Well I'm confused. He could read your note, come by your house and leave your drawer but he couldn't also leave the moulding and a refund check?

Wait, I should first say I'm so sorry and can totally feel your frustration.

Okay, now back to your cabinetmaker. This just seems so odd that he would be acting this way so late in the game, except now that I think about it, it's not really odd at all. Our GC has dropped the ball on those last few niggling projects, and it's kinda ticked me off. But they also haven't sent a final bill (which shouldn't be that much, Maybe it's time for you to send him a (registered) letter saying you also don't need this aggravation and want what you're due: the moulding, the cabinet doors or refund. I think it's time to move on -- he's made it abundantly clear he has no intention of finishing your job or treating you like the important customer you are.

So sorry you're going through this!

Larrywill-

Don't you have a local TV station that helps
with "nightmares" and gets a problem resolved "miraculously" (sp?)

Here in PHX, we have this TV station - channel 3 -
and they have this thing called "3 on Your Side" ...

They get folks with situations just like yours - they
go to the offending party ON CAMERA, and it's "like a miracle!!!" the problem
gets SOLVED!!! Who'd-a-thunk-it?
Ahh - the power of Television News....... :-0

Anyways, is there something like that where you live?

If not, do you know any made members of a local family?
wink wink - nudge nudge... Tony Soprano - I'm
looking in your general direction..... ;-) HA!!!

Seriously - it sounds like you need to find a closer,
and the guy you have been working with clearly - ain't it...

hope that helps

kevin

Oh yeah... my bad:

Like mkitchen said - I too am really sorry that
you are going through this as well - nobody should
have to be so close to completion and then get
treated the way you are...

By the way - nice work on your seams!!! If you are
not a pro, your seams turned out very nicely after
you hit them with the markers... looks pretty good!

kevin

I had a conversation with this guy on day one about people not finishing, not calling and not answering the phone and not returning calls and he totally agreed with me saying he couldn't keep a worker for not showing up or calling or slacking off. I asked him to at least call me if he couldn't do what he said when he said and just give me a new time to please not leave me hanging, he promised he wouldn't. I never bugged him and I waited at least 2 days after a promised before calling him.
I have no contract and its just not worth the aggravation to go after him, beside he has 2 brothers and 2 big sons. The last 2 times I went to the shop his worker wasn't there and he told me he was working on another job. I didn't ask for details. I surmise he forgot to order the doors July 5th and has been delaying. The last time he was here he was complaining that his brother who's working hi end cabinets would have charged $20,000 for what he did for me for $8,000.
Yes I also found that strange he didn't bring the molding, but he said he would bring and install it when he brought the box, which was about 2-1/2 weeks ago.
I suppose I'm lucky he did the cabinets on time. I will just go buy some wood and finish the job myself. The thing that really bugs me is they just leave you hanging, not knowing anything. I did everything else myself and if I had the time and knowledge to make the cabinets I would have just because of this.
I will try calling one more time later today.

Larrywill:

Couple of thoughts:

1. YOU are TOO NICE of a person!!!!

2. You wrote: "The last time he was here he was complaining
that his brother who's working hi end cabinets would have charged
$20,000 for what he did for me for $8,000...."
Translation: "I took your job WAAAAAY too CHEAP,
and NOW I'm loosing my BUTT!!!"

IMHO...THAT IS NOT YOUR PROBELM - it's HIS!!!

Time to move on in my opinion - Cowboy Up and git-er done!!!

kevin

I built a house in 1989. I was the contractor and hired all the crews and ran herd. The brick layer I hired came and started the job until he got up where he couldn't reach. Then told me his scaffolding was tied up on another job and he had to finish that before he could finish mine. After 2 weeks I couldn't get him on the phone so I tried to hire another brick layer. Nobody would touch another brick layers unfinished job. The house was far from finished so I wasn't in a big hurry although everything else was on schedule. After 6 weeks he showed up, a couple days on the job he lost one worker, then another then it was just him. He got all but one wall done. The brick company sold my bricks I had on reserve to someone else, they were off color so one of a kind. So I spent the day walking the yard trying to match them. The brick layer finished the wall and started raking the mortar in the rain, what a mess. He promised to come back and clean the wall the next day. He didn't. I owed him $600 he never came back.
I had a wall board guy give me a quote and then tell me he was starting doing a job for somebody else and as soon as he got that job hung up he would come to do mine. I hired someone else. It seems that this is the norm anymore.
Yea your right, I have enough molding to do above the fridge cabinets, I can buy some maple and make 2 pieces for the side of the fridge close but not the same. I can get 2 doors and some maple plywood and make the last cabinet myself, but I'm lucky, I can, but what about the people that can't?

I totally forgot about this, the last house I built the cabinet maker started the job and never delivered the cabinets. I finally got his brother who shared the shop to put a boot up his but to get him to install them.

That's why a sufficient hold back is important and people keep emphasizing it on this board. It seems to be fairly common for some contractors to finish most of a job and then walk away - particularly if they decide the holdback isn't worth their while.

I've learned the hard way that the only way to get decent service from most of 'the trades' is to see to it that they always owe you less work than you owe them money.

I paid for my windows in full a year ago, still waiting for screens.

Paid my electrician in full when he had a family crises 6 months ago, have seen him about twice since then.

Gave my contractor an advance draw when he got hurt, haven't seen the crew for 2 weeks.

