Contractor add to his bill

[Anonymous]

Hired a contractor to do major remodeling. He was the lowest bidder by nearly 20%. During construction his crew and or subcontractors did make mistakes. For instance, they cleaned their tools off in our utility sink thus clogging it. I informed him and he responded quickly. Now he is trying to bill me for it. No monetary discussions where made about the sink in advance.

Another instance, his electrical contractor started working on a separate project in the house which was not part of the contract. I did not know about this until after several hours was spent on this. I prefer to do it myself. Now the contractor wants to bill me for it.


Some work was not done as per contract. So I made them reduce it. Again, he wants to bill me for it.

As part of his sales pitch, he offered to do crown moulding for free. I was opppsed at first as I wanted to do it myself. Now he wants to bill me for it.

I asked him to confirm that things were done to the code and industry standards. He has not done that yet.

I think the real issue is he budded liw, his crew was slow and unorganized as a result he is losing money. Any advice or insight? Thx

[Anonymous]

For a contract to be binding, you had to be aware of the terms. He can’t just surprise you like that.

[Anonymous]

No, tell him that you will pay per contract in less you authorized it in advanced. You should not have to pay for tools cleaned and damaging the sink/plumbing.

If he wants to bill you for crown and you can DIY, no.

Same for electrical. If its not in writing and you did not verbally authorize it, no.

[Anonymous]

OP here, he says I complicated things by not communicating. But I was at work or commuting 11 hours a day.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a shady contractor doing shoddy work.

I would fire him asap. Typically guys like that will cut corners unless he gets you to pay extra every step of the way. They underbid initially, knowing that they will drive up the price along the way.

If you don’t pay, things will be done incorrectly

[Anonymous]

What is the name of the contractor? Sounds like an experience I had.

Said he would do things for “free” like crown molding, then wanted to bill me for it.

[Anonymous]

Pay per contract and for work done as completed. You have no obligation to pay because it was underbid or he made mistakes. Do not cheat him if you added things to his list. Hopefully sink clog was documented by you in writing-that it was their mistake

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, he says I complicated things by not communicating. But I was at work or commuting 11 hours a day.

So were you completely unavailable for 11 hrs of the day? They probably cant stop work in progeess to ask your permission about every unexpected X, Y, and Z. It would set back the timeline by days/weeks.

Your contractor probably just assumed you'd want the electrical work done especially if you're not going to communicate with them for the 11 hrs you claim you're not available.
Would you rather have them stop work, twiddle their thumbs, and lose time/money while waiting for you to answer your cell phone for every thing they come across?

[Anonymous]

23:11 the contractor name started with D. I was available by phone anytime. Gave my number. My wife’s number. 24 - 7 I was available. My wife tried to stop by at lunch.

[Anonymous]

Appears as if your case is solid. The contract was altered. You were unaware and the lines of communication were open. He is in a bind and is throwing Hail Mary passes. He likely has a bitchy wife

[Anonymous]

I think you went with the low-ball offer, are being billed now for items that were part of the job and you're whining about it. You sound like a complete sleazeball client. I am not a contractor, I am a homeowner. Clients like you give homeowners a bad name.

If you name the contractor then I hope he lawyers up and goes after you in court for libel and/or slander, depending on how you name him.

[Anonymous]

He altered contract without your knowledge and permission. Your case is solid. Call building inspector, BBB, consumer affairs, MHIC and an attorney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, he says I complicated things by not communicating. But I was at work or commuting 11 hours a day.

That really is your problem not his.

[Anonymous]

You can always try the BBB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you went with the low-ball offer, are being billed now for items that were part of the job and you're whining about it. You sound like a complete sleazeball client. I am not a contractor, I am a homeowner. Clients like you give homeowners a bad name.

If you name the contractor then I hope he lawyers up and goes after you in court for libel and/or slander, depending on how you name him.

If the OP went with the low ball offer, he shouldn’t be getting billed extra for things that “were part of the job”