Shed kit / installation issues

Michael Aos · Dec 13, 2018

We purchased a YardLine shed from Costco in June for $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in August.

We purchased another Yardline shed from Costco in August (before the first one was installed) for the same $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in December.

The first install was awful. When he showed up, the installer worked a couple hours a day for a week and got it mostly done. Took another crew another several days to try and address all the issues caused by the first guy. 10 days of work, spread over about 2 months. It's not pretty, but we finally agreed it was "good enough".

With quite a bit of trepidation, we went forward with the 2nd install. Couldn't hardly have been more perfect. They called 1 day prior. Then called 45 minutes prior to arrive. Arrived on time. Built the whole shed in 1 day and the quality of workmanship is much, much better. It's maybe not 100% absolutely perfect, but darned close. Very nicely done.

There were no adjustments or compensation for all of the issues and time on the first shed.

Now my problem. The 2nd shed was built without the floor upgrade (floor joists are 16" on center instead of 12" on-center) we paid for. The upgrade is advertised as 35% stronger than the standard build.

I'm going to call either the shed company or Costco tomorrow. Haven't decided which yet.

What would be a reasonable ask at this point? I expect they'll offer to refund the $150 floor upgrade I paid for and didn't receive, but I don't really feel like that's enough. I really wanted that upgrade.

I could kinda use another shed...

BoylermanCT · Dec 13, 2018

If you paid for the floor upgrade with closer joists and did not get it, I would ask them to send the right shed over to replace it. My guess is they can swap it out rather easily. I see local companies delivering sheds all the time on flatbeds.

Jchonline · Dec 13, 2018

To add 12" OC to the floor they would have to tear the entire thing down (if this is a standard framing job). I would simply ask if they can correct the mistake....and once they realize they will have to tear a bunch of it down to do so, they will be more likely to give you more of a refund.

Michael Aos · Dec 13, 2018

Jchonline said:
To add 12" OC to the floor they would have to tear the entire thing down

Yes, exactly.

I think the standard floor is rated at 40lbs per square foot.

That seems fine to me right now, but I really wanted the upgrade to "future proof" the shed.

If I'm doing the math correctly, it should be 54lbs per square foot with the upgrade.

Doofy · Dec 13, 2018

Tip it on its side and add additional floor joists. Being 8"OC...you could park a D8 on it.

mark02tj · Dec 14, 2018

They need to do more than give you the $150 "upgrade cost" back. Depending on the construction, it may either need to be torn down. You may or may not be able to tip it over on it's side as Doofy suggests.

After your experience, I'd be hard pressed to buy another shed from CostCo. It looks like these things are "build on site" kits and you're just hiring an installer to do it instead of doing it yourself. I'd take a serious look at a local company that delivers preassembled sheds to your property and installs them directly where you what them. I think they usually refer to these as "skid sheds" since they're typically built on 4x4 or 4x6 posts. These things have to be fairly well built in order to be able to stand up to being transported - both on a trailer and across your yard using their dolly system.

Here's a link to a local to me Craigslist ad. You probably have places similar in the Springs. These guys will build you exactly what you want and place it right where you want it. And, looking at Costco's site vs. these guys - they're pretty comparable.

oosik · Dec 14, 2018

You see Doofy - that's the EXACT same way I would do it also. Either get on one side with my grapple - tip the shed, up on its side - add the needed joists to make it 8" OC OR loop a cable over the shed - pull it up on its side - do the same thing.

Simple Simon - and you are done.

If the plan is to keep the shed - then do something simple, such as this, to fix it. If the object is to have the company pay, pay, pay and then get rid of the shed - just set a match to it and be done with it.

TractorGuy · Dec 14, 2018

Why settle? Insist on what you ordered and paid for.

Doofy · Dec 14, 2018

Sometimes, it is just easier to fix things yourself than to fret and worry about it. The lesson learned, don't buy sheds from Costco.

Diggin It · Dec 14, 2018

The $150 refund would pay for the extra joists to add yourself.

This is why I buy lumber by the piece and build myself.

Michael Aos · Dec 14, 2018

"This product is hand crafted on your lot and moving the building once constructed will void your warranty and potentially compromise the structural integrity; therefore it’s not intended to be moved."

Probably shouldn't be tipped or lifted then either.

Assembly

Diggin It · Dec 14, 2018

^^ Then call them back and have them fix it even if they have to tear it down and start over. Or demand a full refund of at least the add-on and install fees if not the full amount.

