Trusses delivered - problems

[TheMan419]

Just an observation...you most likely wanted a few buildings and hired a builder to erect them (I know a guy that tried it on his own and broke his back in the process...came off the roof in a light drizzle)...your GC most likely dealt with the truss people. IMHO, don't leave either of them off the hook until you get what you paid for. And a dirty little secret is that the cost of a truss is???...(hint...not much)...probably costs more to deliver than what is in the materials (that is the magic of trusses).

Oh no it is not over yet. However right now I need the GC on my side to get the problem solved. Then we can talk about what kind of a discount I want as a result.

 

[teejk]

Oh no it is not over yet. However right now I need the GC on my side to get the problem solved. Then we can talk about what kind of a discount I want as a result.

Did you order the trusses on your own (would be rare IMHO...the people that build these things for a living have their own lingo and supply chain for trusses and steel) or is the truss supplier a sub of the gc? If the latter, stay out of any battle between the GD and sub. You contracted with the GC. Now in the rare instance where you contracted directly with the truss people for some reason, I dunno what to say...these structures get built pretty quickly but that requires a "turn-key" contract to avoid any finger pointing where you lose.

 

[TheMan419]

Did you order the trusses on your own (would be rare IMHO...the people that build these things for a living have their own lingo and supply chain for trusses and steel) or is the truss supplier a sub of the gc? If the latter, stay out of any battle between the GD and sub. You contracted with the GC. Now in the rare instance where you contracted directly with the truss people for some reason, I dunno what to say...these structures get built pretty quickly but that requires a "turn-key" contract to avoid any finger pointing where you lose.

Nope I did not order trusses. I signed a contract with the GC to put up a building. They determined that building would need trusses and ordered them.

Talked to the GC today. They are having a meeting with me, the GC and a rep from the truss company on my property.

That is where the truss company will learn what I do for a living (hit I know how to sue people).

 

[Snobdds]

I would not hesitate to put them up.

I built a cabin this summer and had to haul up wood for a month straight before I could build. I tarped everything the best I could, but water still got to some of the wood. I built the trusses for the roof myself and every piece of 2x8 has some warpage to it. I just trued them up and nailed them straight to the top plate as I went along. Once the plywood is over the trusses, a person would never know.

It's wood, a good carpenter can fix anything. Never have I ever built something where the wood wasn't wet for some period of time. It has never been an issue.

 

[teejk]

Nope I did not order trusses. I signed a contract with the GC to put up a building. They determined that building would need trusses and ordered them.

Talked to the GC today. They are having a meeting with me, the GC and a rep from the truss company on my property.

That is where the truss company will learn what I do for a living (hit I know how to sue people).

Please don't use the "lawyer card" unless absolutely needed...it gives your profession a black-eye (sometimes needed, sometimes not...IMHO usually leans heavily towards the former). Fact of the matter is that if you hired an experienced pole-barn builder, they deal with "conditions" all the time. And from experience I can tell you that they do not like "warranty claims" (e.g. the guy that built my 56x30 shop explained why they no longer pre-drilled holes in the steel...turned out that the heat from the drill bit caused pre-mature failure). If you hired a qualified GC and they get a bad truss or two or three, they'll order new ones.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Are you shifting to adversarial mode when others are still in "what happened" and "how to fix it" mode.

 

[teejk]

Are you shifting to adversarial mode when others are still in "what happened" and "how to fix it" mode.

:thumbsup:

 

[Citydude]

Are you shifting to adversarial mode when others are still in "what happened" and "how to fix it" mode.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Nope I did not order trusses. I signed a contract with the GC to put up a building. They determined that building would need trusses and ordered them.

Talked to the GC today. They are having a meeting with me, the GC and a rep from the truss company on my property.

That is where the truss company will learn what I do for a living (hit I know how to sue people).

You've got nothing to gain by attending that meeting.

 

[/pine]

Just my opinion/observation based on decades of experience with wooden trusses...and the information supplied by the OP...if the GC is more concerned about some mud or wet trusses than he is about the location in reference to the building...either the "mud" or low spot the trusses are in now is actually worse than originally described...OR...the GC is not very experienced with wood trusses...

 

[teejk]

Just my opinion/observation based on decades of experience with wooden trusses...and the information supplied by the OP...if the GC is more concerned about some mud or wet trusses than he is about the location in reference to the building...either the "mud" or low spot the trusses are in now is actually worse than originally described...OR...the GC is not very experienced with wood trusses...

