He charged them 2300 for remodeling an old bathroom. Everything all new. They had no problem until payday and barely gave us our check. Now, four weeks later, they claim we "ruined" their bathroom walls. We charged 800 for the labor of nine days. They have called and said that they are going to sue. They've called our house five times today cussing us out. Shouldn't they wait and get their lawer to call. Can they be harrasing us like this? Their walls look just like a new bathroom and we have no idea what they are talking about. Didn't they close the deal by handing us the check. They waited four weeks to call us. How does this sound?
2007-09-18 10:45:06 · 7 answers · asked by justintime03_2 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They said that we runied their walls and that they look terrible. We build houses every year and do the same quality drywall in them as we did with this job. In all our years, we've never had a complaint.
2007-09-18 11:03:42 · update #1
It sounds like you need to get a lawyer. They are permitted to represent themselves (you are as well) however foolish it may be.
2007-09-18 10:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They would not have a lawyer as this is a small claims issue in most states.
There is more to the story. 4 weeks and they go off? They may be nutjobs but people usually don't suddenly call 5 times in day after 4 weeks. Bet they called before. Even if it was 5 times for the first time people get irritated when a business does not answer a cell phone. To start cussing? HMMM....Regardless.......
You dad does not get half up front or anything like that but waits for a lump sum? A side issue. He should also have a form that the customer signs saying that they are satisfied with the job.
As another said any contact with these people should be written down even if it is messages..... from either party. Time, date and what was said as if it goes to court it will help.
He should not just blow them off and say "sue me". This would look bad in court. He needs to show good faith. Plus he needs to see what they are talking about in advance. He calls and sets up an appointment to go see them. He listens to their concerns and explains to them whatever they might not understand. He needs to write down everything that was said. This will show he tried to remedy their complaint.
Of course he should take a camera and take pictures. If at that point he says sue me, fine.
I have owned 7 houses so far in my life so far and had tons of remodeling done here and there. If something is wrong I know then. But one time my then wife was going nuts over some small thing so I called and had the guy come back. When I called he responded in a heartbeat but of course he could not come that day since he was working on something and that was fine. Though not scheduled to come until 2 days later the next day he called and just said "Just letting you know I will be there".
He came, looked, talked to the wife and fixed. Since he answered so fast and was professional when I redid my basement I called him ($15,000). I also refered him to people I know.
In any business it is managing your customers. But contractors have a bad name. Yes they may be odd but they may have valid concerns. Just going over may take care of all of this. Once that is done he will have a better deal if they do sue.
2007-09-18 12:00:10 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a painting contractor, and have dealt with this before. The first time it happened, I was upset by it, and tried to reach a resolution, to no avail. I finally found out that the wife didn't want to spend the money, and was upset that the husband payed for it without her consent. I did the work while the wife was away on business, and she blew a gasket when she got back.
Now to your answer, tell them to sue. If you did your work properly, they won't have a case. I ALWAYS take detailed before and after pictures for just this reason. I hope your father did as well.
If they continue to call, file harassment charges against them.
A contract requires consent that is validated by payment...this is not the legal language, but the meaning of the language.
2007-09-18 11:02:14 · answer #3 · answered by Kirk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh man yeah theres a bunch of douche bags like that in this world and i know exactly what you mean..... try to make there stupid back plan back fire, record the phone call every time they call, explain everything that happen to the judge get a lawyer and stick to your story, show confidence, and if your dad gave them a contract to sign that would be very good, also why are they complaining according to them what did you guys do wrong?
2007-09-18 10:55:04 · answer #4 · answered by hallow_tip_mac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seriously doubt that 'you have no idea what they are talking about'.
You may disagree with them, but I'm sure they were more specific in their allegations that the walls were 'ruined'. Are they unhappy because the walls aren't plumb? Do they object to the paint or tile?
Find the specific reason that they aren't content. I have had customers RIP ME APART, and then find out that the problem was something simple, such as they didn't like the color of the walls.
2007-09-18 10:56:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
try and record these calls. it will look favourably for you.
this happens in uk often. has happened to my dad and the company he works for. They've done loads of work then the people have refused to pay. Winning the case is 50/50 i'm afraid so try adn get a recording of them cussing you out. it will make them look very bad in court.
besides if those people were unhappy with the work done they should've asked your dad to come back and re-do it. since they didn't they are obviously happy with it and just don't want to pay.
good luck
2007-09-18 10:52:32 · answer #6 · answered by tons'o'fun 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like they are having buyers remorse. Yes, they should have a lawyer call.
2007-09-18 10:53:38 · answer #7 · answered by llibretrac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