Deck Overload Liability Concerns

Summary

Contractors must perform work without causing further damage. If a contractor overloads a deck, leading to structural issues, they may be liable for repair costs. Consider consulting a local attorney to explore your options and determine if the contractor should cover the additional expenses.

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I hired to repair a deck that leaked into bedroom below. original plan including fixing leak only around downstairs window below. After repairing deck, the crew told me to not go in room/deck because it may collapse. project manager later texted me "We've used * bags of cement, totals ~* pounds, bringing total load to over * pounds on the deck. This weight may have affected the structure of the joists and the framing below, possibly impacting the room underneath the deck. ****iven the weight distribution, it might be a good idea to inspect the structural integrity of the deck to ensure everything remains stable. we can assess the situation further and suggest any required reinforcements. We will open the ceiling below the deck to investigate the condition of the joists and framing." They recommend we install new insulation/drywall, expose entire ceiling, reinforce joists if needed. bedroom repair would be $*,*. Are they responsible for covering cost since they overloaded deck?
Based on the details you provided, it sounds like the repair crew may have caused additional damage by overloading the deck.
- Contractors have a duty to perform their work in a manner that does not cause further damage.
- You may have grounds to claim that they are responsible for the additional repair costs due to their actions.
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