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The Contract Called For A New Phone Jack Installation

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

The contract called for a new phone jack installation.

And this is where the contractor decided to put it!

Unbelievably, in the kitchen, over the new cook top!

The homeowners weren't home.  It was left to the contractor to decide where to put the new phone jack.

They had wanted it over near the desk.

The contractor needed to get it done.  And this is the spot he selected.

Don't believe that's a phone jack?

Absolutely true!

These clients called me to evaluate the work of a remodeling company prior to their giving up the final payment.

And there is a LOT LEFT TO DO!

This is just one of those things left to do.  Like I said, unbelievable.

And, I'm told, the contractor still doesn't understand what is wrong with it.  There is a receptacle a bit to the right.  How about the fax machine go there?  The contractor maintains that  the job is "substantially complete," and "to a workmanship manner," as stipulated in the contract.  He expects his payment!

My recommendation:  the next time you think the plans for a remodeling project are clear and understood, be sure you are around for some of the final touches!  If you are not, you may come home to a surprise, or two...

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments(15)

Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Bacon flavored phones, what a concept, he may be onto something Jay. It's more probable that it's just on something though.

May 26, 2016 08:17 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Kevin - I remember when mom changed our short phone cord with the long one.  I think a long one is required here so the rest of the kitchen can be reached while cooking, and curl it up on the cooking tool jar!

May 26, 2016 08:35 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Mark the spot...YOU choose Ms Homeowner...YOU Pay...you decide...common sense is not always very commonly applied.

May 26, 2016 08:44 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

If I were the home owner my reply would be take me to court.  No scratch that I would take him to court. 

May 26, 2016 08:49 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is so dumb.  I wonder also why the tile guy didn't say anything.

May 26, 2016 08:59 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

The work order said in the nook over the desk, S&D.  I'm not sure that is here...

I had two pages of information about what needed correction James!

Not the only thing Debbie.  The homeowners did say something and the contractor doesn't think it is a problem.  They brought me in to create a deficiency list.  It was, um, huge.

May 26, 2016 10:19 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Jay! If this is what we can see, what about the items that are behind the visible scene? Enjoy your day!

May 26, 2016 10:40 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jay Markanich Just plain scary to think that there are contractors out there that see nothing wrong with this installation...and they vote too!

May 26, 2016 10:47 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Went there!  Saw that!  Made it all a part of my two page list of deficiencies, Wayne!

Unfortunately S&N.  I have said for years that to vote you need to own property, demonstrate that you pay taxes, pass a test on the Constitution and gubment, and be over 40.  And not entirely tongue in cheek!

May 27, 2016 02:20 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jay- I am dumbfounded.  One of the reasons we never remodeled one of our homes is that we were out of town during the week and could not be there to supervise the work.  How in the world anyone would sign off on this kind of work amazes me. 

May 28, 2016 09:28 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

They haven't signed off, Kathy.  They brought me in!

May 28, 2016 12:22 PM
Stephen Weakley
Nationwide Mortgage Services - Rockville, MD

Jay, this one is on both parties.  They should have stipulated exactly where they wanted the jack installed.  Still, placing it next to the cook top?  Must have been the easiest place for the installer.

May 28, 2016 01:26 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

The plan called for it over the desk Stephen.  Why the guy put it here is unknown.  Still, unbelievable.

May 28, 2016 08:32 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Oh my, that won't do. What moron thought that was a good idea? Good grief.

May 29, 2016 12:29 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

At least there was a receptacle just to the right so the fax machine could be plugged in, Mike.  So all was not lost.

Ummmm...

May 29, 2016 08:52 PM