Stopping a construction job

[AndyG]

I realize people get on here and present themselves to be whatever, and also we often aren’t the person we think we are to others- and you really don’t know someone until you have had dealings with them-

That said, I am a very aware remodeling contractor- aware of the experience we give people, the cost, the service, the cleanliness, attention to detail and especially the integrity of the transaction- keeping our word and taking the risk out of the transaction as much as possible- my warranty is simply “ let me know and we will do the right thing.” We have tons of clients beating our door down, never advertise, and have had clients pay with a blank check. No kidding.

Most clients love that, because most everyone has nightmare stories-

Occasionally I meet a prospective client that is way too wary, and typically pass on the job because of the tension that creates.

I had one I didn’t really want, priced it high and got it anyway.

Well guess what- We worked past the first payment as the job was moving fast and I gently reminded her (in writing) we needed to collect that, and the second payment was quickly approaching - both based on obvious, clearly defined , tangible progress- crickets.

So here we are, a good ol’ Mexican standoff. I have a signed contract, a building permit, licensed subs and work is passing inspection(which is not a contract stipulation- all work has to pass and inspection timing is out of my control - I never let things I cant control define payment points)- and - I have shut down the job.

She says she is “working on the numbers”. This most likely means she is trying to make a case to pay less for now. No thanks. The numbers are in the contract mam, and the invoice explains every penny, including the additional counter tops I purchased for you that are outside the contract (that I am about to cancel).

Technically I should have stopped last friday, as two payments are harder to swallow than one, but I try to lean toward the client as much as I can- but not bend over.

Either will be we get the check stipulated in the contract if she wants the work the contract describes, or we mutually agree to terminate the contract in a spirit of mutual cooperation. I could care less, I’m not spending my energy doing a job and fighting for my money all the way as I’m doing all and a little more than my contract requires - and we always do a little more than expected.

She is so distrustful when my guys went to lunch she asked me if they planned to return to install her new backs door. No mam, and we are going to pull your toilet and make you crap in the yard. Good grief.

 

[John Cooper]

I realize people get on here and present themselves to be whatever, and also we often aren’t the person we think we are to others- and you really don’t know someone until you have had dealings with them-

That said, I am a very aware remodeling contractor- aware of the experience we give people, the cost, the service, the cleanliness, attention to detail and especially the integrity of the transaction- keeping our word and taking the risk out of the transaction as much as possible- my warranty is simply “ let me know and we will do the right thing.” We have tons of clients beating our door down, never advertise, and have had clients pay with a blank check. No kidding.

Most clients love that, because most everyone has nightmare stories-

Occasionally I meet a prospective client that is way too wary, and typically pass on the job because of the tension that creates.

I had one I didn’t really want, priced it high and got it anyway.

Well guess what- We worked past the first payment as the job was moving fast and I gently reminded her (in writing) we needed to collect that, and the second payment was quickly approaching - both based on obvious, clearly defined , tangible progress- crickets.

So here we are, a good ol’ Mexican standoff. I have a signed contract, a building permit, licensed subs and work is passing inspection(which is not a contract stipulation- all work has to pass and inspection timing is out of my control - I never let things I cant control define payment points)- and - I have shut down the job.

She says she is “working on the numbers”. This most likely means she is trying to make a case to pay less for now. No thanks. The numbers are in the contract mam, and the invoice explains every penny, including the additional counter tops I purchased for you that are outside the contract (that I am about to cancel).

Technically I should have stopped last friday, as two payments are harder to swallow than one, but I try to lean toward the client as much as I can- but not bend over.

Either will be we get the check stipulated in the contract if she wants the work the contract describes, or we mutually agree to terminate the contract in a spirit of mutual cooperation. I could care less, I’m not spending my energy doing a job and fighting for my money all the way as I’m doing all and a little more than my contract requires - and we always do a little more than expected.

She is so distrustful when my guys went to lunch she asked me if they planned to return to install her new backs door. No mam, and we are going to pull your toilet and make you crap in the yard. Good grief.

Dang it man that stinks!!!! But I have been there and done that also. I had to take a local business to small claims court one time for non payment on their contract with me. It's never fun to do.

 

[Zorba]

I've been trying to get a small bedroom extension put onto my house since January. 9/10ths of it is getting a contractor to even talk to you...

 

[John Cooper]

I've been trying to get a small bedroom extension put onto my house since January. 9/10ths of it is getting a contractor to even talk to you...

You could probably get @AndyG to talk to you, but getting him to FL to do the work might get costly!!!!!

 

[AndyG]

I've been trying to get a small bedroom extension put onto my house since January. 9/10ths of it is getting a contractor to even talk to you...

And sadly usually your gut instinct tells you if you can’t get them to show up to even look at the job how hard will it be to get them to work

 

[Apparition]

I work with multi-billion dollar industries as well as small mom and pop shops. Due to issues with payment we have had to go to the policy of nothing happens without the initial payment.

Times are weird but an obligation is an obligation.

 

[Tray Burge]

At least you show up.
Our biggest problem is getting a contractor to show up just to gives us a quote!

 

[tworley]

I have had clients delay payments before with some sort of excuse. My answer was simply "We cannot continue to work until the invoice is paid. Plain and simple".