Doofy · Dec 14, 2018

Shoddy workmanship should not be tolerated but that seems to be the norm these days. No pride in the jobs they do and very little obvious skill. Sad.

newbury · Dec 14, 2018

Michael Aos said:
<snip>

With quite a bit of trepidation, we went forward with the 2nd install. Couldn't hardly have been more perfect. They called 1 day prior. Then called 45 minutes prior to arrive. Arrived on time. Built the whole shed in 1 day and the quality of workmanship is much, much better. It's maybe not 100% absolutely perfect, but darned close. Very nicely done.

There were no adjustments or compensation for all of the issues and time on the first shed.

Now my problem. The 2nd shed was built without the floor upgrade (floor joists are 16" on center instead of 12" on-center) we paid for. The upgrade is advertised as 35% stronger than the standard build.<snip>

Couldn't hardly have been more perfect.

It's maybe not 100% absolutely perfect, but darned close.

floor joists are 16" on center instead of 12" on-center

Those statements just don't make sense. I don't think 16" and 12" OC are "darned close".
Why did you accept that?
When did you figure out it was 16" vs 12"?
From their viewpoint if you let them get away with 16" OC you may be out of luck.

Is this another example of what happens with legalization of marijuana?

Michael Aos · Dec 14, 2018

I verified that the joists were 16" on center before the installer left on Wednesday night. I couldn't remember at the time whether the upgrade was from 24" to 16", or from 16" to 12". Apparently he didn't know either.

I checked the website for for the correct specs on Wednesday night and measured both sheds on Thursday morning. One has the 12" (like it's supposed to), and the other is 16". I called the installer. He said he builds them all with 16" on-center and to take it up with the office. I called the office and left a voicemail.

Especially compared to the first one, I felt this installation was done very well, except for this one detail.
--

newbury said:
Those statements just don't make sense. I don't think 16" and 12" OC are "darned close".
Why did you accept that?
When did you figure out it was 16" vs 12"?
From their viewpoint if you let them get away with 16" OC you may be out of luck.

Is this another example of what happens with legalization of marijuana?

HillStreet · Dec 14, 2018

Michael Aos said:
We purchased a YardLine shed from Costco in June for $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in August.

We purchased another Yardline shed from Costco in August (before the first one was installed) for the same $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in December.

The first install was awful. When he showed up, the installer worked a couple hours a day for a week and got it mostly done. Took another crew another several days to try and address all the issues caused by the first guy. 10 days of work, spread over about 2 months. It's not pretty, but we finally agreed it was "good enough".

With quite a bit of trepidation, we went forward with the 2nd install. Couldn't hardly have been more perfect. They called 1 day prior. Then called 45 minutes prior to arrive. Arrived on time. Built the whole shed in 1 day and the quality of workmanship is much, much better. It's maybe not 100% absolutely perfect, but darned close. Very nicely done.

There were no adjustments or compensation for all of the issues and time on the first shed.

Now my problem. The 2nd shed was built without the floor upgrade (floor joists are 16" on center instead of 12" on-center) we paid for. The upgrade is advertised as 35% stronger than the standard build.

I'm going to call either the shed company or Costco tomorrow. Haven't decided which yet.

What would be a reasonable ask at this point? I expect they'll offer to refund the $150 floor upgrade I paid for and didn't receive, but I don't really feel like that's enough. I really wanted that upgrade.

I could kinda use another shed...

Hey, its your money and you should get what you paid for. Complete replacement is what you should demand because the work was not done in a workmanlike manner. You should have been more involved in that process when the guy showed up day one.

Jstpssng · Dec 14, 2018

Tell them that you will accept a refund for the upgrade IF they will sign off on the warranty, allowing you to move the shed to fix it yourself. Then buy enough PT 2x6s to build another frame underneath, this time 12" OC with the joists perpendicular to the originals. This will make more work for you but most likely a lot less hassles.
Or do as the poster above suggests and hold them to what they promised and that you paid for. However
my experience with contractors is that if they didn't do it right the first time, it won't be right the second time after they've been paid and are working for free.

fried1765 · Dec 14, 2018

Jstpssng said:
Tell them that you will accept a refund for the upgrade IF they will sign off on the warranty, allowing you to move the shed to fix it yourself. Then buy enough PT 2x6s to build another frame underneath, this time 12" OC with the joists perpendicular to the originals. This will make more work for you but most likely a lot less hassles.
Or do as the poster above suggests and hold them to what they promised and that you paid for. However
my experience with contractors is that if they didn't do it right the first time, it won't be right the second time after they've been paid and are working for free.

A $150 refund for the upgrade is NOT ENOUGH!

Don't fix it yourself!
You don't want them to "fix" it either!
You want them to REPLACE the entire shed!

Diggin It · Dec 14, 2018

^^ Not necessarily. It might be worse next time.

I wouldn't contact the contractor though with the dispute. I'd raise a ruckus with the grocery store I was paying to be a member of.