Dawson Development framing documentation

Address: 15540 Wind Song Drive, Anchorage, AK
Contractor: Erik Dawson, Dawson Development

Review of Dawson Development

Anchorage, Alaska

“Erik Dawson, the owner of Dawson Development, signed a contract to frame my home in Anchorage, Alaska. Inspection of Dawson’s finished work revealed an large number of errors, shoddy work, and deceptive practices. Dawson left seismic straps unattached and hidden from view, used the wrong materials, cut the sheathing into small crooked chunks with large gaps, used incorrect nailing throughout the house, and left extremely heavy components unsupported. Studs were not end-nailed, and when detached from sheathing simply fell out of the building assembly. Nearly all roof purlins were cut short and installed with improper nailing, severely compromising their ability to support the roof. Seismic straps were installed with inadequate nailing and could be pulled out by hand. An engineer, a municipal inspector, and a licensed framing inspector all concluded that Dawson’s work was unacceptable. Dawson’s ‘framing’ work was all demolished.

Dawson falsely claimed that an inspection had occurred and that his work had passed. After realizing the scale and scope of Dawson’s shoddy work, a financial review revealed that Dawson had also run up construction costs by thousands of dollars by ordering from a more expensive supplier with whom he had a business relationship, contrary to our agreement.

Dawson’s actions following assessment of his work appeared to be primarily concerned with compelling an NDA that would conceal his involvement with the project. Dawson demanded that I hold his workers (rather than him) responsible, and attempted to evade financial responsibility for his work.

It is my belief that Dawson is not only self-evidently incompetent, but also deeply unethical. His behavior caused an enormous amount of lost money and time. The only silver lining is that we caught Dawson before more work could proceed on the home, possibly saving us from further cots and saving any future building occupants from injury.”

Contract signed by Erik Dawson on behalf of Dawson Development: