Gaps between the stud ends - Not good?

I'm a layperson, but this doesn't look right. This is a frame for a new gas fireplace - so not load-bearing, but still...

Please - someone with experience please tell me if this looks ok (see attachments). While it may hold sheetrock, would it hold a wall mounted TV?

Should I expect the contractor to redo this? I feel that I could have done a better job measuring and cutting!

Thanks,

jer029

 

Cut to short, cut crooked, wrong nailing pattern, should have used steel studs since it's so close to the pipe.
Is there even a stud in the wall where he attached the studs to the wall? If not the sheetrock needed to be removed so backers could be installed to attach it to.
Where's the backing plate to mount the TV bracket to?

 

The nailing job makes me shudder and think that this contractor may have watched an episode or two on HGTV and think they can go into business.

Personally I would be looking for a different contractor. I would not even trust to have that person fix their previous work. Nobody with much experience or pride would leave nails not completely driven into the wood. Not to mention cutting studs too short.

 

Hire someone else. That looks absolutely horrible. I wouldn't even want to waste my time discussing this with the guy who did that, much less having to hover over them while they tried again.

 

Thanks everyone! Confirmed my suspicions.

 

Since we are a DIY site here is one way it could have been done. That whole wall could have been built in place on the floor with nails driven straight in, no toenailing. The trick is you build it 1-7/16 less than the distance from floor to ceiling. That gives you the room to tilt it up. A second top plate is secured to the ceiling and it is slid underneath and driven plumb slightly compressing the Sheetrock.

2x8s should be placed flat horizontally between the studs where the tv will be mounted. Easiest way to do that is to screw in 2x2 cleats and screw the 2x8s to them. Same applies to metal studs.

The wall should be out far enough the studs don't have to be notched. Assumes double wall ducting.

 

I whizzed through the OP and only saw the word "layperson". Hey, it's OK to miss a nail or so not being accustomed to the trade. I re-read the post and find this was done by a "contractor"....NO Way. Those lines weren't "suggested" places, but firm lines to put the studs in. He hit too close to the end of his board with too short of nails. As Ray said, it could have been neatly built on the floor and raised into position under a top plate. Set his tools on the driveway and cover them with plastic to keep the water off, but don't let him back in, please. Between the 10 of us and you, you can do this yourself, much better, even with no experience.....which I dare say your contractor had.

I would like to see a picture further back in the room showing the opening, please, as it all may have to come out anyway. The back wall must have cbu instead of sheetrock, and as Joe said, metal studs would have been much better and would have complied with code once you get to your box, which I am afraid is framed too close with a combustible material.

 

Actually the one board is nailed to the floor and one to the ceiling. Some of the original framing was too close for the fireplace guy to install - forcing him to rip out some of the framing for the install and then they reframed around it (my first issue of concern regarding this contractor).

The actual clearance according to the fireplace is 1" except for top, which is 3". The notched stud was because the vent had to angle due to other obstructions, placing it too close to the one stud.

It passed city code inspection.

Here are some additional pics. Yikes - now I don't know what to do -- this is part of a major basement remodel.

 

OK, more information is good. The fireplace guys did the butchering, not the contractor. The clearances now that we can see the type pipe used and the spacing is fine for that type pipe. If the inspector passed it, we can't say anything except the fireplace guys hacked an otherwise good installation.

Now to a few questions. Where is your hearth? What do you plan on doing for a floor covering? Will it obstruct the bottom of the fireplace venting and drop down doors?
Next, the inspector saw the drapes that close to the opening of the firebox? Do you have plans to modify that situation?
As mentioned earlier, you need wiring for a receptacle and either cable or HDMI for above the fireplace for your tv, plus blocking for your mount.
What will be your final finish on the face of the fireplace? Rock, sheetrock, paneling, etc? Did the fireplace guys leave clearance for such a finish? Do you plan on having a mantel? Now is a good time to plan on mounting it prior to the wall finish.

 

I'll leave the code compliance issues to the pros here but those drapes right next to the fireplace make me really really nervous. You're not gonna leave them there, are you?

 

First of all, I really appreciate all the feedback and those of you who took the time to provide it.

You guys know this is a gas fireplace right? So it should be a bit safer than the regular kind. Yes - the curtains will go - (probably replaced by vertical blinds or something similar).

I'm actually liking the fireplace guy better than the contractor. The original framing done by the contractor was sound. The fireplace guy had to take it apart to put the gas fireplace in farther away from the wall, then a different guy came in to re-frame around the installed fireplace. It was the contractor who reframed - but (it seems to me) did a really poor job reframing the fireplace with the gaps, one of the studs is loose, and the center one on the side sticks our farther than the end studs - which makes me question how they can nail sheetrock to that when the center stud protrudes out farther than the two ends.

This gas fireplace will have a stone front with a wood mantle above it. The clearance for the stone front is only a couple inches - which should fit before the window frame - although the curtains are a bit too close to it all (They're the old coverings that I keep there for privacy).

My hope is to have a gas fireplace that won't asphyxiate me, burn my house down or have the surrounding wall collapse if someone leans on it. I would also like the option of placing a flat screen TV above the fireplace without having the whole front fall down.

Is there still a consensus that the framing job is substandard - particularly the gaps at the top?

Thanks again.

jr

 

Oh...and it's a tile floor going in. The electrical for the fireplace control is on the wall by the window frame to the right of the fireplace. The cable hookup and outlet for the TV is off to the left away from the fireplace - but will be in the area where entertainment stuff like DVD player and Amp will be placed.

 

So you are going to run an extension cord draped over your mantel down to the receptacle for the TV to operate off of?? If you are going to hang the TV on the front of the fireplace, consider extending your electrical and TV required cables into the cavity now. I understand about the peripheral equipment, but the TV doesn't need extension cords hanging about.

Mantel......mount it first, before the rock goes on. Have you decided on a design, yet? I am bringing this up because I have done this many, many times, and am trying to save you a "gotcha" moment once you are covered up with OSB and lath.

 

Wow, thanks...I'll have to think on that. I hadn't decided for sure if the TV would go above the fireplace, so would want the connections to allow for TV or no TV. Still the cords are ugly - but thought I could run it along the edge with some of that plastic hide-a-cord conduit stuff. I used it in my living room for my surround sound speakers and it really cleans up the look very nicely.

I'll probably have time to think on this while I make the contractor come back and reframe the fireplace properly.

jr

 

Need something like this before the wall gets closed up.
Amazon.com: ON-Q / Legrand HT2102-WH-V1 Flat Panel TV Connection Kit: Home Improvement
No way would I be running surface mounted cords any place.

 

Thanks everyone...the owner of the company is now managing my basement remodel personally, and they ripped the old framing out and did it right. Missed the pic of new framing - but here's the current status.

Thanks again for all your prompt and helpful responses and suggestions. I forwarded the comments to the owner with my pictures and it really got their attention.

jr

 

Hope the owner ripped the employee who did it a new one too. Looks good. Thanks for the update.