1 00:00:06,500 --> 00:00:09,000 - It looks nice. - From a distance. 2 00:00:09,066 --> 00:00:11,433 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 3 00:00:11,500 --> 00:00:13,166 And you put new wood 4 00:00:13,233 --> 00:00:15,433 - on top of the rotted wood. - Correct. 5 00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:17,400 Sir, you know better than that. 6 00:00:17,467 --> 00:00:20,133 I'm not even a contractor for 20 years and I know that. 7 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:21,600 Why are you here today? 8 00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:23,266 Yeah, he worked for--he worked on the job. 9 00:00:23,333 --> 00:00:24,934 And what did you think about that work? 10 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,033 I didn't think it was too good. 11 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:29,700 [laughter] 12 00:00:29,767 --> 00:00:33,166 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 13 00:00:50,834 --> 00:00:54,700 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Woodstock, Alabama. 14 00:00:54,767 --> 00:00:57,300 [Cassandra] Your Honor, this is case number 2020, 15 00:00:57,367 --> 00:00:58,834 McGuire versus Brantley. 16 00:00:58,900 --> 00:01:00,567 All parties have been sworn in. 17 00:01:00,633 --> 00:01:01,800 You may be seated. 18 00:01:01,867 --> 00:01:03,166 [Judge Levy] Thank you, Cassandra. 19 00:01:03,233 --> 00:01:04,233 Ms. McGuire, 20 00:01:04,300 --> 00:01:05,734 you hired the defendant, 21 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,066 your former friend and a contractor, 22 00:01:08,133 --> 00:01:12,233 to repair an unsafe and rotting deck at your home. 23 00:01:12,300 --> 00:01:15,567 And you claim that the finished product 24 00:01:15,633 --> 00:01:17,567 was anything but finished 25 00:01:17,633 --> 00:01:19,600 - and it was unsafe. - Correct. 26 00:01:19,667 --> 00:01:22,967 [Judge Levy] You had to hire a new contractor to fix the work. 27 00:01:23,033 --> 00:01:26,265 And you're suing the defendant for the reimbursement 28 00:01:26,333 --> 00:01:29,500 of the $2,500 that you originally paid him, 29 00:01:29,567 --> 00:01:32,500 plus $1,500 for the new contractor 30 00:01:32,567 --> 00:01:34,767 that had to fix the work 31 00:01:34,834 --> 00:01:36,133 for a total of $4,000. 32 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:37,233 - Is that right? - That is correct. 33 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:38,500 [Judge Levy] All right. Mr. Brantley, 34 00:01:38,567 --> 00:01:40,667 you claim that she specifically 35 00:01:40,734 --> 00:01:42,100 did not want to spend money 36 00:01:42,166 --> 00:01:44,967 - to replace her entire deck. - [Eric] Correct. 37 00:01:45,033 --> 00:01:46,767 She wanted to, I believe you said, 38 00:01:46,834 --> 00:01:48,366 - give it a facelift. - Right. 39 00:01:48,433 --> 00:01:50,767 [Judge Levy] She got exactly what she paid for 40 00:01:50,834 --> 00:01:52,600 and that you don't know why she's unhappy... 41 00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:53,700 - Correct. - [Judge Levy] ... but you don't owe her 42 00:01:53,767 --> 00:01:55,767 - any additional money? - Yes, sir. 43 00:01:55,834 --> 00:01:57,000 How long have you been a contractor? 44 00:01:57,066 --> 00:01:58,500 Uh, about 20 years. 45 00:01:58,567 --> 00:02:01,100 [Judge Levy] Okay. So, Ms. McGuire, tell me, 46 00:02:01,166 --> 00:02:03,300 how long have you known the defendant 47 00:02:03,367 --> 00:02:06,367 and what were the circumstances under which you decided to ask him 48 00:02:06,433 --> 00:02:07,800 to do this deck work for you? 49 00:02:07,867 --> 00:02:10,467 I probably met him through mutual friends 50 00:02:10,532 --> 00:02:12,300 maybe 12 years ago or so. 51 00:02:12,367 --> 00:02:14,834 I think I remember seeing 52 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:18,033 his construction post on Facebook 53 00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:19,433 and I thought, "Well, he's a friend. 54 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:22,000 Let's see if I can get him to come do a free estimate 55 00:02:22,066 --> 00:02:23,367 and we'll go from there." 56 00:02:23,433 --> 00:02:25,033 Tell me about the contract. 57 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:26,834 Was it written or was it oral? 58 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:29,800 It was oral as well as text message. 59 00:02:29,867 --> 00:02:32,633 What were the terms of that oral contract? 60 00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:35,266 The estimate was $2,500. 61 00:02:35,333 --> 00:02:38,900 That was going to cover all of the materials, 62 00:02:38,966 --> 00:02:43,367 labor for the entire back deck. 63 00:02:43,433 --> 00:02:46,934 And it was also replacing our front steps as well. 64 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:48,000 - [Judge Levy] Mr. Brantley... - [Eric] Right. 65 00:02:48,066 --> 00:02:49,800 [Judge Levy] ... you heard that. Is that pretty much exactly 66 00:02:49,867 --> 00:02:51,567 what was discussed and agreed to? 67 00:02:51,633 --> 00:02:53,934 [Eric] Yeah. Well, that was what was agreed to. 68 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,066 She didn't have enough money to do the whole deck. 69 00:02:56,133 --> 00:02:58,633 But I did the steps, tore the handrails off, 70 00:02:58,700 --> 00:03:00,633 replaced all the deck boards. 