11/22/2023
It has come to my attention that my workmanship has been called into question on a renovation done in January on a double wide trailer.
There is always a back story. Many people I have not worked for and who do not know me have commented before having all the facts. Some of my clients who do know me and have witnessed my integrity and quality workmanship first hand have contacted me directly to express their concerns. They feel that many comments are disingenuous and malicious in nature and are not based on facts.
So here is some back story…
I did a walk through with the client in December of 2022. I advised them at that time I would do my very best to give them a great product but due to the fact they were asking me to board over the walls and ceiling of a trailer, I could not guarantee against cracking or screw pops. There were several spots where the ceiling panels had sagged due to water coming through from roof leaks. I take pride in my work and in this case went above and beyond to provide the best possible finish. When I arrived on site in early February, there was framing and prep work which had not been completed. Ie: nails and screws still sticking out of studs, severely twisted studs, no attic hatch, electrical boxes hadn’t been moved out to 1/2” off studs. They were still 1/8” (trailer previously had panelling on walls)
All these issues were pointed out during my first site visit.
I addressed and remedied the above free of charge…approximately 2 days of labour.
I then boarded over the pulp board ceiling panels dealing with a significant amount of sagging in several areas.
All cracks and gaps were pre-filled before taping with a quick set compound. Then tape and bead were placed, 3 coats of mud sanded to smooth.
Nevertheless I feel I should address the issues that have been raised…
1st off this renovation was done on a double wide trailer, early 1970’s. This is not a house. Trailers by nature are temporary structures and tend to move a lot. This particular structure sat on a wooden basement. My client signed a contract with me in December of 2022 to board and tape to smooth finish through out.
The bathroom exhaust fan was not working and, at the time I told my client that it needed replacing. I was assured that it would be replaced at a later date.
It is now roughly 9 months after the fact and I see pictures of someone trying to remove the housing on a trailer fan.
So I assume that bathroom has probably been in use, showering and bathing without evacuating the moisture from the area for the majority of the year.
This brings up point #2, the screw pops and the butchered ceiling.
Now remember, this is a trailer-1970’s double wide. The bathroom fan is an in line fan. It is hung in a round 8” pipe. All that is required is to replace the fan assembly. Attempting to remove the housing would cause unnecessary damage to the ceiling.
The screw pops are due to a couple of factors…
Remember all the 16” pulp board panels that old trailers have for a ceiling? I was asked to board over them. Well they are a sponge for humidity.
If the fan had been replaced right away, it would have been possible to keep things dry and the integrity of the ceiling board intact.
Screw pops 10 months later does not constitute negligence or poor workmanship on my part.
As far as possible paint deficiencies-
I was asked to use the paint provided. When I raised concerns, they went unheeded.
When my client was dissatisfied with the finish on the ceilings I returned and recoated the entire job but ended up with the same results. Poor coverage throughout.
The fact of the matter is this: it is impossible to produce a high quality finish with low quality products. Nevertheless, I went back and tried.
A few days later, I received a text saying that my client was having the same problems with their application on the walls. Their biggest problem was that an “all in one” product had been purchased. You know, paint and primer in one can? It’s garbage. It has terrible coverage and very little adhesion. It will literally peel off the wall like paper.
There are many reputable paint manufacturers out there with great warranties. The paint provided was not one of them.
I choose to use Cloverdale paints.
I have been using them for the last 27 years with great success.
They are made right here in Canada. I have had a few warranty issues, but they have been great. When I have had trouble, they have been very quick to rectify the situation. Their warranty is printed right on their product label. It is a 100% satisfaction guaranteed no questions asked. You do not have to go online and search to find their warranty.
As far as my warranty, quality, guarantee, I pride myself in my workmanship. I often go back later to critique my work, and see if I still approve of what I did.
In this situation, I even hired a local reputable furnace and duct cleaning company to come and clean the furnace and all ductwork. They did an amazing job all at no expense to my client.
I have worked for exceptional clients in the Tofield and surrounding areas for the last several years.
I support local charities, and I run promotions and labour giveaways each year to give back to the community I live in.
My suggestion is this: If you own an old double wide trailer, and decide to gut it, you should listen to the advice and recommendations of the reputable contractor you hire and not blow it off.
