Switching builders gracefully

[Leland S.]

My current builder has been not performing on a project I have and it is clear they are not doing anything to change their posture and improve or make up schedule. They are 50% complete and have exhausted 95% of the schedule they initially said they would have no problem meeting. I've given them many warnings but they still will not provide me a realistic schedule to complete. 

I imagine it will create  bit of hostility if I switch builders and cut them. Anyone with experience on how to best go about this would be nice. I am working with a lawyer currently thinking to give them a demand letter, but I don't suspect anything will change so long as I agree to pay them to slack off. I assume I should start working with a  new builder and get quotes before I cancel the contract so that the job has as much overlap between builders as possible. I am on a tight deadline.

[Ed O.]

Switching builders probably can't be done gracefully. It's difficult enough changing a single sub in the middle of a project (I'm doing this now and it is a nightmare). Few want to or are willing to resume / fix / take over another person's work. 

It will be very difficult to find a replacement builder and I'd be wary of a builder willing to do this. 

I'd wager you're better off forcing yourself to be involved in the scheduling and the process. At least that way, you can make sure people show up and that the project isn't idling. I doubt any replacement builder would commit to timeframes as there's a lot of variables and several unexpected product shortages. Who knows what it's going to be this week. 

Of course, if this is a larger scale project, the cost of the lack of speed is higher. What kind of project is it?