Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

Are you a home contractor?

Have you ever agreed to do some work that you really couldn't do? But you figured, it couldnt be that hard...or you thought you would be able to find someone to work alongside you who knew what to do? When or if you realised it was "over your head" did you decline the job, removed/replaced yourself, or did you persist doggedly? I assume wanting or needing the money would be factors? But basically, this contractor here today is trying to fit sqare pegs in round holes...and when it doesnt work he just uses "force"...his work is rough and will have to be redone. **For example, cutting countertops with a dull blade so it came out quite jagged, he says...no one will really see that ,u prbably will put your countertop appliances near here anyway** He also does not have supplies, constantly gone for little things. And has broken stuff. Though he came with recommendations he is not working for me! Shld I give him time to perform better or just axe him after 2 days?

Public Comments

1. I am a contractor...a painting contractor who works in the luxury home market...I see a lot of trades people and I can tell you you have a hack for a contractor,pay him for his time up til now and cut him loose or you will only get more headaches.
2. If they've only just begun....cut your losses now. It'll be the best for both of you.
3. I did it for over 30 years, Pay the guy and tell to remove his tools over the weekend Cut your losses
4. As a handyman myself it looks like you found a wiener. "You'll probably put an appliance here anyway"??? There is NO excuse for this kind of work. As far as him going out for parts, well that may be necessary. Most of us don't carry much inventory on us. But when I make a parts run, I don't charge it to the job (sometimes I'll charge a latte tho, hee-hee). I would ask him for his license number (he doesn't have one, I'll bet) and if he has insurance and bonding. When he says "No" tell him that without it you can no longer do business with him. If you keep him on, he'll just screw something else up. Good luck....Rick
5. Get rid of him! My husband is a contractor and not one of his clients would put up with that. Tell him you want professional work and want the counter top replaced at his cost. If he is professional he has insurance. Although, if it is under $1000 he pay for this out of pocket. Tell him you will take him to small claims court if he does fix the shabby job!!!!!! If you wait too long it will cost you more $$. Act now!
6. Is the contractor licensed? Do you have a contract with him/her? Many today are in this business and know nothing about the everyday ins and outs of the business. If licensed and you have a contract, you will have to allow him to finish the work. He can sue otherwise. Inspected homes for approx. 15 years and built homes for 20 years along with remodeling homes and commercial buildings. Have seen some nasty messes which went to court. Sticky wicket. Do not pay him all at once. Always pay a contractor in increments of three, One third when he shows up at the job with tools and material for the first half of the job, another third when half done. The last payment is not made until he is finished and you accept the work. In most states a preliminary lien notice is required to be given to you at least three days prior to commencing work. Was this done? Has a permit been obtained for this project? If not, you have no protection that his work is done properly. Cosmetic flaws are not the bailiwick of a City building department. Only your acceptance is what counts, that is if you have not paid him. Take alot of pics of his work, they will be needed in court. Have another person with you when you tell him about his flaws. [Those are things needed if you have to sue.] Good luck. In the future, always get three different bids on any big job. Write a work order and give a copy to each contractor, if they will not look at the job together. You will invariably tell one one thing and the other another thing if done separately and without a detailed description of the work involved. Makes it difficult to get a good set of bids. Hisemiester
7. he sounds more like a half asser than a contractor....the world is full of them , I have a paint company , I am the contractor , my crew is made to be clean ,and professional at all times , I carry a million dollar liability policy that will replace things if they become damaged ,or scratched which has not happened yet . most painters will not work for me because I demand top quality work , I saw one drop of paint ,and fired everybody ... the people I paint for are extremely wealthy , they demand the best ,and I give them the best ,, they can be very happy with the job , but if I see where my crew cut corners or did something half *ss the job is done again ,at their expense customer happiness is only one factor , my happiness is the other . I do not pay anyone to fk stuff up . I would tell this bum to get lite ,and beat feet , before it costs you more in the long run , it does not matter if no one will see the jagged edges , you know they are there ,and so does he , make him fix it or go the h*ll on...there are too many cheap *ss half *ssers out there giving the professional contractor a bad name ...most professionals are from the old school , they have been around for years ,and years , most newer contractors take a test ,get the title and half *ss there way through life , my dad started his company in 1968 I have been around it all my life , and now have the company , we still work for his original clients , and now there kids , and grandchildren .. run this bum off before he fks up your house tell him to fix the fk ups out of his pocket or get to steppin , just remember the more this idiot fks up stuff the more it will cost to have it redone ... if he does not have his tools on the job , then he is not ready to work , there is no excuse to have to leave the job to buy tools , if he is that un prepared to work , I would be just as un prepared to write this dk head a check , when he is waiting for a check I would say , I got to run to the bank , then come home ,and say oops I have to go buy a pen , refuse to use his tell him you only use a certain type of pen , leave ..go shopping or golfing , he can wait ..
8. I'd fire him. I would expect to be fired for that kind of work. I try very hard not to promise what I can't deliver. If I'm unsure of a job I say so,and only proceed if the customer wants me to.