I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, it sounds very frustrating. Did they cause the flooding?

get new contractors and do not settle for incorrect shady work.

Did they or something they remodeled cause the flooding?

I hope you have not paid in full and have a fair amount held back.

Why are you allowing them to bully you?

Yes, their construction efforts caused the flooding...but in their excuse they say there is nothing they can do because of the rain.

I called the bank (construction loan) and we will not release funds until they finish the kitchen.

How do we move forward? We have a yard full of waste and garbage and a half finished house and a flooding basement. If we stop now, we lose money and have no one to do the project. It seems the entire power differential is in their favor and we have to weigh crappy work vs no work +financial loss. What can we do short of a messy lawsuit. How can we get them to do their job? We are over a barrel.

So sorry kikodog but there is no way to change a shady company into a professional one. To allow them to continue in your home will only continue to cost you more in the long run especially since they are causing damage as they go and racking up extra bills. I would put a freeze on everything. I think you need good legal counsel at this point that can review your options based on your contract. Put all of your concerns in writing and request responses in writing. I so hope you can find the strength not not let “bullies” in your home. I’ve released trades people simply because something about them gave me the willies even though their work and prices were good.

I'm sorry for your experience.

Assuming you have a fixed-price contract, I don't understand why you are paying for the contractor's mistakes and for omissions like hooking up the exhaust hood.

Your architectural plans, specifications, and contract should document the scope of work the contractor is responsible to complete and there should be a quality standard incorporated by reference.

Damage to your home which occurs as a consequence of the remodeling work may be covered either by your homeowner's insurance or their liability insurance. I'd start by calling my insurance agent to check.

I agree with Teddytoo. Sometimes you have to accept a money loss rather than have a much, much bigger money loss. This contractor’s work will not improve. It will only get worse. The exact same thing goes for bullies. They only get worse, not better.

If the bullies yell at you or threaten you in your home call the police. I had to do that one time.