Can you clarify--do you have a signed contract?

What in the world????? We need to get you some help here. Someone???

oceanwalk2020 it's really important to stay calm here to avoid making a bad situation worse.

Again, do you have a signed contract? It's a little unclear if you refused to sign before seeing the permits, or if just prior to signing you said you'd like to see the permits. If you have a signed contract, what does it say is included?

When you're dealing with this guy, treat him like you would a hyperactive kid: stick to one question until you get a satisfactory response, use short sentences (4-5 words at most), and refuse to be sidetracked. If he wants to jump to the next thing, stand your ground (literally, don't budge an inch) and repeat "we are discussing the framing around this window. How will you fix it?"

Remember, anything that was done can be undone. The only question is, on whose dime? (HINT: NOT YOURS.)

I'll leave the technical and legal advice to the pros.

Editted to add: always have a support person of your own there when you are talking to him in person, and communicate by text or email, not verbally so there is a record of your discussions.

Report him..clear and simple. Go down to your town hall building dep’t right now. Bottom line is he did not get permits…that is his responsibility.

All permits need to show from the street. A permit is usually attached from the inside of the window.

What has happened between you first post on April 17 and now? https://www.houzz.com/discussions/contractor-issues-advice-needed-dsvw-vd~4583633

Sounds like he's finishing the job for you. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/porcelain-cast-iron-sink-and-fantasy-brown-dsvw-vd~4619037

Yes I have a signed contract and at the top of my check list when I was interviewing contractors for each item of the kitchen reno, was they were to get permits and insurance. It's not on the contract. Some attached insurance info with bid. As mentioned, this guy is supper nice and comes off as your best friend and (groan) I got sucked in. I've hired roofer, floor refinisher, painters, replaced 16 windows and never got bamboozled like this. Feel like code enforcer will tell me I should have known what I didn't and it's all my fault, which I guess it is. Photo is the hole in my outside stucco wall they made for microwave exhaust, back on April 4th. I jammed some plastic in it but still open to the weather. Anyone know how to turn back time? I've waited so many years for this update from 1950's gold speckle floors and counter and every items is wrong.

Is there a contractors license # noted somewhere within the contract or on his business card? What state do you live in?

Even if city Hall tells you you shouldhave known to get permits, so what? So you say "yes I know, and even after repeated discussion he has still not obtained them, so I am reporting him."

I know you must be sick about this, but now it's time to stop worrying about being reprimanded by city Hall, this contractor, me, anyone else. Face your mistake and make it right. You're a widow, that's ok. That doesn't make you less important. It doesn't make you less intelligent or not as powerful. It doesn't change the law.

Report him. He's had his chance, for almost a month now.

There may be some information on your city's website about permits. I'm in Toronto and this is what the city's website says.

If you find out you need a permit after the work has started

The City understands that home owners and contractors, in their
enthusiasm to get started, sometimes forget to get permits, or do not
realize that permits are required.

If you do not have a permit for work that has already started,
and it turns out you need a permit for that work, you could face serious
– and potentially costly – consequences, including:

• A “work without permit” penalty. This is an additional fee equal to
  50 percent of the permit fees for the project, or $194.24 ($198.59 as of
  Jan 1, 2017), whichever is greater, to a maximum of $26,637.95
  ($27,234.64 as of Jan 1, 2017).
• A delay while your permit application is processed. All work must
  stop during this time. The original timeline and fees to process an
  application still apply.
• Possibly having to undo the work that was done.
• Possibly having to do more work than you had originally planned and
  budgeted for, such as additional structural or mechanical work.
• Possible legal and /or financial issues down the road, such as impacts on selling your property or making an insurance claim.

NOTE: As the homeowner, you are responsible for paying these fees or
penalties yourself even if you have hired a contractor who assured you
that permits were not needed.

you paid him 3/4?? he is only required 10%, by law, up front. as progression moves along, (2 days is not progression) you can give him a bit more to purchase needed materials. but never to exceed 50%. do not pay him another dime, nothing nada, until you have signed off on everything promised.

as for what's going on now,,,, no room for insulation?? on an exterior wall?? WTF? no. no no. is there any friend, relative, neighbor , anyone that can stand by you in this? what is his lic #? you can call and report him. Call city hall, building section, and tell them your story. perhaps they can have an inspector come by and assist you.

I think an important distinction between oceanwalk2020's case and the one quoted by partim is that OP knew the permits needed to be obtained, insisted on that, and was first assured they would be, then told the equivalent of "hush up, it doesn't matter now and you'll be in trouble if you tell." The work was started without a permit without her consent, presumably.

