topic Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor? in Community Chat

Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

RinaRina — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:48:39 GMT

This is my SECOND time.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

shaggygirl — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:54:20 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
This is my SECOND time.

Sounds like there must be an interesting story behind your firing of the contractor. Are you going to share it? Nosy me.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

RinaRina — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:57:21 GMT

I was hoping to hear other's stories first.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:56:22 GMT

In my area, building contractors are so busy that they cannot obligate themselves to any new projects until treated lumber becomes more available.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

RinaRina — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:04:40 GMT

@shaggygirl wrote:
@RinaRina wrote:
This is my SECOND time.

@
Sounds like there must be an interesting story behind your firing of the contractor. Are you going to share it? Nosy me.

==================================================

I'll keep it brief - - -

The first one was "bait and switch".

The 2nd, which was today, was a time management issue. There were always "glitches".

Basically, if I have 5 conversations with you and 5 email exchangess, and every conversation I have with you is contrary to the previous conversations or emails, then we have a problem.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

CelticCrafter — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:14:46 GMT

What kind of "glitches"?

Can't get parts, materials, supplies, workers? If it's any of those reasons, don't blame the contractor. We are in the middle of pandemic.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

silkyk — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:17:50 GMT

Yup....after his wife came by (with his baby girl) and asked for his paycheck because she was afraid he would not bring it home (aka drink it up).

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

homedecor1 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:23:08 GMT

@RinaRina

When I did my kitchen reno this company came "recommended" by others who got kitchens done very reasonable. The OWNER turned out to be a total Ahole - we had many disagreements YET the workers were wonderful.

After I thought about it - i had paid in full for the all the materials and at that price couldn't take a chance of him bailing! Who knows if they'd ever come back! (Seems to happen alot in FL take you $$ and not return to do work)

Watch Judge Judy there's always someone with a "bad" contractor story!

I learned my lesson after the kitchen to only hire licensed, bonded and insured contractors who really HAD LICENSE AND REFERENCES.

I've used the same guy for the last 4 major renovations I did and yes, not cheap but worth the "peace of mind".

My flooring was completed yesterday and as always, to perfection!!

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

happycat — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:24:44 GMT

I have not, but I have close family members that really should have. One thing I have learned is its not a good thing to mix business and pleasure. I'd have a hard time at this point hiring a friend to do anything.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

rockygems123 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:44:15 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
@RinaRina

When I did my kitchen reno this company came "recommended" by others who got kitchens done very reasonable. The OWNER turned out to be a total Ahole - we had many disagreements YET the workers were wonderful.

After I thought about it - i had paid in full for the all the materials and at that price couldn't take a chance of him bailing! Who knows if they'd ever come back! (Seems to happen alot in FL take you $$ and not return to do work)

Watch Judge Judy there's always someone with a "bad" contractor story!

I learned my lesson after the kitchen to only hire licensed, bonded and insured contractors who really HAD LICENSE AND REFERENCES.

I've used the same guy for the last 4 major renovations I did and yes, not cheap but worth the "peace of mind".

My flooring was completed yesterday and as always, to perfection!!

@homedecor1

You must be happy they're done1 We did hardwoods 2 years ago throughout most of the house, so happy the change was made...and happy when it was finished!

Post pics if you can.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

ECBG — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:44:59 GMT

When we built this house, we wanted a gray dry stacked fireplace.

The first mason put in rounded yellow river rock and had it half built when DH saw it. (We were living on the other side of the county, had a new baby, and I was breast feeding. We had other factors I won't go into.)

That was the ugliest thing we had ever seen!

DH let him go and that evening, in the dark, took out the fireplace with a mallet (of course we paid him so we wouldn't have a disgrundled worker come back and possibly do something).

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

chickenbutt — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:49:09 GMT

It wasn't a general, but a painter. First, he brought some 'friend' to help him. They dinked around until lunch time when they took off for lunch.

I happened to look outside as they returned WITH a 12-pack of beer. They proceeded to the back of the house, where they were 'working' and climbed up the 10' ladder with the 12pack of beer at which point I called my husband out of a great deal of concern for the obvious.

He came from the office to get them out of here before one of these idiots fell off the 10' ladder.

The whole 'painting the house' thing was a nightmare from beginning to end. The next guys he hired were not a lot better, although nobody was drinking so I guess that was a plus.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

amyb — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:51:01 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
@RinaRina

When I did my kitchen reno this company came "recommended" by others who got kitchens done very reasonable. The OWNER turned out to be a total Ahole - we had many disagreements YET the workers were wonderful.

