Please Evaluate Basement Trimwork

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Would you accept this trim in your home knowing that caulking/painting still needed to be done? Ignore the nail holes. I know they need to be filled.

[Rennie Heuer]

Wow - bummer. The outside miters and inside miters might be covered with caulk, but really would not be up to my expectations of anyone who calls himself a trim carpenter. The shelf is just inexcusable as is the butt joint. Shouldn't that be a 45 degree scarf joint?And aren't inside miters a no-no? Should this not be a coped joint?

[Jim O'Dell]

Rennie, your post mirrored my thoughts as I looked through the pictures. Now, if it was me doing the work.....
I can't imagine doing a butt joint on floor moulding. 45 or 60 degree scarf. And yes, if painted, filler, sanding smooth, and paint will hide all of this. I know because I've done it, but then I work very cheap on my own projects. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is the floor moulding...the joint is not even...no way filler and sanding are going to take care of that. It will always have an odd look to it. Jim

[tod evans]

it all depends..........what did you pay for?
if you went with the low bid to save a buck i`d say you got what you paid for........
if you checked out your trim carpenter in advance and found somebody with a good reputation and track record then i`d ask him/her to make it right.....and no doubt if they`re making a fair wage they will....if not see previous comments........sorry, tod

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Just to clear up some details.

No, I didn't do it. Yes, this is my house.

I am paying a contractor to finish my basement. This is part of the whole project. The trim is not priced separately.

I am responsible for caulking and painting.

I still owe the contractor a sizable amount for the job.

Knowing all that now, do you think I'm being anal about my displeasure with this?

[Rennie Heuer]

Knowing all that now, do you think I'm being anal about my displeasure with this?

I'm probably the wrong one to comment on this question. (See my signature line)

[Rob Bodenschatz]

I'm probably the wrong one to comment on this question. (See my signature line)

I noticed that before. I graduated from the same institution.

Oh, I should also mention that you work for me, Rennie.

-Rob (Weyerhaeuser Stockholder)

[tod evans]

rob, if your contract states that all work will be preformed to "industry standards in a workman like manor" then i`d insist that the contractor meet his obligations........either way by holding the purse strings you have leverage....and lots of it! try talking with the contractor and see what you can work out?.......most folks will go out of their way to insure pleased clients...tod

[Steve Ash]

it all depends..........what did you pay for?
if you went with the low bid to save a buck i`d say you got what you paid for........
if you checked out your trim carpenter in advance and found somebody with a good reputation and track record then i`d ask him/her to make it right.....and no doubt if they`re making a fair wage they will....if not see previous comments........sorry, tod

Got to agree with Tod on this one. I might be the wrong one to ask about this since I do all the trim work in the homes I build....it is not reflective of the work I do, but it is of some of the competition I have to bid against.

[david graves]

I would speak with the General Contractor about the issue if you have not done so already. If he is a "Good" contractor who cares about his reputation, I would think he would try to make you happy.

The quality of work is sub-standard in my opinion. The baseboards are terrible and I dont need to get started on the shelf, thats just plain lazy on the part of the installer.

Good luck,