71 00:03:00,700 --> 00:03:02,800 There came a time, however, where, Mr. Brantley, 72 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:06,000 you realized that this job was bigger than what you thought. 73 00:03:06,066 --> 00:03:07,700 Right. Yes. It's way bigger. 74 00:03:07,767 --> 00:03:09,600 But she's a friend, so I gave her, you know... 75 00:03:09,667 --> 00:03:12,367 [Judge Levy] How much would this job have been just for a regular person 76 00:03:12,433 --> 00:03:13,433 - that you didn't... - About 5,000. 77 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:14,567 And you cut it in half? 78 00:03:14,633 --> 00:03:18,367 Right. It'd be about 7,500 if you did the roof, front, back. 79 00:03:18,433 --> 00:03:20,266 - Somebody else would have charged... - [Judge Levy] Okay. 80 00:03:20,333 --> 00:03:21,633 - And that's what he told you. - ... somewhere between 5,000 and 7,500. 81 00:03:21,700 --> 00:03:23,133 - [Judge Levy] Is that right? - Correct. 82 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,033 Why is it that you needed this job to be done? 83 00:03:25,100 --> 00:03:27,333 Well, I had several spots on that deck 84 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:29,734 that were rotting and it was just unsafe. 85 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,466 And we just had a baby, 86 00:03:31,533 --> 00:03:33,333 so we were trying to make sure 87 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,900 that before she started toddling around and walking, 88 00:03:35,966 --> 00:03:38,100 that she would be able to go out on that deck 89 00:03:38,166 --> 00:03:40,433 and not have to worry about her hurting herself 90 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:41,600 or anybody else's children. 91 00:03:41,667 --> 00:03:42,900 And, Mr. Brantley, she told you about that 92 00:03:42,966 --> 00:03:43,966 - when you started. - [Eric] Correct. 93 00:03:44,033 --> 00:03:45,333 That's the reason why she was doing it. 94 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,233 For her to--so that baby wouldn't get hurt. 95 00:03:47,300 --> 00:03:48,767 That's why I put the handrails high. 96 00:03:48,834 --> 00:03:51,000 [Judge Levy] There are building permits 97 00:03:51,066 --> 00:03:52,867 that are required for back decks. 98 00:03:52,934 --> 00:03:54,400 - Right. - [Judge Levy] Especially back decks 99 00:03:54,466 --> 00:03:55,466 that are being done 100 00:03:55,533 --> 00:03:57,900 in which structural problems are occurring, correct? 101 00:03:57,966 --> 00:04:00,467 Correct. But I didn't pull a permit 'cause, you know, 102 00:04:00,533 --> 00:04:02,934 I didn't--nobody gonna be able to see us in the backyard, 103 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,533 you know, to have to go pay the permit fee and all that. 104 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:06,633 I was trying to do everything I can... 105 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:09,433 I know--I know that you were trying to do her a favor, Mr. Brantley. 106 00:04:09,500 --> 00:04:12,033 I get that. But if you don't pull a permit, 107 00:04:12,100 --> 00:04:13,867 what's gonna happen is that they're gonna come 108 00:04:13,934 --> 00:04:15,300 and they're gonna do an inspection. 109 00:04:15,367 --> 00:04:17,834 They're gonna see a back deck. They're gonna say, "Whoop, no permit." 110 00:04:17,899 --> 00:04:19,966 And if it's not to code, they're gonna force you 111 00:04:20,033 --> 00:04:21,533 to tear that whole thing down. 112 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:23,233 So knowing all that, 113 00:04:23,300 --> 00:04:24,300 why not just pull a permit? 114 00:04:24,367 --> 00:04:26,000 How much was it? Like a hundred bucks? 115 00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:28,233 No. It probably wouldn't even be a hundred. 116 00:04:28,300 --> 00:04:30,600 [Judge Levy] So when you have a building permit pulled, 117 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:33,767 then a building inspector will actually come out at some point 118 00:04:33,834 --> 00:04:36,433 and make a determination whether or not you followed building code, 119 00:04:36,500 --> 00:04:37,834 give you a stamp of approval. 120 00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:39,734 You have that. Your title is good. 121 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,266 Yes, sir. I went above and beyond. 122 00:04:42,332 --> 00:04:44,000 I'd be careful about that, Mr. Brantley. 123 00:04:44,066 --> 00:04:45,400 You don't have to prove above and beyond. 124 00:04:45,467 --> 00:04:47,400 I would just be very happy with follow. 125 00:04:47,467 --> 00:04:49,332 - Followed. I followed. - [Judge Levy] Follow. 126 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,166 What's a toenail connection between two boards? 127 00:04:52,233 --> 00:04:53,433 Shot in at an angle. 128 00:04:53,500 --> 00:04:54,533 [Judge Levy] Right. And you know 129 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,533 that the International Building Code prohibits those on decks. 