help, i had contractors in my home and they destroyed it?

Question

I recently had tile work done in my home and was told the work would be completed by a certain day which it wasn't, was told that the workers would arrive to do the work at certain times and they wouldn't show up til 6 hours later and then stay until 11 and 12 at night. the work that was "done" was poor and sub-standard to say the least, we have made several complaints to the owner and he is demanding final payment when they haven't even finished the job!! They didn't install caulk around showers, tub or the sink where they laid the tile and never installed the baseboard mold when "they've completed" the job. Our commode still won't work, we called and our phone calls aren't answered, then all of a sudden a week later the contractor calls and asks if the commode has been repaired and we reply no. He says to take $60 off the remaining balance!!! what is our legal rights in paying this contractor and/or allowing him/his workers to "fix" the problem(s). We don't trust their work and have been cursed out by the contractor, please help..any lawyers out there?

Answer 1

I wouldn't pay him. I had poor tiling work done and didn't pay anything. The person just went away. I got another reputable company to come and fix the job and they did a great job and I paid them. Don't let this contractor near your house again and call the better business bureau. I had problems with my toilet after tiling was put in too.

Answer 2

Well chances are that if you delay payment much longer, the contractor will put a mechanics lean on your house for the amount of money he is owed. This will prevent you from selling or refinancing your home in the future until he is paid.

You will need to spend some more money to go to small claims court and state your case, and show photos of the bad workmanship.

The fact that they arrive late and stay late and still dont finish is irrelevant because that seems to be an accepted practice among contractors.

You should pay a plumber to put the commode back into working order. Make sure you get a receipt, and add it to your small claims court paperwork.

Not sure where you got the name of this contractor but I would make sure that you let the person that told you know that they are the worst. Obviously you will want to do your own research from now on.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Create a job file for this project.
- the original contract, signed by both parties.
- plans, description of project.
- a list of all payments made - include copies of cancelled checks
- a summary of every conversation you have with the contractor - date, time, subjects discussed, decisions/agreements made, tone of voice, etc.
- document everything done to this date. take lots of photographs of the state of the work. add any description you need to explain.
- make a 'punch list' of all the items that are unfinished to your expectations and satisfaction: toilet, tiling, base coving, etc.

You may want to hire another contractor to give you an estimate to complete the unfinished job. Ask for a detailed estimate for each task including materials and labor. The estimate will be useful if you need to go to court.

Tell the contractor the job is not finished per your punch list, and he has one opportunity to 'make things right.' Give him 24 (or 48) hours to give you a completion plan, with dates when his workers will be there. No excuses - if he doesn't call you, then he made his decision.

If he cannot give you a completion plan, or he refuses to finish the work, then fire him. If he wants more payment, then tell him that you will deal with him in small claims court. (I am assuming the unpaid amount is within the limits of your local small claims court allowances.) Take all of your documentation with you. You may be required to pay your contractor for any custom materials that he specially ordered for your job.

Then hire the other contractor.

Answer 4

If you paid them $500 or less, take them to small claims court. If you win the case the judge can rewaod you more than 500!
But you can not hire a lawyer for small claims. You can, But I don't recomend it.
Where did you find the contractor, and his employees?
If you paid them more than $500 dollars, get yourselve a good lawyer. Take them to court, If you win the case, you'll get a lot of money. The problem is, you don't know if he is rich, Do you? I'm an Attorney at Law for the state of California. I'll give you a free advice; next time, check for their license, how long they been in bussines? Check with one of their customer, to see if their satissfied! Next time, NO LICENSE, NO WORK! Did you paid some money in advance? Never do that!! It doesn't matter if it's a house work, or an automobile work!!

Answer 5

Take pictures and sue them in small claims court. No, you do NOT have to allow them to make repairs. Their work is so bad you are permitted to have someone else do the repairs and make the contractor pay for it. Check with his licensing source. You may be able to get his license revoked.

Answer 6

Be Careful, they may file a lien.
Get an estimate from someone else to finish; and possible pay fot it and sue the guy in Small Claims.

Answer 7

contact the better business burea in you town file a complaint. chek the states records at their website, and check to see if the person is even lliscensed in your state to do that work

Answer 8

You have the right answer, a lawyer, because it is a civil matter and not criminal. Take them to court.

Answer 9

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.....AND FILE A SMALL CLAIMS COURT JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR AT THE LOCAL COURTHOUSE....IT COSTS ABOUT 50.00 BUT YOULL RECEIVE IT BACK AT THE COURT HEARING....TAKE PICTURES OF ALL THE SLOPPY WORK AND COPIES OF YOUR REMOD. PAPERS.....BEST OF LUCK HOPE YOU WIN....ITS SOOO ANNNOYING......BEEN THERE

Answer 10

ill be your lawyer im only 15 but i find myself very persuasive