In Hong Kong, if you want to hire a contractor to renovate your property, you have got to draw up a mutual agreement to protect both interests. From what I have seen in the reality show; The Apprentice (can't remember which season) there was one part where Donald Trump assigned the groups an empty hse each and had them hired a contractor... but the contractor didn't deliver as promised. Is drawing up such mutual agreement a feasible idea? because from what I observe, especially in my country (M'sia) ppl hire contractor based on trust, that means I trust you to carry the work in utmost good faith, and when the job is done, I will pay you. As happened to my cousin when she bought a new hse years ago, the contractor actually threatened her for more money, otherwise he would do something nasty to her hse. Not jz that, the work completed wasn't up to std and she had to hire another contractor to carry on the work. So i wonder has anybody experience such thing b4, and how do u solve that?
2007-01-30 21:30:35 · 5 answers · asked by The K 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
This sort of thing happens all the time; it happened to someone at the end of my street who had hired on contractor based on reputation and ran into horrible problems when the contractor went bankrupt and refused to do any more work (for which he had already been paid) unless he was paid even more money. The whole nasty affair dragged on for two years.
The upshot is this: no contract, however well written, will prevent a contractor who is bound and determined not to hold up his end of the bargain from reneging on the deal. If a contractor has decided not to keep his side of the agreement then the customer is out of luck. Sure, the customer can sue the contractor, but the contractor can go bankrupt, and even if the customer wins a judgment there is the matter of collecting on it.
If there is no mutual good will then nothing can be written that will prevent disaster.
2007-02-01 12:11:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a contractor I ALWAYS have a written contract. Misunderstading usually occur. USUALLY the contractee expects way more than what they pay for. Yes I know it happens the other way too. That's why a WRITTEN AGREEMENT IS A MUST. This is good for all parties and provides clarity when written properly
To add to kokopelli. I have had a contract and at the end of the job the homeowner felt I would accept half the contracted price with the threat that court would take years to pay. So all parties can be tempted to ripp -off
2007-02-07 13:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by tim s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Always have a written contract. If you don`t trust your self to write one, check the web, or get an Attorney to complete one for you.
Make sure the larger part of the payment is payable up on completion of the job.
With all your fences in place you will probably get shafted 1 out 10 times.
2007-02-06 17:24:46 · answer #3 · answered by George O 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contracts are common practice here too. You're lucky if you can get a contractor to perform WITH one. Don't let anyone touch your house without first gaining your trust and signing a legally binding contract. You should include what is to be done, what is not to be done, who is going to do what, when is it going to be done, what are the payment parameters.
2007-02-07 14:17:29 · answer #4 · answered by Scott K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
renovate the things or the house if neccassary but, don't waste the money . take suggestions from interior decorater
2007-02-07 19:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