The GC has not yet opined on the situation. I am of the opinion that everything will be "just fine" if the OP hired an experienced pole barn builder (IMHO it's a mix of art and science...I watched my building go up from the ground with my hand on the 911 button on my phone).

 

[TheMan419]

So just got off the phone with the GC.

Resolution is fantastic. Truss company is sending someone to look at all the trusses. They will either repair or replace as needed. IF repaired we will get an engineered stamped drawing indicating the repair.

Also the weather has pushed the build back by about 4 days now. So the GC is sending a second crew to work on the barns this week to get thing back on "time". I was clear with the builder that I did not consider the weather delay a problem, things happen.

As for the builder I have to give them my highest recommendation at this point. They have taken care of everything better than what I could have asked for.

Arnold Lumber out of Decatur Indiana. They build all over Indiana, large parts of Ohio and Michigan. Not sure where else they go, but if you need a pole barn put up at least call these guys and get a quote.

As for the lawyer card, no never played until needed. Always glad to have it though. More importantly have a friend who works at Notre Dame. He knows a bunch of engineers there. One who builds wood truss bridges in 3rd world countries in the summer. So had a long talk with her about what to look for and what resolution I needed from the truss company Truss company is stepping up to the plate (or so it seems time will tell).

Ultimately happy camper right now.

Thanks all for the advice.

 

[EddieWalker]

That's great news. Sounds like you have a very good GC who cares about what he is doing. There is nothing worse then those use damaged materials hoping to get away with it, or feel that "good enough" is what the client paid for. I don't understand that attitude when hiring somebody, and get even more confused when other recommend accepting something less then what you paid for. You bought brand new trusses, and because of a delivery error, you could of ended up with damaged trusses if your GC hadn't of been on top of his game. Congrats to you and your GC in resolving this to the best possible outcome.

 

[/pine]

That's great news. Sounds like you have a very good GC who cares about what he is doing. There is nothing worse then those use damaged materials hoping to get away with it, or feel that "good enough" is what the client paid for. I don't understand that attitude when hiring somebody, and get even more confused when other recommend accepting something less then what you paid for. You bought brand new trusses, and because of a delivery error, you could of ended up with damaged trusses if your GC hadn't of been on top of his game. Congrats to you and your GC in resolving this to the best possible outcome.

I agree but just because some trusses have some mud on them and may not look "brand new" does not mean they are damaged etc...and does not mean a contractor is trying to get away with something...anyone that's been to more than a two truss rodeo knows wood engineered trusses (pressed plates etc.) are most vulnerable and susceptible to damage after they are unbanded and being moved around before they are set and braced...

A curious question for the OP...just curious if the GC supplies you with copies of lien wavers from any/all material suppliers? ( a lawyer will understand the significance)...IMO this is a sign of a quality contractor as much as the quality of the work they produce and the reputation that precedes them...

 

[TheMan419]

I agree but just because some trusses have some mud on them and may not look "brand new" does not mean they are damaged etc...and does not mean a contractor is trying to get away with something...anyone that's been to more than a two truss rodeo knows wood engineered trusses (pressed plates etc.) are most vulnerable and susceptible to damage after they are unbanded and being moved around before they are set and braced...

A curious question for the OP...just curious if the GC supplies you with copies of lien wavers from any/all material suppliers? ( a lawyer will understand the significance)...IMO this is a sign of a quality contractor as much as the quality of the work they produce and the reputation that precedes them...

They are providing proof of payment for suppliers.

I am not worried about the truss LOOKING muddy, just it functioning in the manner in which it was designed.

I could not be more pleased with the GC at this point in time. Of course we still have to have the truss company follow through on what they are telling us they will do.

The GC's comment to me was "we buy a lot of trusses from these folks"..... so presumably the truss company knows what side of the bread the butter is on.

 

[EddieWalker]

I agree but just because some trusses have some mud on them and may not look "brand new" does not mean they are damaged etc...and does not mean a contractor is trying to get away with something...anyone that's been to more than a two truss rodeo knows wood engineered trusses (pressed plates etc.) are most vulnerable and susceptible to damage after they are unbanded and being moved around before they are set and braced...

A curious question for the OP...just curious if the GC supplies you with copies of lien wavers from any/all material suppliers? ( a lawyer will understand the significance)...IMO this is a sign of a quality contractor as much as the quality of the work they produce and the reputation that precedes them...

