Contractor dilemma

13 years ago

Hi.. I am frazzled. I have been using the same contractor for over a year, trying to finish up my old house restoration. Now, a lot has been left unfinished, 3 porches, left over painting, some electrical. He has become a good friend, but it's taking too long. I want to move in and have it be finished, but he doesn't show for days or weeks. I got another bid from another contractor, have been honest about it to my friend/contractor, but now he is angry and I can't get anybody to commit to finish the work. Do I make my friend/contractor angry and go to someone else or just wait it out? He has done a superb job, knows my old house well, what would you do? I am in a VERY small town, everybody knows everybody. I just want to do the right thing, but be finished!! Grrr... Thanks. Ps prices are pretty much equal.

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Comments (3)

Jenny Youngblood
13 years ago
Small town issues....grrrr. But here's the facts- this is your house and you have GOT to move in. Bottom line. You set a reasonable, slightly accelerated deadline to get the work done, or else the contractor owes you money and is due NOT ONE CENT MORE. He is using your "friendship" to be lazy and inconsiderate- a very common practice from my own personal experience. If your original contractor cannot meet the expressed deadlines (make timeline some thing like painting- to be completed by 10 days, porches by three weeks, etc) and he doesn't meet the initial, fire him on the spot and get yourself a different contractor because you are being taken advantage of. A true performance of someone's work is how they finish the job, not just how they s started.
vixenhouse thanked Jenny Youngblood
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
Your contract should have dictated the timeline for the project. If there was no contract and hence no timeline or deadlines, then it is hard to withhold any funds or to now try to set deadlines. Possibly your friend took the project with an understanding it was fill in work. Sit down and have a "heart to heart" discussion with your contractor/friend and let him know how you feel. If you can't quickly reach a resolution, then ask him what payment is due for the work already done and ask him not to come back. I would tell him that it is important to you to part on friendly terms, but you have reached the point where you have to move in. Then hire someone else.
vixenhouse thanked Brickwood Builders, Inc.
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PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
These are always hard to deal with when it's a friend. Hope it turns out well for you.
vixenhouse thanked Brickwood Builders, Inc.