Boy do we need to vent!

[deepsouth]

Re: Boy do we need to vent!

Things could be worse. I hired a reputable company to expand and renovate the kitchen, foyer and bathroom. Well, after 70% comlplete, the company went belly up. Seems the owner had two girlfriends, a wife, 5 homes and couldn't keep up financially. So he dipped into company funds which prevented the contractors from getting paid. long story short i had to spend and additional $30k just to finish the job. Now this SOB is back in business under his son's name.

This is why I do all jobs with a contract and no money is paid until complete!

[dixiechick]

Re: Boy do we need to vent!

This is why I do all jobs with a contract and no money is paid until complete!

This guy that owes my husband signed a contract and gave a down payment, so at least some of the materials were covered.

My husband also takes before and after pictures to document how the job looked before he started and how it looked after.

A congress women wanted her driveway fixed. He did some extra for her at no change. Well she keep trying to add more extra, so he told her no problem, but it will cost this amount of money. They finished the job and she said everything looked good and paid in full. Then turned around an sued him saying that she was not satisfied and it needed to be replaced. She wanted her money back plus cost of replacement. She also slipped, fell and broke her hip. Which she was blaming him that it was too slick, (btw it had a gripper added to prevent it from being slick) she kind of suggested not in so many words that he might be liable for medical.

After his lawyers gave them copies of the contract, before and after photos, the case never went to court, and my husband didn't owe a thing.

[horsepwr]

Re: Boy do we need to vent!

In my construction days, the job wouldn't start until the start-up payment was paid. I got fuked twice on people's word. Once left me with $4500 of Aluminum on the trailor and no job for it. That was the second and last time that happened. I got aluminum per job. And didn't order until the down payment cleared.

Your man ought to set up stage draws. Even if a job only last a week. So before he's finished, the job is paid for. The final payment would be mostly yours. But at least you'd have materials, equipment, and the crew paid. And if someone isn't comfortable with it, forget 'em. Plenty of folks understand this day and age. I can't remember anyone stand offish about writing that hefty start-up fee for me.
and like dave said, I'd have to get a tractor or bobcat with a jackhammer attachment and bust it up on that dude's ass. And leave the busted up stuff there. Then when he pays. Then re-do it. Cause I'm sure the total loss is written off by now.?? So it would just feel like a new job if he paid this late.