• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Need to fire my GC

Your next step has already been said, get a lawyer.

Everything else people are posting are things you typically see in the industry which may or may not apply based on the specifics of your contracts.
 
With the details provided here it looks as though the blame and liability can be shared between yourself and the GC. But, this is a building code forum, not a legal forum, so any information you gather here should be taken with a truck load of salt.
 
Lipets said:
To make matters worse a lot of the floor was 7"-9"
Click to expand...
I don't need a laser to spot waves from 2" to 9". If the rebar was chaired it should still be a visible tripping hazard. Of course you said that there is fiberglass and that could mean that there's no rebar.... it's a dance floor.

Lipets said:
Today looking thru all aspects of what the GC was involved in I checked the termite treatment certs give to the building inspector.
The application was less than half the required application rate.
Click to expand...
So what are you going to do about that? Last I heard, termites don't eat steel.

JMarsh gave you good advice and e hilton pointed out why you should follow that advice.

The guy that you hired to run the job is just taking your money. He might know how to build and he might not. Either way he's got to go. Now that the job is messed up it could be difficult to attract talented help. You hiring all of the subs doesn't help.
 
Last edited:
Lipets said:
Again you didn't read correctly he was not the lowest bid they all with a few $$
The city inspected the foundation for rebar, desity and termite certs.
I negotiated the contracts because most GC's mark up those costs or get kickbacks
One GC wanted all payments to go thru him so he could pay subs, the bank wouldn't have it
He wanted to skim money somehow I think
Also most GC use the same subs without shopping for more competitive bids, they are too lazy to call around and get comfortable using that subs.
For example
Plumbing bids were $18-$55,000
Elect $32-$48
Drywall $30-$70,000
Steel manufacturers $235K-385K
I visited there jobs in progress and had references, did judgement searches and confirmed they were licensed.

So yes I shopped, why shouldn't I, sounds like you want to keep your owners in the dark like mushrooms.
Click to expand...
You are in so far over your head...

Sounds like you hired a CM, not a GC. It is very typical for a GC to pay subs directly, your bank wouldn't have it? Um, ok, every other bank (title company typically) is ok with that standard arrangement. We have lien waivers to ensure the subs were paid.
Mark-up is how GCs make money. If you don't pay them, you don't get the service. Clearly you are not capable of supervising a project, you can't even get out of the ground without significant problems.

It's you, you're the problem.
 
So here’s my take on why it went bad. Lipets hired a gc but took away all of his incentives, which essentially made him a subcontractor. GC says … if the customer wants to play that game, then i will do what i am told, i’m not going to volunteer any information or give unsolicited advice.
 
Lipets said:
I contact with a GC to simply oversee a 20,000 ft metal building in Florida
I negotiated all contracts with subs.
Click to expand...
Sounds to me like you got what you asked for. What is your experience that came to bear when negotiating with sub-contractors?

Instead of calling people names perhaps you should take stock of the position you find yourself in. You, and only you, are responsible for your dilemma.

I have heard it said that if you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging. Had you asked for advice at a forum prior to digging the hole, it might not be so deep. Your dismissive attitude is perhaps apparent in person and you attract demons. Have a heart to heart talk with someone who loves you.
 
Last edited:
Mark K said:
Talk to a lawyer.
Work with your engineer to define the repairs that will be necessary to complete your project. This will need to be submitted to building department. You will also need the revised permit drawings to tell your new contractor what to do.
Click to expand...
This is the correct answer that I would agree with.

You can file a compliant with DBPR against your contractor which will be the most effective thing you can do to get his attention.


Now, with that being said, I would love to know what jurisdiction allowed an owner-builder permit for a commercial building. You wanted control, you got control yet you did not have the ability to control. Lesson learned.
 
Last edited:
IBC 1705.3 exempts "Nonstructural concrete slabs supported directly on the ground" from special inspections.

Did you have a written contract and specifications? The often have language requiring a (sub)contractor to inspect work that his work will go over and report discrepancies to the Owner.
 
Paul Sweet said:
IBC 1705.3 exempts "Nonstructural concrete slabs supported directly on the ground" from special inspections.

Did you have a written contract and specifications? The often have language requiring a (sub)contractor to inspect work that his work will go over and report discrepancies to the Owner.
Click to expand...
It may exempt the special inspections, but any reasonable owner does it anyway. Its a small price to pay to prevent things like this from happening.
 
Lipets said:
Of course U get get building permits without them
No third party request made on plans, never heard of that
Click to expand...
3rd party (aka independent) testing agencies hired directly by owner are so common in commercial construction the fact you never heard of them speak volumes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top