What can I say: I'm an idiot.

Hope I'm building up some karma points with someone...

No matter how nice or trusting the contractor seems to be. I already knew that but don't like to believe it and it cost me again.

*hands larry a paddle We're in the same boat, matey
I'm still waiting for 3 drawers, 2 toekick drawers, 9 doors, a DW platform and an island! The only upside is the $7000 final payment I've yet to make.

Funny, like you Larry we finally went to his shop and left a note. Soon after he sent me a picture of the island by phone. That was a relief, but he's been incommunicato again ever since (never answers phone, voicemail box full)

I have a contract - so do I end the contract (HOW) and move on? I'm afraid I'll get stuck paying someone else and then he'll show up with the goods and expect me to pay him.

Well at least I feel better. Although I already paid 2 times for the last piece I'm only out the final $125. I understand your frustration also. As sure as the sun comes up if you pay someone else to finish he will show up wanting his money. The worst part is waiting and not knowing anything. Maybe he's sick, or dead or has an emergency or hes just string you along.

If I had your problem I would look for someone to finish, figure out how much you will be out for using the new guy deduct it from what you owe the first guy, send a registered letter and tell him either finish by a certain date or I will pay only for what you have done minus what it cost to finish.

I just called and got him and he said he would try to have it finished by Monday he said he thought he was supposed to call me on Friday not yesterday. So now I have to call him Monday. Another week gone. And so it goes!!!

larry - bless your heart! I hate this for you. Maybe you give him another chance? Then you have no choice but to move on.

remodel1958 - why don't you write him a $7000 check and send him a picture of it :o)

injmom: Great Idea about the check, I love it!!

Do you have room in your old, leaky boat for me? I am so glad to hear I'm not the only "too nice" person out there feeling screwed.

Have to run out the door. Long story short: contractor getting divorced, and I think it's gotten unpleasant enough that he's in a pretty bad place. Unfortunately, it's not in my place, finishing the details. :-/

I'll raise a beer (found a blueberry lager that's yummy!) to you all!

larrylwill, I found Garden Web a little over three years ago because of a larger contractor problem with cabinets that ended up in court. It was nasty. It was costly. It was a time robber. I have been 'almost done' for months. I kept thinking I'd be done before school started back...or before school got out, or before my anniversary, etcetera, etcetera.

This forum was such an encouragement and support on those nights when I just could not sleep. I don't know how those people in this life can go around screwing others out of their hard earned money can sleep, but they do. I know the government can, but I mean, individuals that you deal with one on one. You chose them for their talents and skills and they perform for a fee. When they do not perform, but show up, they still believe they command full payment. It's just not right.

This business of being in business is not fair or regulated fairly by our courts. I'd much rather the press be free and fair like it should be without fear of true consequences when we are swindled, we can say we were swindled. When we are presented with a bait and switch scheme, then we can say just that without fear of another ongoing court battle about subjective subject matter in the eyes of the court. What is black and white in my eyes are purple polka dots in the courts eyes. When my contract is clear and precise, how can a court deem it clear as mud? I do not get it.

There is too much politics in justice and too many idiots on benches.

If you have the skills, buy the trim and finish it yourself. Don't pay another cent to anyone but yourself.
BTW, Love the photo of the check idea.

Drinking one for ya'.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Days in Court with CabFiascoGuy I & II

If it makes you feel better, I'm out thousands due to similar issues. I did pay folks in full because we had to leave and take the baby to the hospital for two months (and I don't let people sit waiting for money that long) and two out of three took the money and ran, to the tune of literally thousands. And thecost to fix the errors they caused because thy're idiots...thousands. The plus side, the last GC paid my plumbing bill...fifteen grand. I just keep ticking off the bucks as we fix things. I figure we'll break even or I may owe him a few hundred in the end.

We also have an attorney on retainer. Ya life in the world of remodeling...it's grand ain't it?

Well, Larry, your post inspired me to do something. So I contacted his door supplier and left his rep a message. Lo and behold he called tonight and even left me a message: he's very sorry... not like him at all... needs more money to finish.. do we want to pay the supplier directly...

So I made a list of outstanding items, restated how much we have already paid him and our current balance and suggested he arrive at my house tomorrow to work on at least the items he can do himself. I hope he does the right thing and shows up here tomorrow.

Well now I feel worse about complaining, seems I'm the lucky one, I'm not out that much. I'm sorry for all you other people.
I do now have another problem. The granite people brought me free granite window sills made from my left overs and the back splash tiles I told them I would like, 5 boxes of Sisal, $0.40 per tile about 500. I told her to charge my card since I used it for the granite. She never did. I emailed them 2 times and they still have not charged it. Its been a month.

Today I got my missing cabinet and trim. I have to install it but at least I got it. Now I can finish.

remodel1958:
Did he show up? Update us

cate1337:
How about you?

This discussion has really scared me! I hope everyone's issues are resolved and you are all happy with your kitchens!!

I hope I don't scare off too many cabinet makers. I'll probably seem pretty harsh when discussing the payment plan. UGH. What fun ;P

remodelqueen:
just make sure you hold out sufficient $ until your contractor has finished. I did not, other wise I wouldn't have waited 6 more weeks for 1 small box with door and 20ft of molding which was his design an would cost a lot to duplicate. All in all I am satisfied with the work though, it was just a royal pain to get the last piece.