Trouble with building contractors?

**rosebron** · 10-04-2006, 10:45 PM

We are renovating a rental house that burned in June.
I was aware that my main contractor was a hustler but I didn't realize to what extent.

Yesterday, he got upset with the sheetrock contractor because we paid him after negotiating a price. Apparently, our main contractor had made a verbal deal to add a 50% premium for the sheetrock guy's services.

That fell apart it seems. My contractor did not lift a straw to help the sheetrock guy!!

Any of you have trouble with contractors?

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 10-05-2006, 08:09 AM

Welcome to the world of construction! This is a typical deal and not at all unusual. I'm a painting subcontractor and work for general contractors all the time. They ALWAYS add to my bid. There is even a line in my contract about not discussing my price with owners. Hope you have a good contract. Watch out to be sure that your contact is paying his subs their agreed on price or you'll end up paying twice. Be sure to get partial and full releases of liens on all payments or you'll get screwed in the end.
One other question if you knew this contractor was a bum why did you go with him????

Laurie in BRadenton

**Valerie in WA** · 10-05-2006, 01:46 PM

50% sounds high. Most generals add 10-15% to the sub-contractor's price.

Have I had trouble with contractors? Well, my general contractor also happens to be my dh. The biggest problem I have is that he starts jobs and then never finishes them. OTOH, he works for beer and 'favors'

.

:rofl: Ah, I crack me up....

**rosebron** · 10-06-2006, 08:31 PM

Laurie in Bradenton:
The area that we live in is very rural and very poor.
I was trying to give this guy a chance - guess that's why he's had trouble, no?

Valerie: you made me laugh so loud.
My DH mudt be your DH's twin!!!

**annertak** · 10-06-2006, 10:24 PM

I work for a general contractor, and I agree 50% seems high, but most contractors add to the subcontractor's bid. We don't, but most do. We have a page in our contract that clearly spells out our lack of liability for anything the homeowner supplies, or anyone the homeowner hires out of contract with us.

I will say, however, that if the general has a contract with you, and he is taking on the liability of the job, then the subcontractor works for the general, not you. If we had a subcontractor go to a job & the sub negotiated a price with the homeowner, we'd be a little more than angry!

**rosebron** · 10-07-2006, 09:47 AM

I, too, would be angry.

However, the issue turned sour when our main contractor asked US to negotiate a price WITH the sheetrock contractor, which, in hindsight, doesn't make much sense if he was planning to charge a premium.

**annertak** · 10-07-2006, 12:29 PM

Well, in that case yes, he's a shyster!

I hope things go better until the job is done!

**Glen Derryl** · 11-03-2008, 01:44 AM

For trouble-free home addition or renovation in an efficient and stress-free process contact "I'm a spammer" building contractors.

I removed this dude's contact information. I doubt that this contractor from India will come and do work in the USA.
His IP was from India and he was spamming. Shady business.
121.243.172.241.static-bangalore.vsnl.net.in -Gabe

**fixer** · 11-03-2008, 03:17 PM

As a self-employed electrician, I am never surprised at what I hear other contractors do. I fell victim to a counter installer myself. I listened to his promises, instead realizing what was on paper. Also, always check references and credentials. I ask for the last three jobs, then I ask the references when the job was performed. This serves as an initial honesty check. I am a Master Electrician but, it seems anyone with a screwdriver is working in my field. I always show my card I receive from the state.(for only $100 a year plus mandatory continuing education) The up-side is that if you are a good honest contractor people remember you and refer friends.

**Gabe** · 11-03-2008, 09:50 PM

Don't pay attention to Glen... he is a spammer from Bangalore India.
I doubt he can offer his service to the USA legally.

**jdr250** · 11-03-2008, 10:24 PM

My issue was with my electrician. After accepting my down payment, he didn't show up for over 2 months. Then when he came he damaged so much of my original woodwork in my hundred plus year old house. Then we we complained he said he could fix it, so he slapped some wood putty in the shattered woodword and nailed the pieces to the wall. He didn't even sand the putty. Then one of his employees stole our change jar and my dh's zippo. Now he did give us the money back for that. But then he said he was finished and I didn't want to be confrontational and my dh was at work so when I mentioned the busted plaster in a couple of my rooms he said he would be back the next week to fix it and I should hold $100 off the balance till he came back I accepted. Needless to say, I've yet to see him again and that was 5 yrs ago. That was the longest 3 week job of my life. The only thing I can say that made me happy with the job was I didn't worry about the old knob and tube wiring anymore, but it took us months to fix what he damaged and it's still not like it was you just can't replace 100 + year old wood work.
So yeah I've learned to dread contractors. Good luck!