130 00:04:58,600 --> 00:04:59,734 I didn't know that. 131 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,133 Yeah. You see, I'm not even a contractor 132 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:03,333 for 20 years and I know that. 133 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:06,033 Because if you have two boards like this 134 00:05:06,100 --> 00:05:09,033 that are connected with nails coming up through it 135 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:12,200 and you push the top of it, nails pop. 136 00:05:12,266 --> 00:05:13,800 That's why you're not allowed to do that. 137 00:05:13,867 --> 00:05:15,533 - You put a board on the outside of it. - [Judge Levy] Yeah, 138 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:17,200 - you're not allowed to do that either. - [makes sound] 139 00:05:17,266 --> 00:05:18,400 [Judge Levy] That's the easy way to do it. 140 00:05:18,467 --> 00:05:19,533 We're gonna take a look at those photographs. 141 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:20,600 - That's what you did, right? - Right. 142 00:05:20,667 --> 00:05:21,700 - Right. - [Judge Levy] Uh-hmm. 143 00:05:21,767 --> 00:05:23,133 This is one of the before photos. 144 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,133 This is the way the deck-- the deck looked, Ms. McGuire... 145 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,166 - [Amber] Correct. - [Judge Levy] ... beforehand. 146 00:05:28,233 --> 00:05:31,100 Next one. Before, right? 147 00:05:31,166 --> 00:05:32,332 - [Eric] Right. - [Amber] That's correct. 148 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:33,933 And the last one. 149 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:35,367 Before. 150 00:05:35,433 --> 00:05:36,800 Is that right, Mr. Brantley? 151 00:05:36,867 --> 00:05:38,100 - [Eric] Yes, sir. - Okay. 152 00:05:38,933 --> 00:05:42,233 And then we're gonna take a look at exhibit two, 153 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:44,933 which is a photograph, ma'am, that you provided 154 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,667 after the defendant said he was finished. 155 00:05:47,734 --> 00:05:50,900 Now, after Eric's job-- and, again, Mr. Brantley, 156 00:05:50,967 --> 00:05:53,533 the work, it looks nice. 157 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,467 - From a distance. - [Judge Levy] From a distance. 158 00:05:55,533 --> 00:05:57,467 You know, and all those shows that we see on TV, 159 00:05:57,533 --> 00:05:59,233 they talk about and they show pictures, 160 00:05:59,300 --> 00:06:00,967 really nice pictures of houses 161 00:06:01,033 --> 00:06:03,133 and what it looks like afterwards. 162 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,066 It never shows you though what's really underneath, 163 00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:06,467 what's behind the walls. 164 00:06:06,533 --> 00:06:07,667 The mechanicals downstairs, 165 00:06:07,734 --> 00:06:09,967 whether that's still up and running or whether that's old. 166 00:06:10,033 --> 00:06:11,767 But you get a nice picture. 167 00:06:11,834 --> 00:06:12,834 That's one of them. 168 00:06:12,900 --> 00:06:13,967 Here are the front steps. 169 00:06:14,033 --> 00:06:15,033 Those look nice. 170 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:16,834 [Amber] I will mention the top step 171 00:06:16,900 --> 00:06:17,967 wasn't even nailed at all. 172 00:06:18,033 --> 00:06:19,133 My husband had to go back 173 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:20,767 and nail the very top step, so... 174 00:06:20,834 --> 00:06:22,400 - Yeah, I missed a nail. - [Judge Levy] It looked nice. 175 00:06:22,467 --> 00:06:24,033 [Amber] Uh-hmm. 176 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:26,000 [Judge Levy] Supports down below. 177 00:06:26,066 --> 00:06:27,633 [Eric] I added two. It didn't have none to start with. 178 00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:28,700 I just added two. 179 00:06:28,767 --> 00:06:30,100 And you just put those right in the ground? 180 00:06:30,166 --> 00:06:31,533 - I dug down to hard ground... - [Judge Levy] Yeah. 181 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:32,667 ... and put a cap. 182 00:06:32,734 --> 00:06:35,066 - What are these, four-by-fours? - Four-by-fours. Correct. 183 00:06:35,133 --> 00:06:37,467 [Judge Levy] Right, 'cause any four-by-fours that's on the ground, 184 00:06:37,533 --> 00:06:39,800 you gotta have to have pressure-treated wood, right? 185 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:40,867 [Eric] That is treated. 186 00:06:40,933 --> 00:06:42,800 - [Judge Levy] That is treated? - Yes, sir. 187 00:06:42,867 --> 00:06:44,967 [Judge Levy] But now, Ms. McGuire, 188 00:06:45,033 --> 00:06:47,100 when were these photographs taken? 189 00:06:47,166 --> 00:06:48,933 [Amber] Those were taken by me, 190 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,066 and I think it was the beginning of May, 191 00:06:52,133 --> 00:06:53,767 because I took most of those 192 00:06:53,834 --> 00:06:56,467 to show the new contractor. 