Question about Contractor
I’m having some work done in my apartment. I got several bids and ended up going with the guy who was the nicest (and most expensive) after he agreed to match the price of the other two. The job has now gone on for triple the amount of time he originally estimated and he had…
I’m having some work done in my apartment. I got several bids and ended up going with the guy who was the nicest (and most expensive) after he agreed to match the price of the other two. The job has now gone on for triple the amount of time he originally estimated and he had to fire the first guy who was working on it because he was too slow. He offered to do many additional things for us in the beginning and consistently overpromised. He has thrown in a few things for us without charging, but now he’s complaining that it’s taken too long and he’s had to spend too much money on materials and wants more money. He keeps complaining about how little he’s making on the job. I had other offers which as good and much less expensive and would have gone with them if I had known this was going to happen. The job has cost double what we budgeted, taken way too long, and I’m not inclined to give him anymore money. He has done a good job so far though. Is this par for the course? Can I legitimately refuse to give him more money at this point?
The thing that caught my eye was you saying at the end, “he’s done a very good job though.” Shouldn’t that be the biggest consideration here? Almost all construction projects take longer and cost more, and it is often true that contractors are unrealistically optimistic. The contractor made a mistake by lowering his price to get the job, probably hoping he’d somehow be able to pull it off, but the reality is that he needed the amount of money he quoted to do the job well. Taking a job out of desperation is a formula for disaster, which you’ve now experienced, and so has he. Contractors often make the mistake of doing things during a job and not pointing out to the homeowner that they are extras, it’s only when they are in deeper that they realize they’re losing money and ask for these things to be covered. Question: Do you think if you’d gone with either of the other two bids you would have gotten as good a job? What was it about this guy that made you choose him? I really hope you guys work it out because it sounds like there were good intentions and that in the end you are happy with the work.
b2b, glad it worked out. Seems a lack of experience on your part and lack of communications skills on his part were the problem. If he did a good job, you’re ahead of the game. You’ll see the good job every day and soon forget about what it cost 🙂
Who is this contractor???
So we know to stay away!!!
Thanks for all the comments. My husband is a softie and agreed to give him the extra $ he was looking for. He has done a lot of things that were not contemplated as part of the job, but then he never said he was going to want money for those things. As I said, this is my first time working with a contractor, so I guess you live and learn. He did do a very good job though.
If your contractor is licensed with dca he can put a lien on your property and so can his suppliers if he doesn’t pay them.
The subcontractors can do the same.
If you have a contract and the contractor is not licensed and you end up in court you might not have to pay him. it is up to the judge.
There is a two sided sword going on with the profession, licensing and the court system.
call dca and get a copy of the requirements for applying for hic lisence. It might be on the internet. it is a fun read.
you will learn all sorts of interesting things. now that is the gospel according to ysabelle.
i wish you the best of luck.
You have no obligation to pay him. If you choose not to pay him:
You should read the requirments of a contract for home improvement contractors on the NYC DOCA website. If he has not executed the contract with all the points they set forth, there is a very good chance a judge will dismiss the suit.
If there is no contract, he CANNOT put a mechanic’s lien on your properoty – the judge will dismiss it nor can he sue you because that too will get dismissed.
If he is not licensed, any suit will be dismissed, the same with a lien. And DCA will be all over him.
DCA makes the requirements pretty plain.
Steve
All customers are disorganized and a royal pain in the ass. There math skills are even worse.. There great at tap dancing through your wallet. THEIR grammar skills are lacking as well 🙂
All contractors are disorganized and a royal pain in the ass. There math skills are even worse.. There great at tap dancing through your wallet.
I don’t know how many times I’ve misestimated something – usually time – and I never let the customer know. His goal should be to complete that job in a professional manner so you give him more work (and the chance to make this up a little) or refer him to your friends. The only time I ask for more money is when the customer asks me to do more – and sometimes – if it is something small and they are nice to work for – I will charge only for materials.
We should all be gratefull to have the work in this economy.
Steve