| Robert Baer 2007-04-16, 3:25 am |
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Lambert's Post Frame Buildings is not a trustworthy company, and you
would be well advised to avoid using them. Read on for a
condensed version of our unpleasant experience with the Lamberts.
They are a regional builder serving several counties around
Owensboro, Kentucky. They use subcontractors to do the actual
construction, and attempt to hide behind that when called to task about
problems. Of course they told us that the buck stops with them, but if
anyone complains, suddenly they are mere material suppliers.
In August 2004, we entered into a contract with Lambert's Post Frame
Buildings of Utica, Kentucky, to construct a 30 foot by 60 foot shop
building using post frame / pole barn methodology. After a much
longer than promised delay, the building was completed in early
January, 2005. The wood used was of inferior quality, and only
as a result of careful monitoring was the worst rejected before being
incorporated into the building; even so, one substandard post escaped
notice and is now a permanent part of our building. It was
represented that the construction would be done to "Daviess County,
Kentucky standards", but it was subsequently learned that the posts
were not even set to the proper depth required by said county
code. The supports for the overhead door looked as though the
Three Stooges might have constructed them, and had to be torn out and
redone. The larger front overhead door required a special (more
expensive) electric door operator due to an error on the part of the
Lambert crew. The walk-in entry doors were not properly
installed, and were damaged as a result of said error. There
are numerous dents and dings in the metal siding. The insulation
board used by the Lamberts is not rated for use where it will be
exposed, but they install it in that manner routinely, and the seams
were not taped as discussed in more detail below. There were
other small problems, but the incomplete list above hits the highlights.
Most seriously, the construction crew failed to tape the seams where
the insulation boards meet (standard practice required by manufacturers
for such insulation). As a result, it "rains" in
lines coinciding with the seams inside the building under certain
circumstances due to condensation problems. The Lamberts did not
furnish the required tape to the construction crew. Amazingly,
out of sheer stubbornness, the Lamberts refuse to acknowledge failure
to tape the seams was a mistake, and apparently continue to be involved
with the construction of buildings where the insulation board seams are
not being taped. After repeated complaints, they did return after
a year or so to tape the corners to limit air infiltration, but that
has no effect on the roof condensation problem.
Instead of accepting responsibility for solving what problems could
be solved, the Lamberts have chosen to be defensive and downright
nasty. The Lamberts use contractors for the actual construction of the
buildings they sell, and attempt to hide behind that arrangement when
called on the carpet for mistakes. Accordingly, we will be filing a
civil suit against Lambert's Post Frame Buildings as soon as time
permits.
The primary purpose of this note is to warn potential customers of
Lambert's Post Frame Buildings to be extremely cautious.
However, please contact us if you have had difficulties with
Lambert's Post Frame Buildings; we would like to hear about both
resolved and unresolved problems. E-mail us at
<a href="mailto:LambertsSucks@logwell.com">LambertsSucks@logwell.com</a>
if you want additional information.
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