193 00:06:56,533 --> 00:06:58,767 - So this is Eric's job. He's Eric, right? - [Amber] He's Eric, yes. 194 00:06:58,834 --> 00:07:00,367 [Judge Levy] These are those toenail connectors 195 00:07:00,433 --> 00:07:03,000 - that I was talking about, right? - [Amber] Uh-hmm. 196 00:07:03,066 --> 00:07:04,600 [Judge Levy] And we now know, without any question, 197 00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:07,934 that those are in violation of the building code, right? And... 198 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,633 Right. But at the very beginning of the deal, 199 00:07:10,700 --> 00:07:12,100 I wasn't gonna replace the post 200 00:07:12,166 --> 00:07:14,433 'cause I was just recapping and redecking it. 201 00:07:14,500 --> 00:07:16,467 That was mine and her agreement. 202 00:07:16,533 --> 00:07:18,967 You never told the plaintiff, though, 203 00:07:19,033 --> 00:07:21,767 when you did that, that that was in violation of code. 204 00:07:21,834 --> 00:07:22,834 [Eric] Right. 205 00:07:22,900 --> 00:07:24,367 [Judge Levy] Now, in all fairness, 206 00:07:24,433 --> 00:07:25,934 I read your answer carefully 207 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,600 and I read the text messages. 208 00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:30,200 Some of this, in your opinion, would be the plaintiff's fault 209 00:07:30,266 --> 00:07:32,367 because she gave you certain constraints 210 00:07:32,433 --> 00:07:34,200 about how much money she wanted to spend 211 00:07:34,266 --> 00:07:35,600 and she wasn't giving you the money 212 00:07:35,667 --> 00:07:37,600 that you knew was necessary 213 00:07:37,667 --> 00:07:39,200 in order to make those posts safe 214 00:07:39,266 --> 00:07:41,200 and to make them comply with the building code. 215 00:07:41,266 --> 00:07:42,266 Exactly right. 216 00:07:42,332 --> 00:07:43,433 [Judge Levy] And you understand that? 217 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:44,500 I understand. 218 00:07:44,567 --> 00:07:45,967 What do you have to say about that? 219 00:07:46,033 --> 00:07:48,066 I mean, I expected things to be safe, 220 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:49,667 but if something came up, 221 00:07:49,734 --> 00:07:51,700 I'd expect to be told about everything. 222 00:07:51,767 --> 00:07:52,933 And in the quote itself, 223 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,900 I never told him this is my limit. 224 00:07:54,967 --> 00:07:57,000 This is all we can do. 225 00:07:57,066 --> 00:07:58,967 Listen, I've been beating up on him for a while, 226 00:07:59,033 --> 00:08:01,133 but in all fairness, what you did tell him in those texts, 227 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:02,400 - 'cause I read them... - Uh-hmm. 228 00:08:02,467 --> 00:08:04,367 ... was that this was all the money that you had 229 00:08:04,433 --> 00:08:06,533 because you were trying to save up money for a down payment 230 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:08,233 - for a car that you needed. - I did say that. 231 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:09,367 - [Judge Levy] Right? - Uh-hmm. 232 00:08:09,433 --> 00:08:10,467 [Judge Levy] And so you were looking to do this 233 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:12,600 - on a shoestring budget, right? - Right. Right. 234 00:08:12,667 --> 00:08:15,166 Okay. And with that, I'm gonna pass it over to Judge Acker. 235 00:08:15,233 --> 00:08:16,734 And I may have additional questions later on. 236 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:17,800 - Thank you both. - Okay. 237 00:08:17,867 --> 00:08:19,066 [Judge Acker] Thank you, Judge Levy. 238 00:08:19,133 --> 00:08:22,033 Can we please put exhibit 303 239 00:08:22,100 --> 00:08:23,800 back up on the monitor? 240 00:08:23,867 --> 00:08:25,734 Are you proud of that work? 241 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,300 [Eric] Yes. Under-- that's the underside of the deck. 242 00:08:28,367 --> 00:08:29,533 You can't see it from the front. 243 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,467 That's exactly how I said we was gonna do it. 244 00:08:32,533 --> 00:08:33,700 That is supporting the deck. 245 00:08:33,767 --> 00:08:34,967 - Is it not? - [Eric] The handrails. 246 00:08:35,033 --> 00:08:37,433 [Judge Acker] Where people are going to put pressure on that. 247 00:08:37,500 --> 00:08:39,700 They've got a young child. 248 00:08:39,767 --> 00:08:41,232 - How old is your child? - She's 16 months. 249 00:08:41,299 --> 00:08:42,900 [Judge Acker] So a six--walking? 250 00:08:42,967 --> 00:08:44,700 - A toddler? - Everywhere. 251 00:08:44,767 --> 00:08:46,967 So I want you to stand 252 00:08:47,033 --> 00:08:48,600 in the shoes of a parent 253 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:51,533 who might be playing around and messing around on that. 254 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,500 You're telling me that that structure is safe? 255 00:08:53,567 --> 00:08:54,834 Yes, ma'am, I... 256 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:57,333 [Judge Acker] But if you look really closely, it's coming apart. 257 00:08:58,734 --> 00:09:01,467 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 258 00:09:01,533 --> 00:09:05,667 He did not agree to rebuild your deck, 259 00:09:05,734 --> 00:09:09,000 and that's what needed to be done here. 260 00:09:09,066 --> 00:09:10,600 [dramatic musical sting] 261 00:09:12,467 --> 00:09:14,200 [theme music plays] 262 00:09:14,266 --> 00:09:18,967 [announcer] Amber McGuire is suing contractor, Eric Brantley, for $4,000. 