This sounds like fraud; you paid someone to do a job properly including the permitting, and he did not do it.

Many places have elderly abuse laws, too, which may apply if he is taking advantage of you in a different way than he would a younger person.

yes. please call city hall building section. better yet, show up in person and maybe you will find a good contractor in there pulling permits. talk to an inspector and perhaps he can further advise. I really despise contractors like this guy.

What city are you in?

My instinct tells me this guy doesn't hold a valid contractors license:/ As stated above, you certainly don't want to pay him another cent, ask a trusted friend or neighbor for their assistance in dealing with this 'contractor'. Ugggghhh at this point I don't think I'd want this guy on my property

Wow, when I started reading, my advice was going to be, change locks, don't pay him a dime. But somehow he already has 75% of money?!

You need a second set of professional eyes -- ideally a second contractor, but a good inspector could make it happen. Find out what's going on. Don't let more work get done. Protect yourself.

Oh, I am so glad you all showed up to help Oceanwalk!! Can we check back on her? I didn't know a thing to suggest so did a shout out. Houzz is great!

Unfortunately, in Toronto, if the homeowner permitted work to be done without having seen the permits, they would be fined even if they said there was a verbal agreement with the contractor.

OT: Beth H, would you mind checking out this dilemma? As a woodworker I thought you might be able to help...

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-should-we-build-to-replace-side-table-in-dining-room-dsvw-vd~4622250

Sorry if this is a faux pas :-/

A PA-HIC# is on the contract but I've been told most anyone can get that license here in Pennsylvania. I suppose I should have known that, too. This is a continuation of my April 17 post about using a white porcelain cast iron sink. Granite company will not install it (130lbs) even with support; say's it will crack the granite. Contractor so focused on getting me a sink and granite installed fast, says the kitchen will be finished in one day. When I keep repeating all the mistakes he just says everything will look better when done. I'm not really that dumb but sure seems like it. So much for all my research:-(

• @ Oceanwalk2020, I'm not familiar with Pennsylvania contractor license board, but I imagine they have one. Perhaps Google contractors license board for Pennsylvania, where you could call them and speak to a representative who could possibly give you some guidance on how to proceed. Hang in there, you'd be surprised by how many 'contractors' claim to be licensed & insured, when in reality they are not. Good luck

lindsey,,,no faux at all ;) checked the link, but not sure what I could help with. sounds like they know what they're doing.

Oceanwalk, don't let this guy con you anymore. you need to get the prior mistakes you've pointed out fixed. do not pay this guy anything. OK? please get another person to stand with you when you confront him.

Yes, I think she talked enough to figure it out :) Her original question was technical about how to make the piece and made me think of you, but I think she's starting to head in a different direction.

Contacted my nieces husband who is a Project Manger at a commercial construction company, who stopped by to see for himself the issues. He brought up many. Will probably hire his firm to guide me on the next steps. Thank you all for your guidance with this "sweet talkin' guy, telling sweet kind of lie's. . ." Hindsight is always 20/20, even when you thought you'd done your research.

Oh gosh oceanwalk2020, I would not 'hire' your nephews commercial construction company to guide you-Hopefully your nephew can just 'assist' you with taking the necessary steps to get your job completed to your liking.

I've hired probably a dozen contractors over the years for a variety of projects & only TWO were completely competent & honest. Those two were exceptional! I think a lot of us have had bad experiences with contractors. I'm careful to do my homework first but you never really know until you've hired them. Many will disagree, but I believe that there's a high percentage of "flakes " in the profession, not all though.

Demolition - Why should I not hire my nieces husband's company and have him and his company guide me. Who do I trust? Where do I turn?

I think demo means your nephew should help you out without taking regular payment. family discount, maybe?? after all you've been through, I think demo is saying your family should come to your side for the bare minimum payment.

either that or demo is thinking nephew should hover over your contractor to make sure things are fixed and done correctly?? but that would mean your nephew is now supervising your current contractor. You contractor should fix the issues that you've already paid him or refund your payment. If he fixes it, then your nephew should supervise this to make sure it's done correctly.

Oceanwalk2020, when you state you're going to hire your nieces husband commercial construction company where he's employed as a PM, I just assume since you state 'hire' you'd be spending more $$$. Is this what your nieces husband is suggesting you do...hire the company he works for, for their involvement? I would just hope your nieces husband- possibly with his construction experience, can guide/ work with you thru the proper channels, in getting your job completed to your satisfaction- without having to fork out more $$ than you already have. Commercial companies work is a whole different ballgame versus residential. If I were you, I wouldn't pay this 'contractor' of yours another cent until the work is 100% complete & you're 100% satisfied. Now if you don't want him back in your home based upon the shoddy work he's already done for you, I'd reach out tomorrow to your states licence contractor board (if they have one) for some possible advise. Good luck- you'll get thru this eventually, hopefully your nieces husband can lend you his help in getting you thru this most unfortunate experience with your current 'contractor'

UPDATE from "HELP! My contractor is fasttalking steamroller!!!"

