We are getting very close to the end of our lengthy kitchen remodel (reasons on both sides, but mostly bad time management on contractor/sub side)... If we pay the amount of the 'progress' invoice the contractor just gave us, it leaves us with less than 10% as a holdback. When we discussed it with the contractor, at first he was OK with the adjustment, leaving roughly 10% remaining on the job.

Last night, my husband got an e-mail from him indicating that he felt the 10% needed to be based on the original estimate, not the complete cost of the job with the changes and add-ons. 10% of the original is about half of 10% on the actual.

We feel that the higher amount of what we ended up with represents the actual cost of the job, and the true cost of doing business, not the original 'estimate' (which is just that -- an estimate). We feel more comfortable having that higher amount as our negotiating tool. Not interested in stiffing this guy - when he's been here, it's been great...but feel that the 10% based on the original amount is too insignificant to be an incentive for him to finish the job. We know we are far down the list of jobs that he's working on now...too much time has elapsed from the thrill of the demo.

BTW, we demo-ed the first week in August - did a regut in the kitchen (not a huge space) and refreshed the downstairs with new flooring and paint. It is now April.

Your Houzzer wisdom...??? Original 10% or Actual 10%