Update on shotty built chicken coop

[Rosekitten]

So paying 3k for a coop that's got a 4x8 run and having the doors falling apart/unstable within the first month of use and the issue being worse now 3 months into the coop being used is normal...? Had I known that I would have been better off buying two of the small TS coops as I've heard a number of folks have those last for years without issues. Anywhere there were staples I have to replace with screws as they are all coming out. There are spots where the wood is already molding or showing rot (mostly where the knots were exposed and some of the spots where they put nails in that caused the side panels to crack).

 

[StinkyAcres]

having the doors falling apart/unstable within the first month of use and the issue being worse now 3 months into the coop being used is normal...?

No, like I said the doors were not built correctly (no diagonal bracing and they probably didn't choose the best wood from the pile). I'm betting the wood was very wet when they used it which would cause more warping and the staples to come out as it dries. But sometimes it's impossible to wait for it to dry before using it.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I still think they should come fix it at no cost to you.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So paying 3k for a coop that's got a 4x8 run and having the doors falling apart/unstable within the first month of use and the issue being worse now 3 months into the coop being used is normal...? Had I known that I would have been better off buying two of the small TS coops as I've heard a number of folks have those last for years without issues. Anywhere there were staples I have to replace with screws as they are all coming out. There are spots where the wood is already molding or showing rot (mostly where the knots were exposed and some of the spots where they put nails in that caused the side panels to crack).

Not at all what I said. Apologies if my tone suggested otherwise, I have been in the legal business, if you will, for a long long time. Just trying to offer an honest assessment of your chances, and hopefully help you avoid the traps of making claims that you can't support which will just hurt your credibility on the claims you can support.
The workmanship is clearly subpar. Focus on that. Don't say they didn't use the right kind of lumber, as they did use pressure treated. If you are going to focus on obvious defects in the lumber, it needs to be of the nature that it affects the product structurally. Unless they made representations promises warranties in writing that they are clearly in violation of. Words like best and top quality are puffery. They aren't enforceable because they have no objective measure.

Your argument should focus on whether or not the product is as represented, and meets commercial standards. If they have pictures on their websites that show nothing but screws and they say all screwed construction, then absolutely raise h e double hockey sticks about the use of nails and Tiny Staples. If the pictures of the product you bought on their website show those things however, you don't have that argument. Certainly a lot of coops do use nails and Staples. That will hurt you on a meet commercial standards basis.

On the other hand if you were to go to your local Tractor Supply and Lowe's and whatever and snap pictures of their coops and grab pictures of the coops from these guys that built this thing from you, and maybe from other Coupe builders in your area, and they all show nice tight corners on the doors, then yes you have a real good argument that the doors you receive didn't meet commercial standards. Then they have an opportunity to cure. To make their work right, either by repairing or compensating you for it.

That's the reality in a nutshell from a non lawyer. This is not legal advice. It's just experience talking. Again I wish you every Fortune with this, and remind you that if you have to take it to small claims court, it's not a court of law it's a court of equity. That means the small claims judge can do pretty much whatever they please. Rough justice. A balancing of the equities. So it pays to be on the judge's good side.