Ask the Architect

Set some ground rules

Posted

Q. I don’t know if you can help me soon enough, but my contractor has been a no-show, and the employees seem to be doing whatever they want, even using my refrigerator and telephone — a lot. They insulated the back extension we put on, and I’m sure it’s wrong because I can feel an air rush when I stand near it. Since the job is moving at a snail’s pace, even though the contractor gave us a schedule, which is why we picked him, we’re wondering if we should have them take the insulation down and redo it. I remember you once wrote about the paper crossing over the wall beams. I know they didn’t do that, and that’s probably why it should be done over, right?

A. Right. Except that you called right before they were coming back, expecting that I’m like an architectural EMT with a flashing light on the top of my car, ready for the next emergency. There are several things wrong, not just one. First, you picked a contractor because he told you he could keep to a schedule, but did you get that in writing? I recommend a bonus-penalty clause when you’re on a schedule. Offer an incentive for finishing on time and a penalty of non-payment for dragging their feet. And ground rules are nice, like whether they use your bathroom, keep their fingers out of your refrigerator, and use their cellphone. Why would anyone use your home line unless they had something to hide?

I recently got an idea about choosing people to work with. Take them out for a test drive — in their car. Have them drive you to jobs they’ve done. Although you may really be interested in seeing their work, check to see what kind of driver they are. You can see right away who’s a considerate person and who’s going to be a problem, just by the way they drive. One of my clients took me on the highway, and let’s just say that several gestures were made by other drivers as the road-rage client left them in the dust. I wished I’d known sooner what I was in for, too!

Wall beams are wall “studs,” and yes, the paper vapor barrier, to be complete as an air barrier, also should be continuous, like a uniform sheet across the wall, after the insulation is installed. The paper tabs on both the right and left sides should be crossing over and face-stapled to the stud’s face. Don’t let the contractor tell you he doesn’t do that because of problems it creates for the drywall. A simple hammer strike makes the staples lie flat and takes minutes after the room is insulated. Taking insulation down and redoing it is also a problem. Some may come down easily, but if it tears apart, get rid of it. Without that sheet-like barrier, it will be like leaving a window open. Good luck!

© 2015 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.