263 00:09:19,033 --> 00:09:22,166 She claims Eric did a shoddy job building her deck 264 00:09:22,233 --> 00:09:24,066 and now wants her money back. 265 00:09:24,133 --> 00:09:28,000 Eric claims it's Amber's fault for being so cheap. 266 00:09:28,066 --> 00:09:30,900 Can we put up exhibit 304 please? 267 00:09:30,967 --> 00:09:32,600 Rotted wood, sir? 268 00:09:32,667 --> 00:09:34,400 That's the post that I cut off 269 00:09:34,467 --> 00:09:35,934 and set a new post on top of it. 270 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:37,400 [Judge Acker] And you put new wood 271 00:09:37,467 --> 00:09:39,667 - on top of the rotted wood? - Correct. 272 00:09:39,734 --> 00:09:43,400 Sir, you don't use rotted wood 273 00:09:43,467 --> 00:09:45,867 as a structure. It's not safe. 274 00:09:45,934 --> 00:09:47,934 [Eric] That's just to hold the handrail up. 275 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,633 [Judge Acker] What happens if someone is holding on to a handrail, 276 00:09:51,700 --> 00:09:54,633 as people do, and the handrail collapses? 277 00:09:54,700 --> 00:09:55,967 - What happens in that situation? - I didn't-- 278 00:09:56,033 --> 00:09:59,033 well, I didn't have the money to buy the material myself. 279 00:09:59,100 --> 00:10:00,800 I mean, we talked about it, 280 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:03,200 cutting the post off halfway down the band, 281 00:10:03,266 --> 00:10:04,433 sitting the new ones on it. 282 00:10:04,500 --> 00:10:05,533 That's all I had to do. 283 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:06,600 You do--I got-- 284 00:10:06,667 --> 00:10:10,200 the materials was about $1,400 altogether 285 00:10:10,266 --> 00:10:12,467 and then I had to pay them, my two helpers. 286 00:10:12,533 --> 00:10:16,400 You did give him certain price constraints. 287 00:10:16,467 --> 00:10:19,166 So I wanna ask you 288 00:10:19,233 --> 00:10:22,500 are there situations where you kind of get what you pay for? 289 00:10:22,567 --> 00:10:26,400 Yes, but me nor my husband were made aware that that was rotted 290 00:10:26,467 --> 00:10:29,633 until the new contractor cut off and took his apart. 291 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:31,567 That's what they found and they showed me that. 292 00:10:31,633 --> 00:10:34,934 You will find the next time you do such a project, 293 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,367 - the price goes up... - [Amber] Right. 294 00:10:36,433 --> 00:10:38,734 ... because they find things like this, 295 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,066 - which increase the cost of the job. - [Amber] Uh-hmm. 296 00:10:41,133 --> 00:10:42,834 So now I'm back to you, sir. 297 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:45,033 You are the professional. 298 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:48,700 You had an obligation to advise her 299 00:10:48,767 --> 00:10:51,800 of whether or not things are safe or not safe 300 00:10:51,867 --> 00:10:54,033 and to do the work in a professional manner. 301 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:56,066 If her budget doesn't allow you to do that, 302 00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:57,800 you can't take the job. 303 00:10:57,867 --> 00:10:59,066 You're right. I shouldn't have ever took it. 304 00:10:59,133 --> 00:11:00,900 [Judge Acker] You never should have taken the job. 305 00:11:00,967 --> 00:11:02,500 We looked at the stairs. 306 00:11:02,567 --> 00:11:03,934 They weren't nailed down. You know what? 307 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,900 - You said, "Oh, yeah, I missed a nail." - [Eric] Right. 308 00:11:05,967 --> 00:11:07,000 [Judge Acker] "I missed a nail." 309 00:11:07,066 --> 00:11:09,667 Like that's not a big deal when you're building things. 310 00:11:09,734 --> 00:11:10,967 And accidents happen. 311 00:11:11,033 --> 00:11:12,900 It was one nail. [laughs] 312 00:11:12,967 --> 00:11:16,166 [Judge Acker] Accidents happen when jobs aren't done correctly. 313 00:11:16,233 --> 00:11:17,900 I think you got off pretty easy. 314 00:11:17,967 --> 00:11:18,967 Judge DiMango. 315 00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:21,533 I think you got what you paid for, personally. 316 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,000 I think when people negotiate with contractors 317 00:11:25,066 --> 00:11:27,667 to get a reduced price, 318 00:11:27,734 --> 00:11:30,200 they get reduced labor. 319 00:11:30,266 --> 00:11:31,667 I mean, that's the way it is. 320 00:11:31,734 --> 00:11:33,333 You wanted a new deck. 321 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:34,700 What'd you tell her for the price? 322 00:11:34,767 --> 00:11:36,600 - About 5,000. - Five thousand dollars. 323 00:11:36,667 --> 00:11:38,367 I'll give you the friends and family discount. 324 00:11:38,433 --> 00:11:40,734 Five thousand. Normally, it would be 7,500. 325 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,967 You say, "I don't have $5,000. 