I'm a builder and this is typical.

If all the changes were in writing it's one thing. But you said he was "adding on a lot of stuff we had 'assumed' were paid for." So there may be genuine confusion on the matter.

If you're satisfied overall and the charges are not too outrageous, I'd lean towards some compromise. (Of course, I don't always follow my own advice.)

Your GC would be the one that should have made sure everything was in writing. Is that correct, Worthy?
Our framer told us to make any and all changes we wanted to the plan before they started. We did and had everyone initial and date the changes on the plan. Still, our framer actually supervises 3-4 crews and the actual crew on the jobsite wanted extra for some of the items that had been discussed and signed off on before we began. It got ugly before it was over. If we had not discussed the items with them and everyone signed, I would have been happy to pay an appropriate amount. Since it was in writing, we stood firm. Glad framing is over. Now we are dealing with trim guys. :)

Worthy, txgal, thanks for the replys. My DH and I just spent 6....Yes, six hours with our GC. Apparently, our framer had written up 3 pages of changes he did, titled extras already done/not paid. These changes included a lot of verbal, yeah, move that, we can do this, etc. We are paying for the additional lumber,if any,for the changes. However, his 3 pages of changes, labor only, were charges never mentioned, nor agreed upon, added up to $12, 545.
Next, he has 3 pages of extra's, titled, extra's not done yet. These items include integral elements of the house. A lot of other factors are predicated on these changes (most of which are "I'll do this, instead of that", and, we have talked about (months ago). This added up to $12,135.
Next, he has 2 sheets amounting to $13,000 for the additional lumber he says all of our changes amount to.
Frankly, I am sick to my stomach about all of this.
After having spent the day with our GC, he is taking this back to the framer and trying to explain to him why we are refusing to pay for about 90% of these charges.
I am not quite sure what we can do from here. I have a lot of the documentation showing these changes, dates, etc. and a document showing "paid in full" for changes made and/or discussed up to the dated document.
Any other ideas?
Thanks, can't sleep, hard to drum up an appetite and fuming over the fact this guy is trying to take advantage of us. :(

This is most likely the result of talking to the framer without the GC present, or if the GC was present he didn't perform his contractural duty regarding changes in the work, or you don't have a professionally written contract, or all of the above.

Yes, sadly, all of the above. At this point in framing, I am thinking we will have to try and compromise so both parties do not feel stabbed to death, or it could really get ugly.
Our GC hates conflict and it is so apparent as he is trying to make "nice" between the two of us.
At this point, it would take too long to try and get someone else to complete the framing so that we could move on, plus then we would still have to deal with this guy somehow.
I'm not quite sure how best to handle this situation.

Wow, your talking about an additional $37,680! I'm not sure the size or cost of your home or what your original estimate was for framing but that's a huge amount to me for additonal charges and changes.

Start pulling whatever paperwork you have and reviewing it. For that amount of charges I'd consider a lawyer (and I'm not one to normally suggest running to a lawyer). And I would not be so quick as to not consider getting another framer.

We too have framer problems and they were the worst subs we encountered. I was so glad when we finally could let the framer go. Though he hadn't finished everything we set an end date for his work and finished the remainder ourselves. Ours had hoped to make us his "winter income". We gave him 2 weeks notice and a priority list. He finished little on the list and honestly thought we wouldn't stick to that final date. We did. Hope all turns out well for you.

Your GC appears to be incapable of managing changes in a professional manner so it is time to get a professional involved. Find a local architect, engineer or retired builder and start the process all over again.

I would also ask the GC to what level he was going to "participate" in the settlement. I would start by telling him there would be no mark up on the cost of changes since he provided no project management services.

My issues with framers have never been more than in the hundreds of dollars. On my current project, the only issue was a $125 chargeback from the drywaller. The framer decided that installing pocket door frames, even though they're in the plans, is "trimwork", not framing. (I never bother with the few hours of adding bits and pieces that I do myself.)

mightyanvil "nails" it perfectly, so to speak.
Any homeowner who wanders around asking for just "this and that little change" is asking for trouble bigtime.

I keep telling clients to work it all out on paper beforehand. That way it's just drawing lines. Trades see "changes" as a windfall opportunity and they charge accordingly.

Thanks for the sound responses. Needless to say I did not sleep last night. Instead, I took the list of invoices the framer presented to the GC and my DH and I went thru item by item with our resonse. I typed it all up, very matter of factly and presented the facts.
I then called the GC this morning and told him he better resolve this issue by Tuesday morning so that A) work will continue and we can get thru the framing stage or B) we are looking for a new framer to complete the job and he has the bill, since he was aware of every single issue before they were commenced with the sub contractor. I reminded him I was the customer and did not need to feel like the enemy.
He made the right step and is currently working with the framer as I type. He has my write up, and all of my documents I have faxed him, before all of this, that I reference in my response.
I would recommend this to anyone just beginning to build:
Among a thousand other things, add this to the list-

1. I had an addendum to my plans to try and catch some of the things that I wanted but didn't make it on the plans. Ie, shelves in closets, niches, etc. This addendum has saved me numerous arguments with the framer, GC since we went over this addendum line by line before they bid the job. Everyone agreed to the plans and the addendum. This is worth its weight in gold.
2. Every day, I note items that we have questions on, maybe items that need to get resolved, whatever the case, but I note them down, date the occurance, and then email it to my GC in the morning once it's updated from the day before. The items completed are left on the document, only not highlighted. The items in progress are highlighted red, with updated comments on their progress daily until it's marked "done". This document serves as my memory on what was said, agreed upon, etc, to make sure everyone is on the same sheet of music and understands the issues correctly. This document involves all aspects of the house, tile guy, electrical, plumbing, etc., it's been invaluable, especially when issues like this come up.
3. Pictures to document work progress, site cleanliness, safety, good things and bad. It's been written here before, document everything, record everything and keep it safe for if/when you may have to use it.
4. If you have a change, get it in writing, agree beforehand and then get all parties involved to sign it. I thought I would be good about this, but as you can see, as things get busy, all smiles, everyone happy, you forget, feel it's not an issue, whatever. Get it in writing. Nuf said.
5. Save everything. Thankfully I have a very good spreadsheet I started from day 1. I have documented every penny spent, every estimate given, every quote received in columns and catagories on my spreadsheet so that I can see the freight train coming down thru the end of the tunnel. doesn't make it all go away, it makes me feel like I have some control as I spin out of control while building this house.
Just a few lessons learned, thanks again for the wise words and I will keep you posted.
Humbled with the Build :(

Well, just a follow up on what our GC had been doing. Since our conversation (6 hours worth) on Sat, he spoke to the framer today finally and then called to inform us that all would be built according to our discussion on sat. The framing crew would be there tomorrow and all would be taken care of. He was not happy with my DH, as he noted it in his voice, however, he did not disagree with him either. Should I be overly optimistic or wondering what's around the bend?

vfish, I'm excited over building but dread the building process. Will save your post from May 27. Great advice on documenting everything. Good luck.

vfish, congratulations! Sounds like you and your GC are moving in the right direction. Thank goodness you had notes on everything!

Since you talked with GC and resumed building has your GC given you anything written to show what was the final agreement on what would and would not be an additional charge from the framer? At this point I think both you, your GC, and the framer would agree that having it in writing would be a good idea to prevent any further problems.

vfish we are about to embark on this same journey....any more adivice?

It was 13 years ago...