I hired an unlicensed contractor to build 4 yard gates, install 3 bedroom doors, install two lights, hang up blinds, and install baseboards and trim. I paid him and he hasnt completed all the jobs or to my satisfaction. The gates open outwards and the latch is on the outside of the yard, he didnt put the bedroom door handles back on, and he didnt hang up the blinds. What are my options? (and please dont say i should have waited till the job was done because I know it was a mistake.)
2007-03-22 08:04:08 · 8 answers · asked by Robbyz3 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Hire a lawyer but your money probably just disappeared, especially if there is no written contract. Add these to your lessons learned:
1) Never hire an unlicensed contractor - you have no recourse
2) Never pay everything up front
2007-03-22 08:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by pater47 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry for you, where did you find this guy? Trying to save a dollar I imagine is not always the best solution, contact your local Hgh School, they should have a Building Trades Department, talk with the teacher, talk him in to coming over with the students and tools to see what what an unproffessional tradesman does, they will finish the job for you and you can make a donation to the school if you like, if not, you can hire a couple of the students to finish the job for you, aas for the contractor, take pictures of the work, lots of them and from every angle, get a lawyer and sue him, for damages and court costs and fees and your donation to the school to have the job finished, believe me, your lawyer will show the court that this guy was so bad that students did a better job. I hope this works
2007-03-22 08:16:51 · answer #2 · answered by sofmatty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, before I jumped into a legal battle, I'd exhaust all options. Most TV news stations now have an "On Your Side" reporter who will track down ppl like this miscreant contractor and expose what they've done on air. This way, they are exposed as rip-off artists and you get either your money back or the services finished w/ no attorney's fees. Look it up or call your local TV station.
2007-03-22 08:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by vabeachgirl324 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is why you a) never hire an unlicensed contractor, and b) never pay them in full if there's still work to be done.
Assuming he won't return your calls, your only recourse is to sue for breach of contract.
2007-03-22 08:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small claims court if the dollar figure to fix it is ok. You might try a letter first saying you have a bid to finish the work and are going to small claims court unless he comes out and fixes it.
You can also report him to the better business bureau (Remember that old thing?) or his contracting board.
2007-03-22 08:08:44 · answer #5 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him you will put his name on your local Internet with all the info and he will probably not get any other jobs if he does not make you happy. It's a shot.
2007-03-22 08:14:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-03-22 08:19:55 · answer #7 · answered by citronge69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be able to try small claims court.
It will be a legal matter though. Either see a lawyer, or check out small claims.
2007-03-22 08:09:12 · answer #8 · answered by powhound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