326 00:11:43,033 --> 00:11:44,834 What could you do for me 327 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:46,667 for less than that?" 328 00:11:46,734 --> 00:11:48,000 So he says to you, 329 00:11:48,066 --> 00:11:50,600 "For 2,500, 330 00:11:50,667 --> 00:11:52,767 I took a look at the bottom. It doesn't look so bad. 331 00:11:52,834 --> 00:11:56,266 If you want the deck on top to be safe for your little girl, 332 00:11:56,333 --> 00:11:57,600 I can do the top of the deck. 333 00:11:57,667 --> 00:12:00,800 I can do the handrail so her head doesn't get stuck in the poles. 334 00:12:00,867 --> 00:12:04,633 I can do all of that for $2,500." 335 00:12:04,700 --> 00:12:09,166 He did not agree to rebuild your deck 336 00:12:09,233 --> 00:12:12,667 and that's what needed to be done here. 337 00:12:12,734 --> 00:12:16,467 So you did what she was paying you for 338 00:12:16,533 --> 00:12:19,233 and you paid him for what he did. 339 00:12:19,300 --> 00:12:21,400 When you brought in that new contractor, 340 00:12:21,467 --> 00:12:23,467 how much did he charge you 341 00:12:23,533 --> 00:12:26,200 to pull out those posts and put in new ones? 342 00:12:26,266 --> 00:12:28,100 - Sixteen hundred. - [Judge DiMango] Sixteen hundred. 343 00:12:28,166 --> 00:12:30,367 On top of the 2,500 that he did, 344 00:12:30,433 --> 00:12:32,433 - 'cause he used his stuff, right? - [Amber] Uh-hmm. 345 00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:33,800 [Judge DiMango] He used all of that. 346 00:12:33,867 --> 00:12:36,066 What'd you end up paying for the job? 347 00:12:36,133 --> 00:12:37,500 Almost $5,000. 348 00:12:37,567 --> 00:12:39,900 Which is what he would have charged you in the first place 349 00:12:39,967 --> 00:12:41,300 to redo the whole thing. 350 00:12:41,367 --> 00:12:43,400 Luckily for both of you, 351 00:12:43,467 --> 00:12:46,600 nobody got hurt on that ramp. 352 00:12:46,667 --> 00:12:48,300 Now, sir, you've been sitting there nice 353 00:12:48,367 --> 00:12:49,700 and peacefully and quietly. 354 00:12:49,767 --> 00:12:51,165 Why are you here today? 355 00:12:51,233 --> 00:12:52,967 - Did you fall on the ramp? - No, ma'am. 356 00:12:53,033 --> 00:12:54,100 [laughter] 357 00:12:54,165 --> 00:12:55,433 [Judge DiMango] Then why are you here? 358 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:56,533 I'm just... 359 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:57,633 [Judge DiMango] You're just hanging out? 360 00:12:57,700 --> 00:12:59,734 [laughter] 361 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:01,767 [Judge Levy] He don't wanna get up-- he don't wanna get up there. 362 00:13:01,834 --> 00:13:03,200 - Can you step up here? - [Steven] Yes, ma'am. 363 00:13:03,266 --> 00:13:06,000 I'm gonna ask you who he is in relation to you. 364 00:13:06,066 --> 00:13:07,500 Yeah, he worked for--he worked on the job. 365 00:13:07,567 --> 00:13:09,266 - [Judge DiMango] You worked on the job? - Yes, ma'am. 366 00:13:09,333 --> 00:13:10,600 [Judge DiMango] Did you do that, sir? 367 00:13:10,667 --> 00:13:11,667 No, ma'am. 368 00:13:11,734 --> 00:13:13,633 [Judge DiMango] You didn't do that? What did you do? 369 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:16,233 Uh, I picked up and burnt the garbage. 370 00:13:16,300 --> 00:13:18,133 And what did you think about that work? 371 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:19,700 [Steven] I didn't think it was too good. 372 00:13:19,767 --> 00:13:21,600 You didn't think the deck was good when we got done with it? 373 00:13:21,667 --> 00:13:23,734 Yeah, the deck was good. But that piece there-- 374 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:25,300 - this wasn't. - [laughter] 375 00:13:25,367 --> 00:13:27,133 [Judge DiMango] We appreciate you being honest. 376 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:28,300 - You can have a seat then. - [Steven] Thanks. 377 00:13:28,367 --> 00:13:29,834 You've been extremely helpful. 378 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:32,867 So you knew you should have replaced those poles, 379 00:13:32,934 --> 00:13:33,967 but you kept saying, 380 00:13:34,033 --> 00:13:35,100 "That's not what you paid me for. 381 00:13:35,165 --> 00:13:36,400 That's not what I agreed to." 382 00:13:36,467 --> 00:13:37,767 Can I also just add to that, 383 00:13:37,834 --> 00:13:40,033 that if he or any of the workers 384 00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:43,667 would have made me or my husband aware of that problem, 385 00:13:43,734 --> 00:13:46,433 we could have figured out how to make that safe. 386 00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:48,266 I saw tons of text messages. 387 00:13:48,333 --> 00:13:49,967 You weren't even gonna give him 200 more 388 00:13:50,033 --> 00:13:52,200 for wood--for something else. Am I right? 389 00:13:52,266 --> 00:13:53,333 - Yes, but... - [Judge DiMango] Right, 390 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,934 because that's not what he agreed to do for you. 391 00:13:56,867 --> 00:13:59,500 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 392 00:13:59,567 --> 00:14:01,166 For me, there's a balance here 393 00:14:01,233 --> 00:14:04,000 between what you paid, what you expected. 394 00:14:04,066 --> 00:14:07,133 In the end, you ended up paying the same thing anyway. 