As a contractor, I think it's very important to provide new, good looking materials to my client. When buying Sheetrock the other day, I rejected several sheets that where perfectly fine, but had some ugly coloring to them. My client doesn't know this, but in my opinion, hanging those ugly sheets would have looked bad until I had them painted. I feel the same about the trusses in the mud. I have no idea if they are damaged it not, but since the using of them is of some concern, the right thing to do is replace them with new ones that look new. It's what he paid for!!!! I also don't believe in trying to talk a client into ugly materials. Its counter productive to the overall job, and good referrals in the future. It's their money, I give them what they want.

 

[/pine]

They are providing proof of payment for suppliers.

I am not worried about the truss LOOKING muddy, just it functioning in the manner in which it was designed.

I could not be more pleased with the GC at this point in time. Of course we still have to have the truss company follow through on what they are telling us they will do.

The GC's comment to me was "we buy a lot of trusses from these folks"..... so presumably the truss company knows what side of the bread the butter is on.

Thanks for the reply...I'm still curious about the distance the trusses are from the building and if that is any pert of the issue (not just the mud)...

...I have no idea if they are damaged it not, but since the using of them is of some concern, the right thing to do is replace them with new ones that look new...

For real? Even if the engineer signs off on the muddy trusses you would replace them out of your own pocket just because of the ascetics of a pole barn?...I understand about fine points and details of pleasing clients and producing quality and craftsmanship in the product...but in over 40 years of being in the industry I have to say this is extraordinary...IMO...

 

[teejk]

So just got off the phone with the GC.

Resolution is fantastic. Truss company is sending someone to look at all the trusses. They will either repair or replace as needed. IF repaired we will get an engineered stamped drawing indicating the repair.

Also the weather has pushed the build back by about 4 days now. So the GC is sending a second crew to work on the barns this week to get thing back on "time". I was clear with the builder that I did not consider the weather delay a problem, things happen.

As for the builder I have to give them my highest recommendation at this point. They have taken care of everything better than what I could have asked for.

Arnold Lumber out of Decatur Indiana. They build all over Indiana, large parts of Ohio and Michigan. Not sure where else they go, but if you need a pole barn put up at least call these guys and get a quote.

As for the lawyer card, no never played until needed. Always glad to have it though. More importantly have a friend who works at Notre Dame. He knows a bunch of engineers there. One who builds wood truss bridges in 3rd world countries in the summer. So had a long talk with her about what to look for and what resolution I needed from the truss company Truss company is stepping up to the plate (or so it seems time will tell).

Ultimately happy camper right now.

Thanks all for the advice.

The "pro's" do this stuff all the time in all kinds of weather (other than they avoid wind for obvious reasons...Google "para-sailing" and add in "sharp edges/decapitation" to your search). If you have the stomach for it, you might want to see your building go up (not for the faint of heart when you watch them crawling around your roof)! I think they wear special shoes that let them do what they do...certainly not a job for me. As I get older something in the inner-ear has decreased the height of the ladders I use!

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the reply...I'm still curious about the distance the trusses are from the building and if that is any pert of the issue (not just the mud)...



For real? Even if the engineer signs off on the muddy trusses you would replace them out of your own pocket just because of the ascetics of a pole barn?...I understand about fine points and details of pleasing clients and producing quality and craftsmanship in the product...but in over 40 years of being in the industry I have to say this is extraordinary...IMO...

Why are you making up stuff that I didn't say?

 

[TheMan419]

Thanks for the reply...I'm still curious about the distance the trusses are from the building and if that is any pert of the issue (not just the mud)...

Oh I am sure that is part of the problem. They are 300 ft from the actual building site. Thankfully they can get from the pile of trusses to the building site without going over my septic field or through the actual nice part of my yard. They can remain in what was a corn field. I am sure the builder is NOT happy about that, but that is not my fight to fight.

As for watching them build the barn I intend to be here as much as my schedule allows. I can work from home for a good bit of things that I do. I would love to watch them set the 60 foot trusses.

For the record the steel for the sides and roof was delivered yesterday. That guy had no problem backing his semi into the driveway. Since we had dry weather the last several days he could drive right up next to the building. Used his crane to drop the steel right near the building site. Driver was a nice guy, and I am glad that I got to talk to him. Always interested in learning.