AWOL Builder

By Tim Carter
©1993-2010 Tim Carter

Summary: Advance payment to your contractor only when the work is completed. Make a schedule with a detailed cost breakdown that your builder will help you with at the beginning of the job.

DEAR TIM: My builder has deserted me. There are several things to finish on my job. However, even though I am holding back $2,750.00, I can't get him back to finish. Why would he not want to collect the money that I still have? U. A.

DEAR U. A.: Based upon the list of items you described which need to be completed, I feel I know the answer to your problem. Believe it or not, the value of the work which remains to be completed is probably in excess of $6,000.00. If your builder does not return to finish, it appears that he will have gotten more money from you than he deserves.

This is a common problem. It can be avoided very simply. You must only advance money to your builder for actual work completed. You probably would not be in this situation had you obtained a detailed cost breakdown at the beginning of your job.

How would you like me to build your new home? It's probably impossible for me to fit your job into my schedule, but I will gladly share hundreds of my tricks and building secrets with you and your builder. Check out my New House Specifications.

Comments:

Sue
19 Feb 2008, 14:23

My builder demanded a very large final payment a whole month before the home was completed. He bullied me and even resorted to violence. I had the detailed payment schedule which he chose to disregard when he got strapped for cash. He filed a false lien and frivolous law suit for retaliation.

AsktheBuilder
26 Feb 2008, 20:29

Sue,
I sure hope you withheld the payment......

SUE
02 Mar 2008, 13:27

Comment on answer to Sue.

I withheld part of payment and faced retaliation that continues to this day as a result. I have filed complaints to consumer agencies and when he is notified I receive threats and vandalism in an effort to scare me into not talking. Has anyone experienced abuses like this? I have hired many good contractors over the years so I know that this isn't the norm.