Construction attorney recommendation.

I took out 203k rehab mortgage and my contractor walked off the job leaving me with multiple violations and open permits. I filed a DCA complaint and they responded that the contractor was unlicensed.  I don’t understand how did an unlicensed contractor managed to slip past the bank.  I picked him out of a list of eligible contractors provided by the bank(Citi Mortgage).  I emailed The rehab coordinator at the bank to get a copy of this guy” license”  and she is not returning my phone calls/emails.  Tried talking to her supervisor but its not getting me anywhere.  Is it worth starting legal action against the contractor/bank?  There’s about $20k still remaining in escrow.

elgato

in DIY 12 years and 4 months ago

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eme1million | 12 years and 4 months ago

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The 203K program is a racket in which everyone involved is getting paid out of your pocket.  It is a great program if you have no other option (I used it to buy my first building). But the contractors are on the bank’s list because they paid someone and agreed to work within the confines of the program – not because they are good contractors or, in your case, even licensed.  But you really have nothing to gain by going after anyone in a legal setting, so forget that.  Focus now on finding a good 203K contractor who can pick up the pieces and get the job finished with what you left in the escrow account.  If you get your work done, within the 203K budget, and in a reasonable timeframe, you will, in the end, consider yourself lucky.

pristine | 12 years and 4 months ago

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I think an attorney can help you better.

zampano | 12 years and 4 months ago

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A contractor working on a 1 to 4 family, coop or condo unit needs a HIC license to pull a DOB permit. Something not right here

brokelin | 12 years and 4 months ago

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The person who can best answer this question is an attorney you consult with with all the facts. Curious, though, since you hired the contractor, not the bank, why you didn’t check to see if he was licensed yourself.  Isn’t your biggest concern, at this point, getting a new licensed contractor in place, so you can get the rest of the payments from the bank for work completed in a timely manner? How does suing the bank right now help you to get your home finished within the deadline for the loan? Doesn’t that require working with the bank?

greenmountain | 12 years and 4 months ago

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  The Cat was let down by his contractor, his bank, NYC DCA, NYS Workers’ Comp Board, and the NYS Dept of Tax and Finance.  Still, home owners are free to hire unlicensed contractors.  Anybody can recommend unlicensed contractors.  The law only requires contractors to be licensed.  Home owners don’t have to even sign contracts with those who work in their homes.  They can pay by the hour, or avoid any other consumer protection.  There is no legal penalty or requirement for the home owner. As a licensed contractor, who has testified in a hearing of the NYC Council DCA committee on Home Improvement Contractors, I would be glad to speak to you about why (I believe) over 90 % of HIC’s would rather risk the penalties than follow the rules. Nobody really knows how many of us are cheating, or working at all, because statistically, and for insurance purposes, we are lumped in with new construction firms.  If I am right about near universal failure to attract HIC’s to the “mandatory” licensing program, than blame can be spread thick and wide. Commissioner Mintz, are you reading this?  Your staff didn’t even have the courtesy to stay in the hearing to listen to the testimony of Home Improvement Contractors, after we listened to their testimony.  I would be glad to speak with you too. You can find me in the directory under Shower Stalls.  Green Mountain.