After I thought about it - i had paid in full for the all the materials and at that price couldn't take a chance of him bailing! Who knows if they'd ever come back! (Seems to happen alot in FL take you $$ and not return to do work)

Watch Judge Judy there's always someone with a "bad" contractor story!

I learned my lesson after the kitchen to only hire licensed, bonded and insured contractors who really HAD LICENSE AND REFERENCES.

I've used the same guy for the last 4 major renovations I did and yes, not cheap but worth the "peace of mind".

My flooring was completed yesterday and as always, to perfection!!

I know this is a longshot but do you happen to be in CT?

I stopped work in my condo last year due to Covid, but the flooring is first on the list when I get going again. I had just started shopping around for floors/contractors...hadn't really found "the one"...and I want it done right.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

RinaRina — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:20:31 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
@RinaRina

I learned my lesson after the kitchen to only hire licensed, bonded and insured contractors who really HAD LICENSE AND REFERENCES.

====================================================

I called the supply house 2 times to check prices and found out the 2nd contractor charged me double $$ for everything. This morning when I realized the problem with him was ongoing (repeatedly not showing up), I called the supply house again. Unbeknowst to me, this time, the manager answered the phone. I asked him if XXX?? items were returnable. He then asked if I was the lady who'd spoken to XXX? on Tuesday and I said yes.

He said, (his words), "fire the guy and tell him he can return what he bought. I'll give him a refund."

BTW, he couldn't find my "contractor" in his database.

I get most of my help from our neighborhood listserve, but I'm realizing so many homeowners are using unlicensed handymen. A lot of people who claim to be "contractors" are not. They have no license and thus, may not be insured.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

patbz — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:29:54 GMT

One of my neighbors in a small CA city decided to renovate her deck and pool and used an unlicensed guy ( why?????). After $72,000 the area was unusable ( she posted plenty of pics of shoddy workmanship ). She ended up in court and had to hire a new guy; she lost 18 months of use of her pool!

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

RinaRina — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:26:46 GMT

@patbz wrote:
One of my neighbors in a small CA city decided to renovate her deck and pool and used an unlicensed guy ( why?????). After 72,000 the area was unusable ( she posted plenty of pics of shoddy workmanship ). She ended up in court and had to hire a new guy; she lost 18 months of use of her pool!

==========================================

Do you mean $72,000 dollars?

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

skatting44 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:29:22 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
@RinaRina

When I did my kitchen reno this company came "recommended" by others who got kitchens done very reasonable. The OWNER turned out to be a total Ahole - we had many disagreements YET the workers were wonderful.

After I thought about it - i had paid in full for the all the materials and at that price couldn't take a chance of him bailing! Who knows if they'd ever come back! (Seems to happen alot in FL take you $$ and not return to do work)

Watch Judge Judy there's always someone with a "bad" contractor story!

I learned my lesson after the kitchen to only hire licensed, bonded and insured contractors who really HAD LICENSE AND REFERENCES.

I've used the same guy for the last 4 major renovations I did and yes, not cheap but worth the "peace of mind".

My flooring was completed yesterday and as always, to perfection!!

May have to ask , where is this Contarctor - looks like many could use him for various projects such as myself.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

skatting44 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:38:37 GMT

Had a basement finished off. Had negotiated with Contractor that I wanted to pay separately for lumber, paint , sound proof insulation , doors and all fixtures such as shower stall, sink & bath cabinet , tile and light fixtures , bath hardware and all the entire new flooring . Well, I did buy most things but the contractor gave me one phone call that I missed abt the paint , doors and insulation. I was a bit put out abt the matter and feel I was over charged . However, the job was done right and the Contractor was a relative , so I simply paid in full . I received no family discounts from the billing. Not sure abt who to hire for the next big project

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

suzyQ3 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:43:21 GMT

No, but we should have. At least learned after our very bad experience just how to go about hiring people to do work in our house. One big question we always ask now is whether they have their crew. If they sub, we say good-bye.

Re: Have you ever FIRED a Contractor?

homedecor1 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:50:28 GMT

@rockygems123

I'm loving them!!! Everything about them and clean up is so easy!!!

Yes, house was a mess while i waited for materials for a few months, but, once the project got started it went smoothly.

(I reminded spouse we spent $5000 5 years ago to carpet this house because he insisted "rugs were the way to go" -- what a waste of $$$$)

The best thing is the furniture pieces I hated look so much nicer and maybe I'll only buy a few new pieces vs. entire rooms.