The Home Improvements Thread (2)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Instead of using a flashing as I was quoted, they used cement (cheaper) for the transition from tile to sheeting. The guy says he will waterproof it and that's how they always do it (no idea why they quoted me differently then).

Is this really acceptable or should I insist on removing it and using the proper materials?
 
chickenbeef said:
Instead of using a flashing as I was quoted, they used cement (cheaper) for the transition from tile to sheeting. The guy says he will waterproof it and that's how they always do it (no idea why they quoted me differently then).

Is this really acceptable or should I insist on removing it and using the proper materials?
Click to expand...
Insist that they use what was quoted for.. you accepted the quote based on what they included in the quote.. Also, ask him why they quoted on the flashing if they always use the cement..
 
chickenbeef said:
Getting my roof sheets replaced and getting a feeling that I'm being bull****.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this or is it just me?

View attachment 914855
Click to expand...
Doesn't look right at all. Correct flashing should be used and waterproof where needed IMO.

Even if waterproofed over the cement, it will crumble after some time, ie remove and start again. The guy needs to do it properly.
 
chickenbeef said:
Instead of using a flashing as I was quoted, they used cement (cheaper) for the transition from tile to sheeting. The guy says he will waterproof it and that's how they always do it (no idea why they quoted me differently then).

Is this really acceptable or should I insist on removing it and using the proper materials?
Click to expand...
Using materials of a dissimilar nature means that they will expand and contract at different rates, and this is a roof, so alternate heating and cooling will happen in the extreme. The cement is very rigid and will crack. That's why flashing products are available that are fluid, and can take the movement between the different materials, like bitumen coated metal flashing.

I wouldn't even bother trying to explain it to him, it is clear that he does not care in the least. Tell him to pack his tools and leave, and get a contractor in that has a basic understanding of physics, and is familiar in the application of contemporary products.
 
PhireSide said:
I bought these a while back that actually look quite nice for the low low price of R17 each

View attachment 914787

Downlights aren't something I look at every day so I am not too fussed with the looks, but they fit nicely and seem decent enough quality. There seems to be a sort of transparent lacquer/film over the holder itself so I'd imagine it should resist tarnishing for a couple of years. It has a small circular clip that keeps the bulb in place. The only issue I had was where a few of my lights were near a truss, so some of the bulbs were too long to fit without the whole thing pressing up against the truss. I swapped out with shorter bulbs and it did the trick just fine.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Click to expand...

I bought them for R17 for 2 at the china mall about 3 years ago (stainless steel). Before that I bought one from lighting warehouse for R50 bucks at the time. Seeing how cheap it was, and not to forget stock price ... I ended up doing my replacing all the kak ugly discoloured white ones for abour R350 all in! Was the best deal I ever got. They still going strong and looking good 3 years later
 
Thank guys, I thought as much that these guys were taking me for a ride.

So the company (let's call them Company A) had good reviews and their quote was extremely detailed on the work they were going to do right down to the materials. They also took detailed pics of the site indicating which areas they were going to touch.

During the week I find out that Company A sub-contracted the work out to another contractor (Company B) without telling me upfront that they were going to do this. I then found out that Company B further sub-contracted out :mad:. Company A backed up these other contractors and said they would take ownership if there are any issues.

Aside from this "cement flashing" issue there were a number of other problems I had during the week with these sub-contractors trying to cut corners but this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Told the guys to pack up and leave and called Company A to express my disappointment.
Someone from Company A was on site this afternoon to inspect the work and sent me a follow up via e-mail acknowledging the issues. They will send out their guys to clean up and complete the rest of the work properly.
They're going to do some waterproofing in my garage (not in the quote) as a courtesy.

Really hope it's smooth sailing from here.
 
chickenbeef said:
Thank guys, I thought as much that these guys were taking me for a ride.

So the company (let's call them Company A) had good reviews and their quote was extremely detailed on the work they were going to do right down to the materials. They also took detailed pics of the site indicating which areas they were going to touch.

During the week I find out that Company A sub-contracted the work out to another contractor (Company B) without telling me upfront that they were going to do this. I then found out that Company B further sub-contracted out :mad:. Company A backed up these other contractors and said they would take ownership if there are any issues.

Aside from this "cement flashing" issue there were a number of other problems I had during the week with these sub-contractors trying to cut corners but this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Told the guys to pack up and leave and called Company A to express my disappointment.
Someone from Company A was on site this afternoon to inspect the work and sent me a follow up via e-mail acknowledging the issues. They will send out their guys to clean up and complete the rest of the work properly.
They're going to do some waterproofing in my garage (not in the quote) as a courtesy.

Really hope it's smooth sailing from here.
Click to expand...

I guess at least they are hopefully sorting it, but it should never have happened, scum of the earth I tell you
 
Steamy Tom said:
I guess at least they are hopefully sorting it, but it should never have happened, scum of the earth I tell you
Click to expand...
Agreed, there's a long list of things they did wrong and always had excuses or shifted blame to the suppliers.

They clearly get away with this stuff at other sites because most people wouldn't know what's going on.
 
chickenbeef said:
Agreed, there's a long list of things they did wrong and always had excuses or shifted blame to the suppliers.

They clearly get away with this stuff at other sites because most people wouldn't know what's going on.
Click to expand...
I've learned over the years that you have to watch these guys like a hawk, and stop them asa issues arise.
A lot of times I see owners letting contractors just get on with the job without any checking and they have no idea what's been done or covered up.

Glad you booted them!
 
chickenbeef said:
Agreed, there's a long list of things they did wrong and always had excuses or shifted blame to the suppliers.

They clearly get away with this stuff at other sites because most people wouldn't know what's going on.
Click to expand...
Out of interest - what have you paid so far?
 
They cast the beam yesterday and installed the braai... guess I'm braaing this weekend? :ROFL:
1600415272277.png
1600415278507.png
 
We could probably start a support forum for contractors not doing what's been agreed, never being on site and ultimately the project running over time and expenses.

Walls are almost up on the 2nd floor, after a 2 day search we have bricks, this is despite the fact that I still have 2000 outstanding on a previous order from another supplier and all other shops stating at least 5 working days to 15 working days delay. Had to get them from Pta though which cost me a bang on transport (ironically still cheaper than my local building superstore 2km away).

In short if you have a project on the go, or will have one in the next few months, and you need cement or bricks it might be worth securing supply now.
2f96c30da19964eeb39b6cb0d3bdfc7e.jpg
 
Mosgi said:
We could probably start a support forum for contractors not doing what's been agreed, never being on site and ultimately the project running over time and expenses.

Walls are almost up on the 2nd floor, after a 2 day search we have bricks, this is despite the fact that I still have 2000 outstanding on a previous order from another supplier and all other shops stating at least 5 working days to 15 working days delay. Had to get them from Pta though which cost me a bang on transport (ironically still cheaper than my local building superstore 2km away).

In short if you have a project on the go, or will have one in the next few months, and you need cement or bricks it might be worth securing supply now.
2f96c30da19964eeb39b6cb0d3bdfc7e.jpg
Click to expand...
We battled a bit with roof trusses, bricks was ok. The roof places are very busy it seems.
I'm 3 weeks in to my planned 10 week build.

So far on time and on budget... fingers crossed.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X