395 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,233 So I think you got what you paid for. 396 00:14:09,300 --> 00:14:10,834 [dramatic musical sting] 397 00:14:12,767 --> 00:14:14,100 [theme music plays] 398 00:14:14,166 --> 00:14:18,967 [announcer] Amber McGuire is suing contractor, Eric Brantley, for $4,000 399 00:14:19,033 --> 00:14:22,266 over what she says was a lousy renovation job. 400 00:14:22,333 --> 00:14:25,300 Eric says she got what she paid for. 401 00:14:25,367 --> 00:14:27,400 I think, for me, there's a balance here 402 00:14:27,467 --> 00:14:29,333 between what you paid, 403 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,667 what you expected, what you did, 404 00:14:31,734 --> 00:14:33,100 what you should have done, 405 00:14:33,165 --> 00:14:36,400 and what would probably be more proper in the industry. 406 00:14:36,467 --> 00:14:37,767 You know, in the end, 407 00:14:37,834 --> 00:14:40,633 you ended up paying the same thing anyway. 408 00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:42,800 So I think you got what you paid for. 409 00:14:42,867 --> 00:14:45,734 [Judge Acker] Based on that, I don't know if anybody has anything else to ask. 410 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,633 I just think you need to hire Judge Levy to work with you next time. 411 00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:49,834 [laughter] 412 00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:51,367 [Judge DiMango] We're gonna retire to deliberate. 413 00:14:51,433 --> 00:14:52,433 Thank you both. 414 00:14:52,500 --> 00:14:54,467 Court is now in recess. 415 00:14:54,533 --> 00:14:56,033 Parties are excused. 416 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,133 [dramatic musical sting] 417 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,967 You know, it clearly caused me some concern 418 00:15:03,033 --> 00:15:04,734 when I saw the finished product 419 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:07,367 that the defendant said was to code, 420 00:15:07,433 --> 00:15:10,333 only to find out that it was anything but that. 421 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,033 But as what was clearly testified to by the plaintiff 422 00:15:13,100 --> 00:15:14,867 and corroborated by the defendant 423 00:15:14,934 --> 00:15:17,200 was that he was given guardrails, 424 00:15:17,266 --> 00:15:20,333 limitations as to how much he was allowed to spend. 425 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,800 And your question, Pat, to the plaintiff, 426 00:15:22,867 --> 00:15:23,934 that you even complained about 427 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,700 - like $200 extra. - Uh-hmm. 428 00:15:25,767 --> 00:15:27,467 [Judge Levy] 'Cause she was saving up money for another car 429 00:15:27,533 --> 00:15:29,834 - and she was financially strapped. - [Judge DiMango] Uh-hmm. 430 00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:33,867 So she really did not give the defendant what he needed 431 00:15:33,934 --> 00:15:36,000 in order to give her the deck 432 00:15:36,066 --> 00:15:38,133 that he knew complied with code, 433 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:42,000 forcing her then to, unfortunately, seek out 434 00:15:42,066 --> 00:15:46,133 an additional contractor who used all the wood. 435 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,200 - Everything. - Right? 436 00:15:47,266 --> 00:15:48,900 So having said all of that, 437 00:15:48,967 --> 00:15:51,300 she spent, in total, $4,000. 438 00:15:51,367 --> 00:15:53,066 She got a new facelift on the deck, 439 00:15:53,133 --> 00:15:55,200 new supports, to code. 440 00:15:55,266 --> 00:15:57,033 I would recommend that we dismiss her suit. 441 00:15:57,100 --> 00:15:58,700 I was really on the fence 442 00:15:58,767 --> 00:16:02,367 because I do think that he had an obligation to advise her 443 00:16:02,433 --> 00:16:06,266 of the substandard condition of the wood, for instance. 444 00:16:06,333 --> 00:16:07,700 But where I come out 445 00:16:07,767 --> 00:16:10,834 is I'm just not sure she's been damaged. 446 00:16:10,900 --> 00:16:14,967 - She paid him $2,500. - Correct. 447 00:16:15,033 --> 00:16:16,967 She paid the new guy... 448 00:16:17,033 --> 00:16:18,533 - Fifteen hundred. - ... $1,500. 449 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,233 - I think he originally quoted her $5,000. - He did. 450 00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:24,266 But what really takes me over the edge is the fact 451 00:16:24,333 --> 00:16:26,967 - that the new guy used his work. - Uh-hmm. 452 00:16:27,033 --> 00:16:29,066 - So she got value from his work. - [Judge DiMango] Right. 453 00:16:29,133 --> 00:16:31,467 Now, if she had to take down everything 454 00:16:31,533 --> 00:16:33,233 and start from scratch, different story, 455 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:34,433 - but that's not what happened. - [Judge Levy] Correct. 456 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:36,533 There's no way that new guy would have come in and said, 457 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:38,734 "I'll do your front steps, I'll rebuild everything, 458 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,333 and I'm gonna give it to you for $1,500," 459 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:42,934 because there's no way that would have happened. 