Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Discussion Forum
:

VERY OT-Remodeling house

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Rob N Va

07-03-2003 11:46:57




Report to Moderator

I am remodeling a house which I plan to rent out. I am having the whole thing rewired. Existing wiring was clothbound aluminum, so it definetly needs to be done. Here's my problem: I can't get the electrical contractor to show up. It has been 7 weeks and still no show. Every time I call him, he gives me the same old story that he is just really behind in his work and he will be there "tomorrow". Last week I got really stern with him and he "promised" that he would be in there this past Tuesday. Guess what? No show. Needless to say, my patience has run out. This guy even had the nerve to get rude with me on the phone. He said "it's not my problem if you don't answer your phone". I said, "ever heard of leaving a message"? Anyway, enough of my rant on this guy. The biggest problem is that I already paid him half down for the whole job. At this point I need to handle the situation gingerly, because I don't want to tick him off and have him come in and do a half cracked job, and I'd rather not go to court (anymore than he does). I ask you guys, because I am young (28..young and dumb) and this is the first major undertaking I have ever done like this and I figured some of you out there would have expierence with something like this. I appreciate anything anyone has to throw in on this one!!!---Rob

P.S. I trailed my 8N over to this old house to clean up the yard and I had an otherwise all day chore done in a couple of hours!!! Happy Fourth to everyone!!!

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Rick B. Silverton OR

07-03-2003 23:52:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
Rob, there is diferences from state to state with regards to contractor laws so I think you would be wise to FIRST call your local state contracting authority (look under state and local governments in your phone book for something like builders board, building codes devision, contractors licensing, community development or whatever they call it in your state)and get the low down on what your rights as a homeowner are and what the contractors responsibilitys are. It is not uncommon for a contractor to be required to inform YOU of the lien laws and such in your state. They also may be required to have some sort of written contract.In Oregon these violations can result in fines or licence suspensions depending on severity of the violations, but for a Sparkie nothing is more motivating than loss of ones electrical licence. They typicaly take a long time to get and if a Sparkie Contractor has no licence it means no electrical permits, hence NO WORK. Lastly if you can leverage the flake try and get your money back instead of moving forward with the work, you dont want to get any further sideways with this guy. My 2 cents. Bman

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry (AL)

07-03-2003 16:59:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
Demand your money back and look again. If he refuses, then give him a drop dead date to do the work or else. You then either take him to court or walk away a smarter man.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Gary_8n-fl

07-03-2003 13:42:59




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
Had the same problem building a pool last year, but at least I had a late penalty in the contract, Got me $800 at $50 a day.

Talked to my old man about it after, he gave me the advice that "If you pay peanuts you get monkeys". Of course he is having his home resided this year and his contractor is worse than mine, and was not the low bidder ..

Good luck..
Gary



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
buck

07-03-2003 13:28:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  

If the guy is really behind he is probably too sorry to keep up with work that he has pomised so lick your wounds and fire the guy. I will add a little tale(true) One man has had just about as much as he can take from another man so he finally just dukes the guy out. Guy takes him to court and he has to pay a fine. (No much as the judge sorta saw his side of the situation.) When the man that did the duking was ask how he felt he replied,"best money I ever spent"

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ratface

07-03-2003 13:24:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
I threatened to do this once and got results. This is basically a bluff on your part, but a well planned bluff can be effective. Call your local newspaper and ask them how much to take out a full page ad. You might have a sketch of a fellow looking at his watch calibrated in weeks waiting for a repair truck with this guy's name on it. The caption might read, " Anyone knowing the whereabouts of john doe contact me at such and such. You don't want to say anything that is not true. Mail him a copy of a draft of the ad along with a copy of your payment to the newspaper stating something like, " If I don't see you by tuesday this ad will run on thursday. Remember it's only a bluff initially. If he dosen't bite then you have a decision to make. At the very least it will make you feel better.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Rich, NJ

07-03-2003 12:44:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
A few things come to mind. One, Never give money up front. This is called "Front end loading" And it's a guaranteed way to get delays. Professional Const. managers
give payout's by the percentage of completion while holding back a 10% retainage. The 10% is paid upon final inspection and passage. Not before. Remember that word, Retainage. Not just for electrical contractors, But all trades. He has a License issued by the State, You may have recourse there with the licensing agency. If not there, Try your county Consumer Affairs. They deal with contractors all the time. Here's another word, "Liquidated Damages" ! when someone holds you up with their delays, this costs you money. If a job is to commence on such and such a day and be finished by a reasonable time with you estimate in your critical path,and it gets held up by a slow contractor, you are entitled to have the damages reimbursed. If you can reasonably show that you expected completion by a certain date to begin rental, and his delays are taking you past that date, Then you have recourse through the courts. However, If you use an Lawyer, You Cannot collect the Attorney fees. You have to eat them. Just so you know. Good Luck, Rich

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Rob

07-03-2003 12:12:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
I can't say what to do about this situation but I can tell you something to try next time you hire a contractor.
First, don't give him anything for nothing. With that in mind you can agree to pay for the mat'l once it is on-site and before it's installed. That way the guy can get some cash, at least his mark-up on the mat'l, and you don't give up money for nothing. You might agree to pay for any permits etc also. Second thing, you want to see the guy has insurance and if there is going to be helpers you want to see worker's comp. All the guy has to do is call his insurance agent and get you a form certifying the insurance and comp. It's no big deal and it can happen in hours. You need him to have insurance. Keep a copy for your files. Trust me on that. Third thing, do not make final payment on the job until you KNOW the supply houses have been paid for the mat'l used on YOUR job. The contractor can give you invoice numbers and you can call the supply house to make sure that invoice is for the mat'l used on your job and that it has been paid. If it hasn't been paid you get with the contractor and go down and pay that invoice instead of the contractor. You do not want to know what a mechanic's lein is and you do not want to pay for the mat'l twice.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Adam P

07-03-2003 12:03:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
Well, just like we speak of here,,,, You Can do the work yourself. You'll have to pull a permit to do the work, and with a little common sense, and a whole lot of "think safty",,,, You should be able to rewire just as competently....if not more so, 'cause you own it. I don't know what type of number$ are involved, but a lawsuit might be the only way to go... You might find that a friendly threat, or a subpoena at his door just might show him your serious, and you / he might just settle out of court... If it were me, I know that I would not want that guy working on my electrical only because he doesn't want to do it. Yeah that instills confidance...not
If you want to do it yourself, just make an OT post, and I'm sure you'll get help!!!
AP

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
rbell

07-03-2003 12:00:45




Report to Moderator
 Re: VERY OT-Remodeling house in reply to Rob N Va, 07-03-2003 11:46:57  
You might ask if it would help him catch up if you assist.
Dragging wire is not hard, drilling holes is not hard, and mounting boxes is easy.
Maybe that will speed him up (seeing he will loose income cause you did the biggest part of the work)



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy