Plumber trying to extort cash--how to defend?

Quick question followed by longer explanation: Our boiler permit expired after all the work was finally done but before the inspection occured. I had informed the licensed, contracted plumber at least a month in advance before it expired, and asked him to call for inspection, he delayed saying it was too late and so it lapsed. He then demanded 1500 to renew the permit, I got him down to 750 which is still insane but I agreed. He never did it, and now I contacted again after a few months of delays and he is demanding 3000. So, F him, I want to file a complaint—that is straight up extortion.
I owe him 1000 following successful completion of inspection and close out but would like to use that to pay another plumber to supercede and stand for inspection.
I find nothign on DOB or DCA for pursuing a contract complaint other than for the work itself.

Longer story, he was careless and made a ton of mistakes with the install. He would install, get it wrong, tweak something, then order a part that took two weeks to arrive, I’d have to call the boiler company only to learn h e was installing things incorrectly—the pump he ordered was 2x too powerful, the radiant floor wouldnt circulate because he had the wrong H attached to the manifold, erc For instance, he piped it wrong so that a call for hot water in summer would push hot water through our entire heating system. It took nearly a year to get a complete system taht works mostly correctly. He did have to wait on us to finish a reno in the basement that was delayed by a GC who fled (see my earlier posts), however this plumber often failed to show to finish his work. So the delays from finishing the work on time came from both sides.
Any help would be appreciated.

Lurker

in General Discussion 8 years and 7 months ago

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Lurker | 8 years and 7 months ago

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hey eman, i was fine, or at least got over payign the 750 for 1750 total. He’s now saying he won’t do it for less than 3000 plus the final 1000, simply because he wants to punish me. I’m in no position to drop 4k on a job that is complete and inspection ready–i had another plumber assess it who said while he would have done things different everything is to code and should pass.

eman134 | 8 years and 7 months ago

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There is no way anyone will supersede a plumbing job for under $1500 and that does not include the inevitable work that will need to be done to correct what they perceive as previously done wrong…eat the $750…its a bargain

katdov | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Not sure it will help, but I had Midwood plumbing do my boiler swap and they were very good and very reasonably priced. Plus Joe, the owner, seemed very ethical and knowledgeable.

Lurker | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks MP. I agree and as one hears a lot on here I thought he was the real deal–he came as a certified installer by the boiler company, which I later learned means he sat in on a weekend class.
I had another plumber look at it, who said everything seemed fine though he would have done differently (surprise!). I think this guy simply wants an easy payday because we had walked back his original contract based on work that wasn’t performed. We do have a contract which specifies final payment based on successful inspection. He isn’t budging so far. His contract doesn’t specify filing costs other than the initial supersede, and he says he wants 1500 per permit, and so this falls in a grey area.

Master Plvmber | 8 years and 7 months ago

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It’s difficult to find a good boiler installer. Especially when it comes to adding radiant floor heating zones and anything but a typical installation. Plumbers and HVAC companies routinely bid on work they have no idea how to complete. I see it all the time.
I suspect there is something up with your installation that your installer doesn’t want a DoB inspector to see. Also, look at your contract (please tell me you have a contract) and see if it includes permits/inspections/signoffs. If it does, then you have a small claims court issue for the breach of contract.