460 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,333 So, basically, what she did was she negotiated from a friend 461 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:48,567 to a price that she wanted to pay, 462 00:16:48,633 --> 00:16:50,800 got what she paid for, basically, 463 00:16:50,867 --> 00:16:52,800 and then had to lay out the additional money 464 00:16:52,867 --> 00:16:55,266 that he would have charged her in the first place to do it right. 465 00:16:55,333 --> 00:16:57,467 So I don't think she gets a penny. 466 00:16:57,533 --> 00:16:59,400 Will you come do some work at my house please? 467 00:16:59,467 --> 00:17:00,567 I'll let her know. 468 00:17:00,633 --> 00:17:02,633 [laughter] 469 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:06,000 [dramatic musical sting] 470 00:17:06,066 --> 00:17:08,000 [Cassandra] Court is now in session. 471 00:17:08,066 --> 00:17:10,400 All parties are reminded that you're still under oath. 472 00:17:10,467 --> 00:17:11,666 [Judge Levy] Thank you, Cassandra. 473 00:17:11,733 --> 00:17:13,000 Ms. McGuire, 474 00:17:13,066 --> 00:17:16,633 you wanted to make your deck safe for your family and your child. 475 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:17,900 You spoke to the defendant. 476 00:17:17,967 --> 00:17:19,532 The defendant told you that he could do the job, 477 00:17:19,599 --> 00:17:22,165 but to do it right would cost about $5,000. 478 00:17:22,233 --> 00:17:23,400 And money was tight. 479 00:17:23,467 --> 00:17:25,300 We completely understand that. 480 00:17:25,367 --> 00:17:27,700 He agreed to do it for half that. 481 00:17:27,767 --> 00:17:29,767 And you knew that when he agreed to do it for half that 482 00:17:29,834 --> 00:17:32,000 that there were gonna be some corners that were gonna be cut, 483 00:17:32,066 --> 00:17:33,500 reusing certain lumber, 484 00:17:33,567 --> 00:17:35,934 getting some salvaged material. 485 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,433 Having said that, 486 00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:40,333 the $5,000 figure turned out to be just about right, 487 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:42,200 because the work was done 488 00:17:42,266 --> 00:17:44,567 but it wasn't done to where we knew it needed to be. 489 00:17:44,633 --> 00:17:47,233 And then you got another contractor to come in, 490 00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:50,467 spent another $1,500, bringing it to $4,000 491 00:17:50,533 --> 00:17:53,600 to get yourself a new deck that was safe. 492 00:17:53,667 --> 00:17:55,700 So I hope that you can see that 493 00:17:55,767 --> 00:17:57,567 you're really not out anything. 494 00:17:57,633 --> 00:17:59,133 You got yourself a safe deck 495 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,000 and you got it for less than the $5,000 496 00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:03,633 that what the defendant offered you originally. 497 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:06,667 And as you indicated, lesson learned. 498 00:18:06,734 --> 00:18:08,734 And when a contractor, especially a friend 499 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,700 and one that you know and that you trust, 500 00:18:10,767 --> 00:18:12,667 tells you that, listen, you gotta spend 501 00:18:12,734 --> 00:18:14,934 this much money to get it done right, 502 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:16,667 spend that extra money. 503 00:18:16,734 --> 00:18:18,066 It'll be well worth it. 504 00:18:18,133 --> 00:18:19,633 So having said all of that, 505 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:21,100 your case here, ma'am, 506 00:18:21,166 --> 00:18:22,600 is dismissed. Thank you. 507 00:18:22,667 --> 00:18:23,900 - Thank you. - [gavel bangs] 508 00:18:23,967 --> 00:18:25,867 This case has concluded. 509 00:18:25,934 --> 00:18:27,000 All parties are excused. 510 00:18:27,066 --> 00:18:30,033 [theme music plays] 511 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:31,333 It was just a mess. 512 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:32,467 I stand by the work I did. 513 00:18:32,533 --> 00:18:35,467 Cracked wood where the nails went in and split everything. 514 00:18:35,533 --> 00:18:37,000 I did a good job on it. 515 00:18:37,066 --> 00:18:39,400 When you get up close, you could see all the blemishes, 516 00:18:39,467 --> 00:18:42,066 the nails, everything that was just not together. 517 00:18:42,133 --> 00:18:44,433 She took a camera and got down, just nitpicking. 518 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:46,533 She didn't back up and get the oversized view of it. 519 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:48,934 And I have told many people don't hire him. 520 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:50,767 She's probably upset now. [chuckles] 521 00:18:50,834 --> 00:18:53,266 [announcer] Did someone break an agreement? 522 00:18:53,333 --> 00:18:56,600 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 523 00:18:56,667 --> 00:18:59,266 Find us on social media. 524 00:18:59,333 --> 00:19:02,633 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]