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Submit plansI have a problem with a timber-frame company that I used to build my house. For a start, the head subcontractor had never done a job like this before. He didn’t know how to fit the rafters and roof and had to be replaced by a more experienced man; several of the walls are 25+mm out of plumb. According to the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), the industry acceptance of plumb should be +/- 10mm. When the timber-frame people sent remedial workers to put right their work they did it with a sledgehammer. As I have been unhappy with the workmanship, I have paid the timber-frame fee, bar the final £1,600, holding that back because of issues over their build. They are now threatening me with adjudication for the outstanding £1,600. I’d be grateful for any help or advice.
Thankfully, this is a rare complaint. It’s worth noting that when choosing a timber-frame company it’s important to ensure they are members of a trade association. Members of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), for example, have to adhere to strict standards. Failure to do so could give them the risk of being expelled. With regards to your situation, Joe Martoccia of the UKTFA says: “If the company you used is a member of the UKTFA then the association would look dimly at this issue for a number of reasons:
1. The fact the subcontractor was not qualified. All UKTFA members use approved erectors.
2. Plumb line. One of the conditions of membership to UKTFA is that members make sure the timberframe is checked by a
qualified contracts manager.
3. Witholding balance. You do have the right to hold back the balance if a retention is part of the agreement, but you have to clearly stipulate that the company has not conformed to the agreement and how.” TRADA frameCHECK, a division of TRADA Technology, offers an on site consultancy service. On behalf of TRADA, Paul Newman says: “Without knowing specific details these problems have become legal rather than technical and will be determined by the terms and conditions of the contract signed, even if your reader is not satisfied with the work carried out. She should seek legal advice from an appropriate professional. If that is not the direction she wishes to go in, then frameCHECK could help resolve the technical issues.”
