Morton ploe barn-How square should it be ????

[RichNJKubota]

When I built my conventional stick framed 3-car garage, I know for a fact the roof goes up and down 1/4" here and there. The ridge runs 46'.
From the ground you can just barely tell there is something off. And that's only because I know just where to look. I've tried to point it out to others and they can't see it.
So, my point is, that if my building is off 1/4" and you can't see it, then your building may be way more than 1/4" off.
Since I built my garage I was well aware of the inaccuracies but I'm happy with it. In the end I saved $35k doing it myself.

Rich

 

[Docsknotinn]

Robert, I wanted to respond to a few points you made. Firstly I think you are right about the reps and the crew. I also think you are correct about trying to make it perfect. I do need to reiterate that we only measured 1/3 of 1 side and those 3 trusses were out 1/4 ". I believe that each side is out over 1/2". Not very good work for a company that claims to be the "best" in the industry. I have heard several times that my building is waaaay out in the woods. I guess the point is that the crew slacked off a bit because its not in a high visibility location. I do believe the barn to be structuraly sound. It just doesn't look pretty on the roof line or the facia line. So we must set about the task of determining what is equitable. At this point I have taken 3 days to drive up with a fuel cost alone of over $200. By Monday I expect my legal fees will be around 1k. But I must have the contracts and warrranties read by my counsel to assure that I am not being snookered out of a warranty. As you mentioned I must go on if I feel I need to. You see this IS the quandary. I know that the wood will continue to settle, warp etc so if we start off by looking poor what will I have in 5 years ? They are offering me $500 its probably about 1/10 of what it would cost them to actually make the repairs. Sadly I think the only resolve will be a financial one and it likely will not cover my expenses as you mentioned. Even so I can not bring myself to accept paying top dollar for top quality and receiving less. I know that won't make sense to every one. I value your opinion and those of every one else here. Every ones input has been most helpfull.

 

[cowboydoc]

Even so I can not bring myself to accept paying top dollar for top quality and receiving less.

This is about the only time I have ever not agreed with Robert on something. I know where he's coming from on the commercial end of it but Morton goes out of their way to mak sure everyone knows that they are the best and everyone else is inferior quality to theirs. I like Morton buildings, they do a good job from everything that I have seen. Their problem is they claim to be above and beyond and say they are pretty much perfect. Well if they're not perfect and you pay a premium price then I think you better deliver a perfect building. Good luck with it. I'd do the same things you are doing.

 

[jimgerken]

There's no such thing as a "perfect building". However, If you can see defects from the outside, in the form of wavy roof or walls, it sure could have been better. I agree that the facia plus or minus 1/4" is probably reasonable. The three buildings I have built myself are all better than or equal to that figure, but of course I am building for me, not for hire.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "They are offering me $500 its probably about 1/10 of what it would cost them to actually make the repairs. Sadly I think the only resolve will be a financial one and it likely will not cover my expenses as you mentioned." </font>

Sadly, that's not even the issue in my mind. It's not like you would have accepted their bid for $500 less (or even $5,000 less) for the quality of work they performed because if you were after that level of quality, you wouldn't have called Morton in the first place.

Many people misunderstand that a financial adjustment can resolve any problem. It can not. If you want a certain level of quality of workmanship and won't be satisfied with less and are willing to pay for what you want then that and only that is what you should be expected to accept.

To put dollar values on it, if you wanted a $50,000 job and were willing to pay $50,000 for it then that's what you should get. No one should be able to come and do a $40,000 then expect you to accept it for some reduction in price.

You never asked for the $40,000 job, didn't want the $40,000 job and shouldn't have to accept the $40,000 job because of their ineptitude or laziness. The bitter taste of this job is going to be around a lot longer than the sweetness of getting a few bucks off.

My vote is for either getting what you want. Get another contractor in there with an engineer and let them tell you what is wrong and what needs to be done. Then give the Morton folks a set amount of time to either make arrangements to do this or tell them you'll have these people do it and take the cost of doing so off what you owe them (or expect Morton to pay for it). If they don't respond or respond negatively, get it fixed right, send the bill and see what happens. You'll probably end up letting a judge decide but that's still better than living for years with something you don't like.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Mortons tells people they have the best buildings in the industry but has anyone done any research? Have they compared a Morton brand building to a common contractor who has built a few buildings in his area? What I am trying to say is that just because Morton tells you they have the best building does not make it so. If you buy their building because of their video or literature then you have made a mistake. We could have been building barns for Morton as we had the chance about 7 years ago but it didn't fit with us as we like to do everything and building one type of building all the time would be tiresome. With anything you buy you need to look into the builder. Mortons has their local builder come build your barn but why can't you go look over their work like you would a local contractor who would build your house? For all anyone knows this individual Morton installer could have done a lot worst on other jobs. Go back and find other barns he has installed and see if you can look them over for the same problems. If the other buildings are all sound and "perfect" then you have a complaint. If they are all flawed like yours then they did build you a Morton quality building by their standards. I fail to see why people will pay a premium for a Morton building other then the warranty service? I have some friends who had their barn installed by a Morton contractor about 10-15 years ago. The roof started leaking and the door bent from wind last winter and Mortons guys replaced it all. But his barn looks no different then any of the others I have been in or have built myself except for the M.

As for the roof lines, I can not say anything about it as I am not there to see or measure it. Check out some of their other buildings and go from there.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I have looked at other buildings in the area. I can not see the "wave in the facia lines on the others. I hear what you are saying about Morton but when you advertise you offer a "superier " building that is the best in the buisiness then you offer a express and implied warranty that is what will be delivered, IMO. Right now the only issue on the table is the facia/roof line that is out at least 1/4" from end to end. While it is indeed near perfection to have building within 1/4" on the diagional I don't know if it is "top quality" or "The best in the buisiness" to have a roof that rises and falls 1/4". I can accept that might be average but certainly not superior. They have put some more screws in the roof in areas and this has helped. I just really resent their tactics at this point. Trying to tell me what they think I want to hear Vs the truth. Sneaking out to my property with several inspectors when they knew I wouldn't be there AFTER they agreed to table the meeting. I think one of the biggest problems they have is ego. IE We say were the best so shut up and listen to us. If you dont agree then your just wrong. That is of course a simplification but it is certainly how they have made me feel. I will say one thing for them. All of the subcontractors they hired were top notch. The garage door is perfect as is the cement. I'll need to follow up with my advisors tomorrow. My advice at this point is avoid Morton. Theese guys all work for the corporation and are not subcontractors or any sort of franchise.

 

[holemania]

Well, I've been following Doc's plight and it outrages me that a "reputable" company wouldn't just make it right.

I'll be having a pole barn put up soon....I've already taken some estimates.....there's no way I'd hire Morton to do it now!

In fact, I'll discourage anyone I speak with from using Morton's service.

I believe word-of-mouth still works!

Good luck with it, Doc.

 

[DannyD]

Doc, Indiana, southern part is not that far from MI, come down and look over my building. These good ole boys know how to build a building. You are more than welcome at anytime

 

[srs]

Dave, you should contact Morton headquarters in Illinois and tell them you are not happy with the representative in YOUR area. And don't accept any monies. Make it right!