Long story short, my contractor is not making good on his commitments to finish my backyard. The decking has not been stained, permits not signed off, artificial turf not done correctly...

Besides going to the licensing board, and small claims, what are some of my options? Any tips and hints? Thank you!

Has he completely cut off contact or still responding to you?

Hopefully you did not pay him a lot upfront. If this is the case, perhaps jettison him and get someone else to finish the work. Guy sounds like an asshole.

My folks did this and had a large deposit tied up over it. Before it goes to the judge, they had to try a court mediator. They got their deposit back and some damages in exchange for agreeing to not trash the contractor online. My folks are pretty Internet-illiterate anyway, so not much of a concession for them.

Rent a black panel van with tinted windows. I'll assemble a group of the guys......

Contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
Rent a black panel van with tinted windows. I'll assemble a group of the guys......

It depends on where you are in this. Have you paid him for the whole thing or partial? What percentage of the work has been done in your view? Do you want a refund or want to get them to finish it? Finally, how much is "at stake"?

Oftentimes the best course of action is to go after their bond (assuming they have one) and just continuing on with a new contractor from where you are.

Sorry, I hate saying "it depends" but . . .

If you’re feeling kind you might call, email, text, send a certified letter that he has X days to get in touch, start working again, finish the job etc. or you’ll contact CSLB and your attorney. If you’re not feeling it go ahead and call CSLB without warning. Hopefully you have a contract. If found the threat of CSLB is usually enough.

Send him a link to the Chicago United flight where an unruly passenger was subdued with duct tape. You've got a fresh roll and you know how to use it.

PA has a progressive Democratic Governor but he is very consumer oriented. Current law requires licensing and has restrictions on buisness practices such as capping down payments at 30%. Check to see what CA law might already provide as remedy.

If your state permits the process go after his bond. Much quicker and less expensive than litigation.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It really sucks to have hopes, dreams and plans, see work started and then just stop..and then you have to start making phone calls and feel like you’re harassing somebody to do their job.
Don’t bother with the Better Business Bureau.. you can, but they aren’t going to be able to do anything, they just don’t have any teeth. Negative reviews for certain and a certified letter are the way to start, imho. Depending on how much you have into it certainly legal action may be required.
If you or the wife have enough patience, calling them once every week, not the same time, leaving messages, documenting the calls, and texting have helped me in the past. Sheer persistence and negotiating the value of the work that has already been done with a refund being given if you’ve overpaid. I still have no railing on my staircase outside, but I only paid half down on the whole project, so I just called it quits after a summer of phone calls..and he never darkened my doorstep again. Hopefully my fence is a project that will be continued next summer, but that’s a different group of folks that seem more responsive.
I wish you luck, and hope you don’t have to sue.

Seems a bit odd that a lein can be placed on customers property for failure to pay a company ,
But
Can customers get a lien on a company for failure to meet the demands of a contract?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

Very sorry to read this David. Can be maddening to say the least. I am having similar problems with the contractor on a house build I am overseeing for family. About 85% done. About 4 months overdue. Dragging his feet. It is really a shitty place to be.
I am sorry that people have to be this way for no good reason. Have no business in being in the business basically. Hope you can get to the finish line. If not that, some positive resolution.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
Rent a black panel van with tinted windows. I'll assemble a group of the guys......

I’m in.

Email sent from my Gmail account.

quote:

Originally posted by TomS:

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
Rent a black panel van with tinted windows. I'll assemble a group of the guys......

I’m in.

#Me2

Sorry to hear, once you get this issue resolved don't forget to contact the Better Business bureau.

David-
Most states have a grievance procedure. I’d start with the building official where the permit was taken out. They can advise you best how to proceed. Most states have a Contractor Compensation Board for cases just like you’ve described. They also have the authority to revoke his license if he doesn’t do the right thing.


EDIT: Here’s a link to the relevant gov agency…

https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/filing_a_complaint/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smlsig,