How much did you pay them up front and what does your contract say your obligations under it are?

If you paid him all the money then there's not much incentive for him to worry about finishing the job. And only cement board under the shower tile is not correct, needs to be something to waterproof or you'll have mold growing fairly quickly.

You said you signed a contract, what does your contract say you're agreeing to in it? What are your obligations and recourse for problems?

It is so sickening reading all the construction horror stories on Houzz.

Since you have paid him, he has probably moved on to another job that has NOT paid him upfront. He is now just doing your job as a fill in.

Because some of us aren't the brilliant experts of home renovation that you are, Margo.

the missing 60% seems sensible all the way around.

its frustrating. i feel your frustration. i've been frustrated in the same way (i had a kitchen renovation not finished til 8:30 pm on dec 23rd). but its pretty much how things go, a contractor is maximizing his subcontractors and not maximizing you. it doesnt help, but you are not alone.

Junee- were permits pulled?

Why not Google *shower installation* Many topics will address the proper procedure with vapor barrier behind tiled walls. I would print out the proper installation and hand it over to the contractor if he insists on only the cement board.

Hi, bummer you are unhappy, I will point this out, It looks like decent quality work with the exception of A wood curb and GT.. I would omit that. IMHO.

although i cant blow that pic up so well...I am seeing good blocking, subfloor install and likely proper plywood and overall dceent remodel work. Sure theres many smart upgrades you could have but it looks solid to me.

All youre questions are answered on these forums...in regards to smart ways to build the shower, but you need to better understand what they intend to do ( if they come back that is) in more detail ........you have a clamping drain so theres various ways to build on top of youre substrate....-best

So, have you had any inspector sign offs yet?

That normally means the work they've done is what you're obligated to pay for - you can't have a lien placed on your property for what they have not completed!

If this guy is too lazy to show up, I promise he's too lazy to hire an attorney to sue you when you fire him which you should do immediately.

This is a general problem with contractors, not showing up for days at a time. I've experienced this with at least 5 different contractors for various projects over the years, including the current 8-week gut renovation. I've fired multiple contractors, sued them and had the licenses revoked for 2 of them.

For this current project, they have worked for 22 days since July 27 and not worked 16 days. We were promised at least 5 days per week and we sublet an apartment that is steps away so I can see if they are at the site at any given moment due to the carpet protection they are required to install in the hallway.

We've withheld payment. We did not make payment from 8/14 - 9/3 since the work listed in the contract wasn't done. That did not stop the contractor from asking for a payment on 8/14. We reminded him that the items were not done and he didn't ask again for payment until the work was done. He sent 5 - 6 people to catch up last week.

4-6 months for kitchen and staircase remodeling something is definitely not right there.

I am sorry if the contractor is not showing up when he promises and worse than that has to call you up to verify if HIS EMPLOYEES have shown up then you did not do a good job vetting the GC. More so the issue of this has happened to you with multiple GC's. Sorry but just the way I see it, maybe you did vet them and you are just sending bad signals but as GN stated something is definitely not right with the entire saga.........................

Your contractor is following a basic rule of being a contractor, "Tell them what they want to hear and then do the best you can". Apparently, his best is not very good.

While only using cement board is a way to set up the backing for the tile it is often not viewed as the best way. It will work and it does meet the code. But, having at least drywall behind the backer board to help stabilize the walls is better. One of the main reasons that most tile installers prefer to "float" the walls with mud (concrete) is to make sure the walls are straight and plumb for setting the tile.

"So I insisted against just the cement board and he tells me that he's done this many times and that he will put tar paper behind cement board"

Not even close to correct, tar paper is NOT waterproof. Cement Board is NOT water proof. Thinset is NOT waterproof. Drywall without a membrane (Kerdi type) has NO business in a shower. Period. Stop.

In this case the best thing he can do is not show up as he will be causing more harm than good on his current path.

The curb only needs to be 2" above the drain. Keep in mind that there will probably also be a layer of waterproofing and 1/2" of cement board on top of that.

Re: the tar paper. The contractor cannot just do something to your home that you have expressly forbidden him to do. Email him now, so it's in writing. You may get upcharged for materials to do it right, but it beats a leaky shower later. There's virtually no chance this guy is going to come running to your house to fix things a year from now.

Junee -- After reading your last post, I'm going to suggest that everything be confirmed in writing from now on. (Email counts.) Whatever you discuss verbally, write it up and send in email i.e. "to confirm our discussion today..." And then bullet points. Bing bing bing. No long narratives. Just the facts. This greatly reduces the opportunity for him to successfully misrepresent what you said or what you two agreed upon. Plus, the new habit of documentation won't go unnoticed. When deciding which client he's going to roll over/cut corners with/make excuses to/or ignore today, the one least likely to be credible in court gets the nod.

A good contractor loves having it all in writing. An email thread is handy and valuable for both parties. Contractor shoots back a reply saying, "Perfect. Got it." Or, if there's a discrepancy in what was said, it gives the contractor opportunity to clarify.

I'm going to second the comment given by kchreg - the rule in civil law is:

S/he who documents the most = WINS! Send an email EVERY time you speak with contractor. Have a sheet that documents who is on the site and how much work has been done (hours + description of work).

Your emails and your work documentation will win your day in court...should you ever get there.

In health care we have a saying: "If in doubt document, document, document". Start writing emails - every day. Every conversation. Those who threaten legal actions (like liens) will know IMMEDIATELY that written statements kill any chance they have to take any action at all.

Good luck. Even GCs are complaining that the "good workers" are missing. They are complaining that people are not taking jobs in the trades because of the idea that the "good jobs" come with university degrees. Universities do NOT train plumbers or tile setters. You see where this is going.

Start sending kids to trade schools and in 10 years we will have a batch of "good workers" in the trades. For today, you and the GCs around you, have to "put up with" the human beings in your area.

Bathroom looks beautiful.. Sorry for all your trouble though.. What an awful experience.