Excavator hits post

[TheMan419]

So just blowing off steam. We built a pole barn for horse stalls. Had excavator out to put dirt in the barn to raise the floor about a foot and a half.

Well he hit one of the posts for the stall front. Sheared it right in half. Also hit the side of the barn when he was bringing skid steer into barn. Looks like overhead door will have to be removed and that post replaced. Thankfully the excavator was upfront and asked me to send him the bill.

If it is not one thing it is another.

 

[MossRoad]

Ouch!

At least he fessed up. :thumbsup:

 

[RNeumann]

Good timing. I was just on another thread and asked a question about insurance. Hearing this reinforces my opinion. Glad he was up front and offered to cover it.

 

[KYErik]

Its good that he immediately offered to pay for his mistakes. Maybe he needs to visit the eye doctor

 

[TheMan419]

Yeah everyone makes mistakes. It is how we fix them that shows the world who we are.

 

[MossRoad]

... It is how we fix them ....

"I fixed my dog... I repaired the TV!"

:laughing:
We had an instructor in electronics class that used to say that... :laughing:

 

[turnkey4099]

I hope he comes through on the promise to pay. I've been stung on that before. I would be contacting my insurance agent so that the claim is at least on record.

 

[TheMan419]

Well I finally got home last night to inspect the damage. The steel on the outside of the barn is all bent up. That should be an easy repair.

Inside the frame for the door is a 6x6 post set in the ground. Sistered to that is a 2x6 which does not go below grade. Then the track for the overhead door is attached to that 2x6.

I realize they will have to take off that 2x6 to inspect the post underneath, but it appears the damage is limited to the 2x6. The overhead door will still have to be removed to replace that 2x6, but that is a heck of a lot easier than replacing the post.

As for recovery of the damages I have not paid the guy for the work done, and won't until I know the costs to repair. He has already said deduct from that. There is more work to be done when the ground dries up for this excavator. So I am sure he will treat me right so that he will get the known future business.

However good idea to contact the insurance company on my end so we can make sure there is a claim on file.

 

[LD1]

Hopefully the rest of the work you need him to do is away from the building

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Yeah everyone makes mistakes. It is how we fix them that shows the world who we are.

Yes sir. You hit the nail on the head there. I several years ago did dirt work for a company and ended up bought my own highlift or track loader. I got several contracts in a subdivision doing back filling and ruff yard work. Kept me busy after work and weekends. Most was with a company and they had a general contractor I did most of the dealings thru. I never back filled a basement unless it had at least the floor on it. Well this general came up to me after backfilling one house and it had a basement door in the back on the corner of it with a retaining wall that came out from the corner about 4 or so feet then turned 90 degrees and went along the back of the house. Was just as high as the basement wall. No steps or framing for the steps. I didn't backfill the retaining wall. He came up to me and ask why. Told him it will end up against the house if I back fill it and it rains because I would have to back fill it almost to the top for grade. He insisted I fill it. I told him scratch that on a piece of paper and sign it saying you take responsibility and I will. Well he did and I backfilled it. Week later I went back by there and they were pulling the wall out with a backhoe. The company man was there and flagged me down and told me I was responsible for the damage. Didn't say a word and got the piece of paper the general signed and company man didn't say a word. Had a different general to work with after that day.

There are Cowboys out there that just go balls to the wall and do before thinking. Have to watch out for them. There are those that are operators and those that think they are. When they start tearing up things they are the ones that think they are.

 

[TheMan419]

Hopefully the rest of the work you need him to do is away from the building

Lol. Actually need the final grade done all around the barn. We also have a second barn built. It needs final grade done inside as well. However it has 12 foot doors so should be good there.....

 

[TheMan419]

So excavator emailed me last night. He wants to come out with a guy he knows that does barn builds to see how much the repair will cost. So to me that shows he wants to make things right. I am 99% sure I will NOT let that guy do the repair. However I think the excavator has the right to have his guy look at it so when my guy says the repair will cost $x he knows he is not getting ripped off.

 

[Sodo]

I am 99% sure I will NOT let that guy do the repair.

Depends how much experience the guy has. Does he have references? Other contractors are going to realize they have the excavator by the b*lls, and jack up their price. If theres a dispute you may have trouble collecting. And if they rip him off there may be a dispute.

I would make it very clear to the excavator guy that if he wants you to choose HIS guy, the work has to be good, and prompt. Excavator guy sounds standup, possibly his associates are too. If there's any "good fortune" to be had, the "good fortune" is your building restored to original with not much fuss. If he will look you in the eye while discussing this, it's a good sign.

Don't underestimate the time it takes to call and meet with other contractors. Some of them don't show either, which still takes your time. Some of them only show if they know there's a lot of money available and you don't necessarily want those guys either.

 

[4570Man]

I think he should be able to hire anyone he wants. Your only concern is getting your barn fixed right in a timely manner. How it gets to that point is his call IMO.

 

[KYErik]

Did he already price the job in writing? Hopefully he won't say, "Well, I was going to charge you $5K for all my work, but I will just charge you $3K and let you keep that $2K to repair the barn with." When all along, in his mind, he was just going to charge you $3K.

 

[MossRoad]

I think he should be able to hire anyone he wants. Your only concern is getting your barn fixed right in a timely manner. How it gets to that point is his call IMO.

I disagree with that. Its a new barn. I'd want the same contractor that did the new barn to put it back to new condition.

 

[Rustyiron]

I think he should be able to hire anyone he wants. Your only concern is getting your barn fixed right in a timely manner. How it gets to that point is his call IMO.

:thumbsup:
keywords "fixed right & timely matter". He should have the opportunity to repair it, you still hold the cards not having paid him yet.

 

[TnAndy]

Was doing the siding/soffit on an owner built house once. Owner's brother shows up with a Bobcat to move fill around in the basement (daylight type from about midway to one end), and proceeds to knock the entire end wall of cinder block out in the yard....house didn't fall in, but did sag a bit on that end.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Excavator operator mangled the house eaves trough. He is normally a top notch operator, but I guess was feeling ill and on cold meds. I wasn't too happy with his " oh you can bang that out" response, but the weather was closing in and I needed to back fill my foundation waterproofing project, so I just let the matter rest, happy to have him there at all.

Had a new trough put on, and the snow and ice falling off of my new steel roof damaged that a few weeks ago. Sometimes I wonder, why I even try!

 

[ovrszd]

:thumbsup:
keywords "fixed right & timely matter". He should have the opportunity to repair it, you still hold the cards not having paid him yet.

I agree. After all, if it's fixed to your standards why would it be bad for the destroyer to hire the repairer?