they ask for pre payment several progress payments unless it is a really big job they are telling you they can manage their money. Avoid these guys at all costs. Most contractors who are worth their salt have more work than they can handle. If they need your deposit to buy materials Red flags should go off.

Thank You Steve in Mass I like that advice.. the vendor on the re-plaster said 10 days before we heat the water for the spa, but I will suggest 14.

Yes Mark, I feel the PM, regardless of experience, will just toss us mediocre unless someone speaks up.

We are going to replace our security company and right away the PW said so-in so who worked for the last two security companies we had now works for company C and they are bidding the same.
I told the PM I am not comfortable taking someones re treads and I forwarded him 4 companies to send offers to bid. I am shaking the tree.

I shook the tree so hard that the PM contacted me that the landscape company is going to send a full crew this weekend to perform the services we pay for that they neglected.

I think I'm gonna call that a win.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

So this is your opinion on how long a process should take or did you get an expert opinion? I've worked with many contractors and there is a difference between perceived and reality. I was told my Central Air is a 3 day job. One would think that naturally. It took 2 weeks! That was with ALL of my vents ripped out of the house and no unit. Was it a bad job? No it wasn't. There were complications for my house that were not known till everything was taken out.

Before you go an judge how a job is being done, know some more details to the conditions and reasons. I've learned that along the way. Nothing is as simple as you think it should be.

Former HOA President

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Don't tread too hard, LetA. In our HOA and perhaps most with PMs, only the Board can direct that PM or sometimes the board prez can. No individual director can direct the PM unless the Board authorizes the arrangement.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 03/22/2019 4:54 AM
So this is your opinion on how long a process should take or did you get an expert opinion? I've worked with many contractors and there is a difference between perceived and reality. I was told my Central Air is a 3 day job. One would think that naturally. It took 2 weeks! That was with ALL of my vents ripped out of the house and no unit. Was it a bad job? No it wasn't. There were complications for my house that were not known till everything was taken out.

Before you go an judge how a job is being done, know some more details to the conditions and reasons. I've learned that along the way. Nothing is as simple as you think it should be.

Melissa, I did some poking around. I called a pool builder here in town and asked some questions. This builder has their crew work one job at a time they don't bounce around.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 03/22/2019 7:31 AM
Don't tread too hard, LetA. In our HOA and perhaps most with PMs, only the Board can direct that PM or sometimes the board prez can. No individual director can direct the PM unless the Board authorizes the arrangement.

The PM contacted me yesterday to show me that "see, other properties I manage the pool contractors are slammed this time of year".

So How do I delicately mention that the contractor who started our job is under contract to finish our spa and that we're not interested in excuses and how over booked they are."
I don't think I'm being a d1ck about it, am I?

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Welcome to the world of contracting. It does make sense pool contractors are being overbooked about this time. It's about 2 months till pool opening. So I can't say that's an excuse but maybe a reason. Again having worked for a contractor and hiring contractors over the years, this has been my experience.

Had an issue with a neighbor over our dogs. Decided to install a Wooden fence between us to keep our dogs better separated. Due to storms damages in the area that month, it took 6 weeks for them to start my project. It then was several more days to finish.

Honestly, dealing with contractors is one of the most frustrating things in the world. Your not doing anyone any favors by keep pressing the issue unless it gets to an unreasonable amount of time not considering weather/factors. Which in this case could be scheduling. The contractor may have to wrap up another job before getting to yours.

Former HOA President

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

One is only a fill in the blank if one doesn’t listen to logic, or circumstances, etc.

Repeating something over and over won’t make it come true.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Unless the board appointed you to be the key director on this project, you don't "delicately" do anything. At your next meeting, the board needs to order the PM to have the contractor finish the job.

What if every director gives orders to the PM??? I don't know about all, but most management contracts have in them that the board prez is the liaison between the board & the PM.

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