I hired CTV3 Enterprise on 6-8-15 (license # 2102201132) to rebuild from steps and seal cap of porch. I asked Mr. TheBolt about a permit in an e-mail dated 6-18-15. Verbally he told me it was a "repair" and there was no need for a permit.
The repair began around Beginning of July after I gave him a deposit 6-10-15. The work was "completed" mid-August. The appearance of all the work was poor. He short cut some of the steps. The top step has a 1.8 inch gap which he filled with caulk. He reused most of the risers which are flaking off underneath the porch. Grout was left everywhere (ground/walls). I had him come out twice to recoat/fix the porch slab (which is now delaminating), repair smeared grout left on the brick and the sidewalk that was cut too short at the steps. When I called him on the severe steps leaking, he said he could put water sealant on the outside. I did not feel comfortable having him return to my home after that conversation. Under the porch is incomplete mortar. I was able to remove some of the mortar with my hand. Water is so saturated after it rains, the brick remains wet for days. Once, His contractor left the water running all night which was an additional $108 (per Ferndale water department). He installed a chimney "crown" but did not install a drip edge.
The Ferndale building inspector's report:
"The steps and treads varied in heights and width over the tolerances in the code (MRC2009 Section R311.7.4.2). The practices used where not standard construction practices. The contractor used foam weather backer to fill a gap at the house connection and covered that with a cement/mortar crack caulking and used that to fill mortar voids. Also, contractor used what appears to be drywall mud? To fill a hold in at the northeast section of porch and install a thin coat of cement over the drywall mud.
As well as the code violations, overall workmanship was substandard with this front porch cap and steps rebuild. The City of Ferndale will be following up with the contractor to find out why they did not follow the State of Michigan Residential Code (obtaining proper permit, calling for proper inspections)." read more