Maybe handyman can’t
Question #1
I’m lucky that — though I live in the San Fernando Valley (I’m on the BOD for my HOA) — I’m in Santa Clarita weekly and read your article. I really enjoy all that I learn from it; thank you for all that you do.
Our building is on top of a parking garage, and over the years we have had leaks. Now there are chunks, about the size of tennis balls and grapefruits, falling off/out of this ceiling throughout the parking garage.
The leaks have all been stopped now and we’ve hired a handyman who has repaired these areas, but they just keep falling out. What is this guy doing wrong?
Jim W.
Answer #1
Jim first of all, you need to hire a structural engineer to look at this area, that is No. 1 priority for safety. If this is happening throughout this structure, you have to ensure that the integrity of this podium slab has not been compromised.
The engineer will check the conditions, including the steel, to see what kind of damage has been done to this podium slab. The engineer will also give you a report and requirements for proper repair; this is valuable information.
The concrete that is used is called a Sika product. The area needs to be sand-blasted and, if there is steel in the immediate area, there is a special primer that is used.
The Sika is a structural type of concrete — this is key to proper repair. As with most proper repairs, there is protocol that needs to be followed, and I highly recommend that you follow my advice and make these repairs properly with all of the key licensed people involved.
When literally there are lives at stake, never take shortcuts. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: A handyman is great for turning a screw and light, minor repairs. When it comes to structural issues and larger projects, I encourage all to use licensed contractors who specialize in their fields.
There is no exchange for smaller costs vs. poor quality, especially when it can involve safety. The Contractors State License Board states that a handyman can charge no more than $500 labor/materials per day, and I’ve seen it hundreds of times that these guys are charging thousands of dollars for jobs and ultimately costing the homeowners associations more when they have to then call a licensed contractor to complete the repairs properly.
Question #2
I’m a homeowner here in Santa Clarita and am about as embarrassed as I can be to admit that I hired a handyman to do my backyard with my gardener. As far as the concrete goes, they did a beautiful job, but we did a stamped and colored effect and the color is nowhere near what we wanted.
Unfortunately I went against your advice and paid him because he said that as it dried, the color would come back. What it boils down to is that the color is not right.
I had the handyman who actually did the concrete through the landscaper come out; he came out once and said he’d be back. Now he won’t return my calls. What recourse do I have?
Nancy B.
Answer #2
Nancy, you have zero recourse because you hired a handyman and he’s not licensed. Again, folks, don’t do this. If you’ve got a job of any significance, anything over $500, hire a licensed contractor. Make sure that he’s got general liability insurance and, bigger than that, workers compensation insurance.
You risk so much by having unlicensed people not only taking your money and doing poor work, but by having them on your property where you are at risk with an uninsured worker.
Make sure you get, directly from their carrier, the certificate for proof, and if the work you are having done requires a permit, be sure that has been secured, too.
In a case where all of these steps have been taken and you find yourself unhappy with the work, you’d then have recourse to go back to the contractor. A licensed and insured contractor is not likely to leave you stranded, as his or her license is flagged if you contact the Contractors State License Board.
Most upstanding contractors will protect their good name and make it right. As far as your particular project here, you can reach out to me and I can give you the name of a local company that does dying of concrete.
This firm does fabulous work and it looks brand-new when it is finished. I’ve used this company many times and have been a very satisfied customer. Good luck. Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction.com.