What shoud I do if a contractor start a job, (after taking half down), works a few weeks then doesn’t finish? Now he won’t answer phone calls or emails.
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If the contractor is not licensed ( Did you check out his license, like what they have overhere on Buildzoom, really easy to check on The official site of the Sate of Florida.
How big was the job?
What did the job all include?
How big was the down-payment?
I don’t think tha happend with us, Because we don’t recive any down payment before to start the project, any way we finish the most projects in just one day
A bit more information would be helpful.
Do you have a written or verbal contract?
What was the total cost and scope of the work?
Was your Contractor licensed and insured?
Does your Contractor have a store front or office, or does he work out of the back of his truck?
Would the cost to complete the unfinished work exceed the balance remaining on the contract?
Did you pay the deposit using cash, check or credit card?
Is he working on other projects you know of?
Does he have a criminal record, or a record of being sued?
Do you know his home phone or address?
Do you know the names, addresses or phone numbers of any of his subcontractors or suppliers?
Has he fully paid for the materials he has supplied to your project?
Have you done extensive Google searches on the Contractor, his phone number, his address and/or his email addresses?
Here are a few suggestions that would minimize the chance of engaging a bad contractor:
The first thing I would do is ask Buildzoom to recommend a highly qualified contractor near you. Whether you use a qualified Buildzoom contractor, or consider other contractors, there are a few thing you should keep in mind.
A little forethought and research will make the process go much more smoothly, and will be well worth the effort!. Whether you're hiring a painter, wallpaper hanger, landscaper, heating and cooling specialist, or roofer, there are some universal things you should know before you begin.
Family, friends and neighbors can be a great source of information -- ask them for recommendations.
Ask other craftspeople, that you have been pleased with, for their referrals.
Contact several contractors (at least 3).
Insist the contractors come to the site to quote prices and make sure all contractors are bidding on the same plans and specifications.
Get a written quote, with a materials list.
Ask to see pictures of completed projects.
Ask for references and check them out! Are their customers happy with the work they've done? Is there a consistent pattern of problems?
Are they insured and licensed?
Make sure the quote includes removal of all materials, if any, and cleanup of the site.
Don't choose a contractor based solely on price -- remember the general rule, "You get what you pay for!" That said, don't assume that the least expensive contractor will be the worst and the most expensive the best.
It's best to select a contractor based on the combination of price, experience and your gut feeling. It's important that you are comfortable, especially if it's a lengthy project -- you'll be in each other's faces day in and day out!
Check their credit rating. Ask for their suppliers' names and numbers -- check with them to see that the contractor pays their bills.
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints lodged against them.
Check with your local or County Courts, see if your prospective Contractor has been sued, if so, how many times and why!
I hope this helps!One thing to keep in mind always when hiring a contractor is that you as the home owner should always make tyhe contract and not your contractor. also best practise to keep your self safe from bad contractors to add a term in your contract that is Called " LIQUIDATED DAMAGES" the contractro shoudl provide you with an approximate start and completion for the project is the contractor passes the date of completion due to negligance liquidated damages will come in effect. Liquidated damages are paid back to the owner from the contractor if the project is not completed in time usually for homes is about $250 per day.
Do keep in mind that sometimes extensions will be needed by the contractor due to un forseen site condition, weather, changes etc. and you must provide an extension of date if the contractor did not really have any control over that situation.
contractors are only alowed to take 1/3 payments on the labor. you can file charges at your local magistrate
http://www.dlwalldesign.com On the state of florida anything can happen but if you consider to : 1-check background history 2-lincense and insurance 3-all contractors must have work van or truck 4-check if they have lincense on the truck 4-in some cases we need to have other insurance like bond insurance 5-dont give the contractor all the money in front 30% to start 20% 50% 6-sign writen contract if is possible notary the contract for your safety 7-check all the project done last 2 monts 8-email and phone number that has been more than 10 years with the same trade 9-ask for recive on every buy the contractors does for your materials and check if is the correct amount off cash 10-check his company on on bbb.com sumbiz and all the google yahoo or bing for the same real name and company name 11-check how hi dress if is properly or not and if came dirty to do a quote or not all the contractors must have the best apariense possible to talk to clients 12-when you open the door of your house see if the contractors go in front first that is not good sign you own the house you nowk were the job is go in to be in your house not the contractor he must wait for your instruccion and you show first before he inside your house … 13-you must have 3 eyes check how the contractor talk spress and see if he is qualify for this job 14-you have 3 quote that you the client must do check 3 and get the midle one is client own desicion thank you so much this is gerardo gonzalez i own a wallpaper company and painting here on the state florida we are locate in miami we are here to help all customer on your project or any question the you must have thank you so much and i hope this answer help you … GERARDO Y GONZALEZ
Call the local better business bureau report the contractor. Call the consumer fraud agency and the contractor will jump for you. Call your local news station the contractor hates this one. Notify your attorney if all else fails. Report the contractor to the city building department.
First and most, contact your building department and report the problem, then contact the licensing agency and department of public safety, then call the office of your state general attorneys office and file a claim, then contact BBB and inform them of what took place. He is gone due to 2 things, first they relized project was under bid, second they are bad contractors, if they have done to you, they have done it before to others. Read your contract, review it with your lawyer, decide to sue the contractor or move on and cut your looses.