I've been going through a very extensive remodel on my little '57 cinderblock beach bungalow, taking it to the slab and rafters. Took 4 bids, accepted the contractor that did my kid's kitchen and floor remodel, not highest, not lowest but claimed to have everything in house so no scheduling of sub-contractors that can slow a project's progress. Signed a contract that was very well put together, giving me more trust after finding many contractors down here don't offer a contract.
7 weeks later, finishing up, get final invoice (1/3 to schedule, 1/3 start day, 1/3 completion) despite a couple issues being outstanding, ~$1k over expected final 1/3 do to some extra paint trim work but...was told to expect a seperate invoice for electrical/HVAC, WTF?
I have no contract with this (what turned out to be) sub-contractor, no idea he was a sub and is now expecting payment from me. Fortunately, I do have old friends with experience in law, contract law is relatively simple and NC law seems very clear.
Full disclosure, I feel taken advantage of by a predatory contractor. Upon introduction to the electrician/HVAC person, I got "up-sold" more lighting and moving the HVAC registers to the perimeter of the home instead of down the middle of the room they way they built them back them, such that I expected a "change order" to be made or modification to the original estimate/contract, even after I expressed my anxiety to the office manager, saying it will "all work out in the end".
Now, the GC says they credited back the electrical/HVAC in the original contract, made modifications to the final payment and expecting me to pay them while the electrician/HVAC guy is holding his hand out for work I never signed off on, get an estimate for nor agreed to a price for said work I was up-sold. This is all to a tune of putting me 20% over budget without notice.
My attorney friends (in CA and DC) have their opinions, I'm opening up to my trusted ONSC crew who has vast expertise in many arenas and may offer me some insight to deal with this situation. I'm not happy feeling taken advantage of but I'm not a thief and will fairly compensate for the work that was completed. It's how to come to that point without wasting time in arbitration/court.
Thanks in advance for any advice
7 weeks later, finishing up, get final invoice (1/3 to schedule, 1/3 start day, 1/3 completion) despite a couple issues being outstanding, ~$1k over expected final 1/3 do to some extra paint trim work but...was told to expect a seperate invoice for electrical/HVAC, WTF?
I have no contract with this (what turned out to be) sub-contractor, no idea he was a sub and is now expecting payment from me. Fortunately, I do have old friends with experience in law, contract law is relatively simple and NC law seems very clear.
Full disclosure, I feel taken advantage of by a predatory contractor. Upon introduction to the electrician/HVAC person, I got "up-sold" more lighting and moving the HVAC registers to the perimeter of the home instead of down the middle of the room they way they built them back them, such that I expected a "change order" to be made or modification to the original estimate/contract, even after I expressed my anxiety to the office manager, saying it will "all work out in the end".
Now, the GC says they credited back the electrical/HVAC in the original contract, made modifications to the final payment and expecting me to pay them while the electrician/HVAC guy is holding his hand out for work I never signed off on, get an estimate for nor agreed to a price for said work I was up-sold. This is all to a tune of putting me 20% over budget without notice.
My attorney friends (in CA and DC) have their opinions, I'm opening up to my trusted ONSC crew who has vast expertise in many arenas and may offer me some insight to deal with this situation. I'm not happy feeling taken advantage of but I'm not a thief and will fairly compensate for the work that was completed. It's how to come to that point without wasting time in arbitration/court.
Thanks in advance for any advice
)spoke to the attorney recommended (Steve) he gave me lots of his time, great advice and let me know I could screw them, walk away (being they acted as a GC over $30k job) but…I don’t want something for nothing.
