Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

I had a home improvement contractor did poor workmanship and poor quality materials. Should I sue him?

It been a year since the contract been signed and most of the work done. I gave him 26,000 for upgrades in my home. I got a new 12 x 6 deck, three counter tops cultured marble laminate counter tops, laminant counter top for kitchen a new front door, an air condition, and water heater. In addtion plumbling fixture and sink for the kitchen. The contract written new and replace the old. He tries to justify why he used cheap materials. My deck falling apart wood and inside was built poor workmanship. I filed a complaint with local b.b.b. ans it s been six month nothing done to fix or replace issues. I requested receipts or itemized list. Nothing . The contractor still refuses to replace deck . Only a few boards. He says I should go after the subcontrator. The subcontracotr has not called . After getting estimates other companys , it will cost 10,000 to fix. He says he can do a insurance claim, but have no money. 10,000 unaccounted for and now he says his busniess closed to give me money. I was told it would cost more money to get a lawyer, because the work was 26,000. I guess I can say I got ripped off.

Public Comments

1. Yes I would and also report him to the BBB. They can pull his license so no one else gets burn.
2. If you have his signature on a contract, see if a lawyer with review it pro-bono. They'll be able to give you much better advice face-to-face, than anyone here. Bring pictures (or video) of everything with you to the meeting with the lawyer. I'm sorry you got taken, for $26K you should have gotten a top-notch 12x 16 deck, and MARBLE countertops. Not marble LAMINATE!!! The guys an A$$****, period!!
3. The BBB can't pull anything. All they can do is pass along you weren't happy. Get an attorney.
4. If your state licenses home improvement contractors, they may have something in place that you can use to dispute the workmanship. If you actually have a contract that says "cultured marble laminate countertops" there's something drastically wrong here. You either want marble countertops or laminate - they can't be both. The BBB only tries to get complaints worked out - it has no power over the businesses. Was all this work done properly with permits? Did your town's inspector come out to check the work when it was done? As to him telling you to go after the subcontractor on your deck, that is ridiculous. You contracted with him, not the subcontractor. He should contact the sub. A lawyer may be your best option at this point. Good luck.
5. .Your in a real pickle here. If you want the deck,pay to have it fixed. The issues are complex and if the guy does not have a business any longer ,you can sue, but for what you'd get in return might not be worth it for the time and effort you would invest and you still might not have a safe deck when your done. I'd suggest that you shop around for these repairs. Get a handyman to work for the labor only and you purchase the materials from the supplier. The handyman should be able to give you a list that you can use to purchase the materials. The supplier would also do the delivery. You should also shop around for the supplier and let your fingers do the walking after your handyman has given you the list. Make the handyman give you the names and phone numbers of his former customers where he has done work similar to the work you need done. If he can't or wont do this, then find another. Remember, the good handymen might be busy but will be worth the wait because the are good and other people know this too and that is why he is busy. Good luck