I need some serious advice on how to handle a terrible construction job that just wrapped up on my property. I hired a local handyman service to rebuild the wooden steps leading from my back door down to the grass yard. It’s only a flight of four stairs, so I thought it would be a simple one-day project.
Well, they finished up yesterday while I was at work, and when I got home and actually walked down the stairs, I immediately felt dizzy.
I pulled out a level tool and checked the steps. Every single tread is sloping downward toward the left side by almost an entire inch! It feels like you’re walking on a ramp, and it’s an absolute slipping hazard if the wood gets wet or icy. When I called the guy to complain, he told me my house foundation must be crooked and that he just followed the slope of the ground.
That sounds like total garbage to me because you’re supposed to cut the stair stringers to make the steps level regardless of the dirt underneath, right? He is demanding the final cash payment today but I want him to tear it out and fix it first. Am I within my rights to hold back the money until the stairs are physically safe to use?
I think you are right to question it yes, steps should be level and safe, not follow a slope. I wouldn’t pay the final amount until it’s fixed properly or inspected by someone else.
Absolutely withhold payment. He’s feeding you total garbage stairs must always be level, regardless of the ground slope. Don’t pay a dime until he fixes that dangerous slipping hazard.
Regarding your post about Contractor Built My Deck Stairs Completely Unleve Can I Refuse Final Payment? — Thanks for posting this! What’s your specific situation — material, size, budget? The more details you share, the better advice you’ll get from the community. Photos help tremendously if you have any!
Great to be back on the forum after a few months away — miss this community!
Joker, you’re absolutely right to hold back payment on those stairs. Beyond being unsafe (that slipping hazard is real), Ontario Building Code Section 9.8.4 requires stair treads to be level within 1/4" across the width and 3/16" from front to back. A contractor building stairs that follow the slope of the ground isn’t just doing bad work — they’re building something that won’t pass a permit inspection.
Here’s what I’d do:
Document everything — take level readings with a 4’ level on each tread and photograph them with the level in place
Get a written assessment from another licensed contractor before withholding final payment
Check if the original permit included stairs — if it did, call the municipal inspector. If it didn’t, that’s another red flag
Most contractors worth their salt know ground slope is handled by adjusting the number of risers or extending the landing. Building unlevel treads is just cutting corners. Don’t let him gaslight you into thinking that’s normal.