Code Inspector said volumes without saying too much when he saw my kitchen mess. He then met with contractor (would loved to have heard that meeting!) who then obediently hired a licensed electrician with no ties to him, to placate the "picky customer". Electrician appalled at the illegal, sloppy and dangerous patchwork of twisted, taped and spliced undersized wiring done; has to redo it all to pass inspection. The cabinets I didn't approve and most drywall removed. Contractor now telling me I must hire someone to install the window header and fix crooked stucco cut on the window, I must hire someone to install the cast iron under mount sink, I must hire and get permits for the plumber. I asked him what my money was paying for and got the same fast talking, evasive run around and promises. It's been strongly suggested that I take the matter to my local district court. Need to draft a letter. Luckily I've documented everything and have photo's. Nice me would like to give contractor the district court letter before submitting it and the option to refund all my money, less the labor cost to remove the old cabinets and part of the electrical costs. I don't think I should have to pay for installation of the slapped up drywall to cover electrical patchwork, or its removal, and certainly not the illegal electrical work. Any thoughts on how to draft such a letter? Never been involved in a legal matter before but I'm out over $15k and want my money back. Should sue for the major stress I've been under but can't afford the legal fees. Anyone else been to this point? Thoughts?

do you have his lic #? call the general contractors board and file a complaint against him. Any work you have done to fix HIS illegal/out of code bad work, you can send him a bill. He can have a lien put against his lic number (providing he has one) if he fails to pay you for the people you hired to repair his damage.. in no way should you be footing the bill for bad work he authorized. He may not know that you know that you can do this. Call the board first, get the info, then advise what you will do if he doesn't refund. don't let him say I'll get my guys to fix it, because I don't trust him or whom he hires. Tell him no, but you will hire someone to fix it and he can pay them.

you can call the licensing board of contractors and get further info on how to proceed. you can advise mr fast talker this is what is going to happen if your money is not refunded. I'm going to guess he doesn't have the money, but that's another matter. You can also advise him this is going to end up in court if your money isn't returned or payment to your workers aren't done.

I wouldn't want any of his workers or him on the job. maybe the inspector can give you references (off the record of course).

Where do I find the "general contractors board"? I'll check with township to see if we have one in Delaware County, PA. You've supplied some very good advice which I'll act on. After all the electrical errors and excuses, I don't want his crew in my home, just want to sever this relationship but need to get my money back. Will also ask the Code Inspector for next steps. He's wise to him now. Thanks so much for replying!

Sounds like a really helpful code inspector. Seems like you are getting pretty much everything done again. Hope you can get your money back.

I have a bombed out empty shell of a kitchen now. They beat holes all over the plasterboard to fish wires through that even I, untrained, could see that this is not how you wire a kitchen. Getting creative with the microwave:-)

check out this link and read under the Contractors License heading. they also have lists of GC and other construction recommendation. (this is why I said your inspection guy might know someone off the record. by law they can't recommend anyone to residents)

http://www.springfielddelco.org/government/code-enforcement/. you might have to take a trip over to city hall, or maybe you could call them and ask for building and safety and see what they advise. This is the first paragraph under that heading.:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has enacted and instituted the Home Improvement Contractors Registration. This has taken the ability to license home improvement contractors out of the Township’s hands and placed it into a Commonwealth-wide License. A link has been provided for homeowners to search for contractors. Plumbers and Electricians must still register with the Township. All contractors including but not limited to fire prevention, specialty contractors, home improvement contractors, grading, roofing, painting and tree surgeons must still file their insurance certificate with the Township providing both general liability and workers compensation insurance. The Department employees can not recommend contractors to a resident.

this is for checking ratings for your local contractors

https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/delaware-county-home-contractors

Interesting! I did so much research on this subject and I still got burned. Thanks for the info. I'll give him the opportunity to refund my money and if not, he's going to get blasted on every agency and web site I can find. Grrrrr.

Some good advise above oceanwalk2020. One other thing, in our state of California, licensed contractors must retain & hold a contractors license bond-I believe in the amount of $15,000.00. If the same applies for your state, file a claim of lien against your contractors bond to retain some or all of your losses

Your contractor is suing you?? Wow, I've learned so much since I started this renovation. Houzz support has been wonderful! I'm in eastern PA. Good luck with your mess.