How do I explain ventilation to my contractor?

[lazy gardener]

And, If I was building a custom anything, I would have a set of blueprints with cross sections and material specifications for customer approval before I would ever accept a deposit or start the work. Responsibility goes both ways.

 

[JDN]

If you tell someone, "Build me a 10x12 Shed" or "Build me a 6x8 Chicken Coop" then tell him that he needs to change the shingles or put in a different door style, or that you don't like his window placement or design, he doesn't have to (nor should he have to) fix it for free.

If you hand them a list of written requirements agreed upon before he quoted the job, and he doesn't deliver them, then that's a contractual issue. But "read this article, they need ventilation" doesn't pass that test.

 

[Trish1974]

If you're not completely satisfied with it, he should make it right! Don't modify it and cut into it if you're not comfortable..... you paid him to do the work, he should make sure everything is done the way you want it.

I don't see it that way. I knew he had never built a chicken coop, but I knew he was good with woodworking and building. I wouldn't expect a perfect coop for the budget I gave him. I was mainly concerned with just getting the basic structure built. It was a learning experience for him too and he said he enjoyed building it.

 

[Trish1974]

a pic of under the soffit would tell the tale.

From the outside, looking up under roof:

 

[Trish1974]

Just wanted to clarify I'm not complaining AT ALL about what I got. I just wanted some suggestions on how I can make it better. He built and delivered this coop for half of what I would have paid for one of its size and design at a storage barn/shed-builder place.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Can I ask how much you paid for it? Would be nice to get a ballpark figure, that way others can get an idea and compare prices to those pre-made coops. But then again you could have gotten a really good deal which one wouldn't be able to find elsewhere unless they got the hook ups. I like your coop, it's nice..... apart for the little things here and there but it's negligible.

 

[aart]

From the outside, looking up under roof:
View attachment 1489531

From farther back, please, showing the rafter ends and the edge of the roof.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I don't see it that way. I knew he had never built a chicken coop, but I knew he was good with woodworking and building. I wouldn't expect a perfect coop for the budget I gave him. I was mainly concerned with just getting the basic structure built. It was a learning experience for him too and he said he enjoyed building it.

Well, I think he nailed it... sorry couldn't pass up the pun

Here's the thing, I was told by a builder once, that you would have to live in at least 4 houses to be able to even begin to try to build your "dream house"... because you need to experience what you like, what you don't like, etc.

Sure you can read magazines, watch some of those DIY television shows, or the "flip this house" ones, or what ever they are ( we haven't had a TV plugged in so long I don't even know what's out there) ... but you'll never really know what you want until you live in it, and also live in what you don't want.

The same is true with chicken houses, you're just going to have to climb in there and spend a few nights...

... oh wait no that's not what I meant... I mean it's the same with chicken houses, because you have to have a few to know what works, what you'd do different next time, what the chickens do that you never dreamed they'd do, and on and on.

You can talk to other chicken people, and read about 987 chicken coops online, but until you put some little feathered butts in that thing, you're not going to really know what works and doesn't work for you....

... but I suspect you're going to love it, or at least like it an awful lot!

Enjoy it! And post back pictures when you get some chicken poops in it!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well even if it wasn't exactly what you were hoping for, it's still a good foundation for a coop, and with some work (some which can be done over time if needed) it should do just fine.

I probably would not cover the 3/8" gap at the soffit, I feel that's small enough that it shouldn't be an issue to have to do extra work on it.

Definitely think of either using some sort of flooring over the wood on the floor or painting it or coating it with something like Black Jack, as you don't want moisture eating into the floor.