I am a single parent who is acting as her own General Contractor. I have subcontracted work with Stillwater Ridge Excavation (Mike Zaremski). My problem: they poured my foundation in early July. My back 10 inch foundation wall collapsed August 4th. And, at this present time it is still down. The basement was studded out with brand new wood that has been covered with mud and water since that date. The day the wall collapsed, Stillwater removed all debris/evidence within 3 hours; which was prior to my insurance company's arrival.
A representative from Code Enforcement came out to take pictures for the City Engineer who was not available at that time. When Code Enforcement arrived, later in the day, the wall debris/evidence had been removed. Therefore, no physical assessment of the site, or wall collapse, was able to be completed by City Engineer or the Insurance Company. Stillwater states that they are not at fault, that it was An Act of God and due to hydro-static pressure of the water in the ground that caused the wall to collapse after all the rains that we had in July.
Let me give you more information prior to the wall collapsing. The entire basement was framed, two days later I went into the basement to find the back wall covered with a moisture barrier that I had not prior requested. Mike stated he felt that it was needed if I was going to make it a living space. Two days later, he tells me that the same wall needed a wafer barrier on the outside of the wall as an added protection. They dug 9 ft down and 3 ft out from the wall and placed this barrier. Friday he backfilled. Saturday I heard water in the basement, checked the French drain and noted water.
I called my neighbors over to check this out. They informed me that no water should be in a NEW French drain, and I should put a call into the excavator on Monday. Monday as I was calling Mike; my plumber called to inform me the back wall basement collapsed. The framers who were subcontracted by Mike caught me at site about three days later and informed me that Mike (Stillwater) had accidently hit the wall while backfilling. Mike continues to state that it was caused by An Act of God. Also, no residual re-bar was noted anywhere from where the wall collapsed.
Another highlight is whether my drains underneath the house are really connected to the catch basins that were installed by Bryce Realty's handymen (not certified for this type of work). Code Enforcement did not see the connection but signed off on it. I have since had to hire private engineers to redesign the wall and a Drainage Migration System which has been approved by the City. Mike (Stillwater) requested the new for wall design be completed first to get started. They were given to him on 8/15/08. Upon receipt of new the wall design, he then stated he needed the drainage plans with this also creating another delay in repairs. I have called his office several times only to get the run around.
Prior to the wall collapsing I was approximately 3 weeks from completion. I've now had to extend my building permit and plus no further work can be completed until this wall is re-built. Mike has dragged me along, as he completed other projects ahead of mine and the weather is getting more against me. At this time he wants to charge me $25,000 to replace the wall and install the drainage system with a $15,000 deposit. He has gotten over $70,000 prior to this incident that he takes no responsibity for.
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