I had a contractor come teear down a 2nd story deck and start a replacement. I stopped the construction after they did not put up a ledger (frame is lagged directly to the house through the hardi-plank lapboard), set posts in concrete footings 6 " under ground (major water rot waiting to happen), got caught trying to get away with placing floor joists 48" apart, and built the deck frame 2.5" out of square (leaving the floor board over hang 4 inches at one end and 1.5" at the other). This crew had the expertise of a fencing crew at best. My question is: What do you feel is fair compensation for the contractor to just go away and let me finish the deck myself? I have offered to pay retail for the meterials and for the cost of demolishing the deck, (Which is still sitting in a pile in my back yard.) The contractor is asking for materials and compensation for demolition and construction to date. Would you pay for something that must be torn down and re-constructed? What say? I would appreciate input from contractors as well as consumers.
