Ask the Builder
AWOL Builder
By Tim Carter
©1993-2008 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.
