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Post Script about how this project
ended
Notice the special joist
arrangement underneath the lower deck all around the perimeter in the top photo that is perpendicular
to the facia everywhere, so that it looks nice when seen from below. That's a
lot of extra work which I did on my own volition. I had intended to put hefty 2x2
white-painted
Alaskan cedar lattice with 5"x5" openings as recessed skirting fastened to
the support posts below, running all along the entire underside of the deck,
most of it 12 ft. high, and have the deck appear cantilevered out over it.
But here's what happened: one weekend before I
was finished and while I was gone, the owners
filled the larger deck from wall to rail with hefty outdoor furniture -- because it was Fathers Day and they were entertaining
their son and his family -- 3 big tables with
large umbrellas, about 20 cushioned chairs, a big hammock and a cushioned
glider sofa under an off-set 10x10 umbrella. When I returned Monday morning, I couldn't even move
my body among all
this stuff. That's why you don't see a photo of the large deck surface from
the top.
I asked the owners, politely but firmly, to remove
all the furniture or have it removed by Tuesday so I could continue the work
that was still incomplete up there. They told me that if I didn't like the
stuff there, to remove it myself -- they just didn't have time for doing it.
Two weeks went by and the deck remained full of patio furniture. Not only was there nowhere to put all this stuff, but their demeanor
clearly
indicated that they intended to punish me because I had
passed the contracted completion date -- so they were imposing their occupancy
under the self-determined notion that they had a perfect right to do so
because I was late in completing the project.
However at that point I could legally terminate the
project because there is a clause in my contract's Terms & Conditions explicitly
covering this action -- and I did just that. It's the same clause that prevents
owners of a newly built house from moving in before the builder hands it
over. Even though you may own it, you have given up the right to occupy it
until the builder claims he's finished and you have paid him in full. Only
at that point does the project change hands.
The owners had breached the contract by moving onto
the deck before it was finished and refusing to vacate it after having been
given notice to do so.
In California, a project is permitted to be late
without penalties as long as the contractor is continuing to work on it
without interruption or abandonment.
The Davises didn't pay me the final payment
either. So I sold the
their beautiful lattice that I had prefabricated for the project to make up
for it. Some of that ended up here
in this other project.
I tell you all this because it's a good lesson for people
who try bullying their contractor, especially one that's been around the
block a few times like me -- it can backfire on you just like it did for the Davises. They lost
any claim to their beautiful skirting and I lost only the opportunity of
photographing the main deck.
Be so
advised: if you breach any one of the terms or conditions in my
contract, your project will be terminated abruptly. Don't come to
me with the attitude that I am your employee and you're my boss --
legally you have no jurisdiction over me -- I'm an independent contractor by
law. If you have a question, I'll answer it, but my work speaks for
itself.
My policy is this: You treat me nice and I guarantee you
my best work as long as you do. But if you become belligerent and start trying to intimidate me
or showing me that you're the boss, the
project terminates and I'm gone for good. I have a pleasant demeanor most of
the time but I'm no wimp when it comes to dealing with this kind of
treatment from anyone. If I could stand to be someone's lackey, I'd be
working for some company and making some money most of the time. My site
here shows that I'm not a prostitute for the money.
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