On one project, I think 6 months had gone by and we were charging interest on late payments as it was specified in our contract. Company lawyers were involved, and then they finally paid us. We never did work for them again.

 

[Zorba]

At least you show up.
Our biggest problem is getting a contractor to show up just to gives us a quote!

Or show any interest in this "too small" job to want to actually take it. I went through 4 or 5 contractors, some who showed up, some who didn't even return phone calls before I found the one I'm working with now. The first several were referrals of referrals, none worked out. One actually acted like they were "in", then suddenly stopped returning emails.

The one who is *apparently* going to actually do the job has been fantastic thus far. I'm probably getting ripped off, but what am I gonna do? By sheer coincidence, my daughter had had them doing some work at her place of employment, and said they were great. So some after-the-fact vetting made me feel a bit better.

I had a cabinet guy - years ago - two timing me and working on somebody else's job and leaving me hanging for several days. I told this contractor about it, and that I'd gladly wait until he was ready to do the job, but once he starts, I want it finished!

Another time I had a chickenshit electrical job. Normally, I would do it myself, but this one involved getting into the attic crawl space (about 24" max), hotter than hell, etc, etc. Nobody wanted to do it - and I can't really say I blame them. I finally found an overpriced outfit that would do it. It cost me, but it got done, done right, and done quick. They had a gal electrician - little tiny thing - that they boosted up into the attic to do the work up there. I passed her an ice cold Coca-Cola through the hole in the ceiling where they were installing a spot lite...

 

[AndyG]

I have had clients delay payments before with some sort of excuse. My answer was simply "We cannot continue to work until the invoice is paid. Plain and simple".

On one project, I think 6 months had gone by and we were charging interest on late payments as it was specified in our contract. Company lawyers were involved, and then they finally paid us. We never did work for them again.

Beautiful.

That is what we did and we quickly had a check in hand.

 

[Apparition]

Beautiful.

That is what we did and we quickly had a check in hand.

Everybody should have plenty of money when's the last time people were required to pay a mortgage or rent?

At least that's what I hear on the radio.

 

[AndyG]

Everybody should have plenty of money when's the last time people were required to pay a mortgage or rent?

At least that's what I hear on the radio.

I totally understand where folks are coming from-in her case she probably has been burned because she is so hard to please -

I also am aware not to make people think we are greedy and to realize we may be moving faster than the speed of money.

People play games- she immediately turned it into “I’m confused because I have bought such and such”

“yes mam, and we took those line items off the invoice, and we are not moving forward until we get a check that pays these costs”

Had it in under 30 minutes. It is in the bank.

The moral is to never work without a clear contract. That is not contracting. That is gambling with your livelihood.

 

[AndyG]

And having a good contract is good for everyone including the customer....This lady would have gotten herself in a mess with anybody that she did business with that didn’t have a good contract and all that would do is further validate her being the way she is. We can’t control the world but we can largely control our own dealings with it. Every year scores of contractors go out of business and families on both sides to go through much hardship simply because contractors have bad business practices.

 

[Zorba]

And having a good contract is good for everyone including the customer....

That's absolutely correct!

 

[AndyG]

That's absolutely correct!

I will even let the customer help me write the contract because of the fact that most contracts are always written in favor of the person writing them.

In her case being somewhat legalistic she insisted on us actually having a signed contract so that even made it better for me because our state Home Builders Board insists on a signed contract.

If things had gotten ugly it would have been perfectly fine for me because I had not broken any protocol and any good attorney would’ve looked at her documentation and said“ you need to write him a check and now I need one too.”

 

[mxz800]

I gave up on finding an electrician to replace a couple of wires that melted. So I decided to have the wires replaced while I have the house remodeled.

The first guy " I hate to call him a contractor" wanted me to get a dumpster for him to do demo. He said just order whatever from Home Depot and he'll put it in.

He said when he is done he will let me know how much to pay for his crew. I'll need to get a plumber, and an electrician and pay them directly. Then he tells the wife you have nothing to fucking worry about you can trust me.

The contractor coming Saturday is going to give us a detailed estimate, and when he comes he is bringing his electrician and plumber.

I can't wait.

 

[AndyG]

I gave up on finding an electrician to replace a couple of wires that melted. So I decided to have the wires replaced while I have the house remodeled.

The first guy " I hate to call him a contractor" wanted me to get a dumpster for him to do demo. He said just order whatever from Home Depot and he'll put it in.

He said when he is done he will let me know how much to pay for his crew. I'll need to get a plumber, and an electrician and pay them directly. Then he tells the wife you have nothing to fucking worry about you can trust me.

The contractor coming Saturday is going to give us a detailed estimate, and when he comes he is bringing his electrician and plumber.

I can't wait.

How contractors handle the bid tells you a lot.

What the first guy really means is “you will have nothing, period.” Once he bills you he will clean you out. That is nothing more than an open ended set up that indicates you will have to fend for yourself.

A good contract includes the scope of work, what is included and what is not included and a payment schedule. Remember you have the right to ask for anything to be clarified, just don’t scare the good ones off.

“I want to see if we can work this out, does your bid include........” is a good start.