I'm getting abuse from my contractor. I am learing.

[wren]

Dewey,

This sums it up perfectly and fairly. It makes sense. You nailed it when you said he is having to itemize. He assumed what we wanted, and we thought he understood. I did not know any better. We will be asking for more detail and specifics next time. Thank you everyone for straightening me out!

Yeh, I would not suggest posting the actual contract.

Unless specific upgraded materials are noted on the contract, using standard materials (giving a color choice where applicable) is routine. It's neither good or bad, just the most economical choice for many people that are on a tighter budget.

If someone later decides they want an upgrade it's usually not an issue because there's an upcharge for it but it can cause time delays...but if a materials change will create a design change, then that will add more time and perhaps a need for different materials or other work that was not originally included, and of course more added costs.

Unless the contractor just wants to fulfill his contracted obligation as quickly as possible just to get away from the whole thing, I'm not sure why a faucet upgrade with an upcharge would be a big deal...unless the faucets require changes at the sinks and the added costs are balked at. Some sinks require that cabinets be altered and so on. I dunno, sounds like the contractor thought he was bidding an entire job with fairly standard replacement items and now is having to itemize for more custom work and tack-on costs for each additional change, when a custom job usually is not estimated that way.

Good luck with what's left to do and I hope it all works out smoothly for you on your next project, having every detail and specific materials and costs listed in the contract.

 

[herfrds]

simple solution. FIRE HIM. WHY?? its not his house! its YOURS. Doesnt matter what the contractor likes... its what YOU like. If hes trying to be bossy and tell you what to do there is usualy a reason... AKA: He only knows how to do things one way... or hes trying to hide the fact that hes done things wrong. Get his work double checked.

X2

 

[herfrds]

I have dealt with different contractors both good and bad.
Had one that came in after a fire, Was suppose to remove the walls and ceilings in the damaged room. Removed the walls but refused to remove the ceiling. I did it. Refused to get the extra sheet rock for the room to replace the ceiling. Did not show up when scheduled.
I fired his butt that same day and brought in another contractor. My new one had the room done in no time.
Had another one that quit on us 5 days before our builders were due. The next guy showed up on time and had the job done when he said he would.

Does not matter if you like him or not. There are good ones and bad ones out there you just gotta know which one to hire.

 

[dewey]

That it does not matter what the contractor likes is true, for sure, but it does matters what the contract contains and whether or not it's being fulfilled as written. Firing a contractor (one assumed to be licensed, bonded, and insured or according to state regulations...otherwise it's all a mute point) that is upholding a contract as-written and agreed to can have significant financial repercussions for the homeowner.

We do all custom work for both contractors and individuals, and then some. For over 30+ years I've worked directly with hundreds and hundreds of contractors and individuals and have seen just about everything imaginable (and many things nobody could ever imagine

) under the sun. It happens more often than most could ever even begin to imagine. Just this week one of my GC's had a high-end client decide on a whim that they'd like a different design knowing full well that their project was already completed. This was the day before install which meant juggling 2 month's work. That's a big added financial obligation to all contractors and their clients involved not even counting the paperwork nightmare involved to cover one's hiney.

On the other hand, this same week a "fly-by-night-as-of-lately" licensed contractor completely ripped off one of their customers (and tried to rip us off) and we went in and cleaned up that mess at a high cost to the customer (and at the customer's request).

There's good and bad in all and it's buyer and contractor beware as it has always been. I have contractors that call me to warn of certain clients that have a history of ripping off contractors, and individual clients that tip me off to certain contractors that have totally ripped them off. Yeh, word gets around both ways. All I can recommend for individuals is to check contractor ref's over at least a 10 year period of happy clients and to make sure there's no issues with ROC or the BBB. It's too bad but legit, honest contractors usually do not have the luxury of checking out their clients beforehand.

 

[chickened]

There is a legal theory called quantam meritus (spelling?) it basically says that a person is allowed reasonable payment for thier work. Even when a homeowner changes thier mind or makes a contractor do work that is not in the contract the contractor can sue based on the QM claim.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

For the faucets or other things that you want a specific say in, ask what specs they need to meet, and ask what price he has already allotted for it. Then tell him that you plan to choose your faucet (etc.) and will ensure that they meet whatever specs he provides, and expect to pay anything additional to what he had already allotted, but that since he will not have the expense, that it will be deducted; You can ask if he has specific vendors that he prefers using; contractors usually get discounts from vendors, and those should be passed to you if you purchase from that vendor. Do this in writing, and ask when he needs it to be available, and make sure it is.

Since there are inspections, I assume that there is a building permit. Call and speak to the people who issued the permit and ask them about vapor barriers, and what is required and also what is not necessarily required, but is preferred for your area. Specifically ask about remodels versus new builds. Going straight to the source will get you better information than does asking here where most of us replying do not have anywhere near the depth of knowledge to give you specifics.

Lots of people gripe about inspections. As long as the griping is about things such as having to delay progress until the inspectors fit the needed inspection into the schedule, and not about what they are checking and possibly requiring corrections on, I don't think that is a concern. If you did not have a building permit, and he was telling you that you really did not need it--that it would be better to avoid "all that nonsense" or something similar, then huge red flags would be raised.

Bottom line is that he works for you. This is not a home he is remodeling on his own for resale. YOU get to make the choices. Make sure he understands that, and that your evaluation of his work, and what you pass on to others will take that into account. He can choose to work with you or against you, but if the later, you will both lose out as you will be unhappy in your home and with his work, and he will not enjoy future recommendations from you.

 

[RHRanch]

For the faucets or other things that you want a specific say in, ask what specs they need to meet, and ask what price he has already allotted for it. Then tell him that you plan to choose your faucet (etc.) and will ensure that they meet whatever specs he provides, and expect to pay anything additional to what he had already allotted, but that since he will not have the expense, that it will be deducted; You can ask if he has specific vendors that he prefers using; contractors usually get discounts from vendors, and those should be passed to you if you purchase from that vendor. Do this in writing, and ask when he needs it to be available, and make sure it is.

Since there are inspections, I assume that there is a building permit. Call and speak to the people who issued the permit and ask them about vapor barriers, and what is required and also what is not necessarily required, but is preferred for your area. Specifically ask about remodels versus new builds. Going straight to the source will get you better information than does asking here where most of us replying do not have anywhere near the depth of knowledge to give you specifics.

Lots of people gripe about inspections. As long as the griping is about things such as having to delay progress until the inspectors fit the needed inspection into the schedule, and not about what they are checking and possibly requiring corrections on, I don't think that is a concern. If you did not have a building permit, and he was telling you that you really did not need it--that it would be better to avoid "all that nonsense" or something similar, then huge red flags would be raised.

Bottom line is that he works for you. This is not a home he is remodeling on his own for resale. YOU get to make the choices. Make sure he understands that, and that your evaluation of his work, and what you pass on to others will take that into account. He can choose to work with you or against you, but if the later, you will both lose out as you will be unhappy in your home and with his work, and he will not enjoy future recommendations from you.

X2 - its cheaper to install the upgraded fixtures you want then to waste money on fixtures you don't want. Just pay the difference in price from the contractor grade item to the ugraded item.

 

[herfrds]

Wren did you see the info Gary posted on the link? That should help you out.

 

[wren]

Yep, I saw it.

 

[fuzziebutt]

Get a building inspector to come over while your contractor is there, and let the contractor tell the building inspector that you don't need a vapor barrior., Or anything else you think he is doing wrong. Has your contractor bought any permits? Is he licensed and bonded? Or get another licensed contractor to come look at the work, and see if you are getting hosed. Put the job on hold until you find out.