twisted bit

I finished a house that another contractor started but would not finish. Him and the GC had an ugly parting of the ways, so even though he was paid in full for the whole job, he only did the rough wire. I was asked to finish it. This house was for a investor, not a custom home, it sat empty for about 2 years before the investor rented the house. The investor called the GC and said that rentors called and said that they were having problems with bath outlets and outside lights. Replaced 2 gfi outlets and 3 light bulbs to fix problems. Investor said that I should have not billed him for repairs,should be warranty. I fell that my 1 year should have been for the time I billed GC, not from the time house was rented. Am I right or wrong?

nitro71

I would say as long as workmanship was not the problem that the owner should be billed. Materials installed at a professional level are warranteed for a year normally. Workmanship is usually as long as they can hunt you down.

Chris1971

I feel that you're justified in billing him. What if it sat vacant for five years and you get the same call? Some home investors are really cheap Ckers!!!!!

Electric_Light

What does the contract say? Who wrote it and who are the involved parties? Did the warranty terms clearly stipulate the effective date that is mutually agreed between you and the GC in writing?

From what you wrote, it sounds like you subbed for the GC and the owner followed up with the GC rather than initiating an independent contract with you, so unless it was arranged as such, the billing is something that is addressed between the GC and the client.

brian john

What was wrong with the items, were they defective or was this a workmanship issue (as noted)?

Who called you for the repair?

Do you ever think you will get any additional work from the investor?

Do you think there is a snowball chance in HE*L you will get any money from the investor?

What was the legitimate cost, what would you normally bill for this?

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Brian John
Leesburg, VA

Mr Rewire

Were the items defective when installed?Did you preform operational tests after installation? Is this the hill you want to die on?.... This is somewhat of an ethical delima do you charge for the repair of something that was not in use until after your warranty had expired? I exclude light bulbs in my warranties so you basically are just dealing with the two GFIs.Myself I would write it off and move forward. The one thing I have found in business is make someone happy and they might tell a friend but make someone mad and they will tell the world. If the future I would recommend a written warranty with a start date and a stop date and spell out what you do and don't cover like light bulbs.

jwjrw

I think I would of had who was paying for the service call worked out before I went to the house. At this point it is a service call as it is outside of the warranty period. My contract says 1 year on materials. End of story. But if it's a good customer or I'm in a giving kinda mood I may give a discount or just fix it. He should of walked his fat a** down there before he paid you and checked everything out. Made sure everything worked. Or accept that gfi's can go bad weather they have been used or not. Lightning could of even took em out.

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The more I learn the less I seem to know......

Energy control

Warranty is for 1 year period. Its stated in all my contracts. Thought Some times I go out and just do it for free if the costumer has been or has potential to bring me more buss.

ceb58

I agree. Has the GC given you more work in the last 2 years? If he had and there were no problems then yes do it an go on. If not then bill for it. The house has sat for 2 years. Who knows the lamps that were out weren't turned on and left on until they went out. As for the GFCIs as stated before weather,lightning who knows. If they were operating as should when they had the CO then its not a warranty issue this long after the fact.