Looking For Advise and a new GC!!! Please help!!!

[Marilyn M Orbach Rosenberg]

In February of this year, I purchased a house in St. Petes, which requires a full gut reno.  (My goal is to then rent it long term or mid term). I hired someone who presented himself as GC and told me that it will be done in 6 months.  Until July, apart from demo nothing was done.  Then I found out that he was not a GC but working under a GC.  His strategy was to just pull some permits  (plumbing and electrical) and stitch the  house back up.  At first I just wanted my money back and end the contract, but then I spoke to the GC and told him that I need the permit for the entire project and that I want to resign the contract with him (the actual GC).  He agreed.  (I didn't cancel the contract in order to avoid the hassle of figuring out how much he owed me and looking for someone else) . However, since July of this year, nothing is happening.  At first, he said that he needed to submit the plans to the engineer.  Then, he said that he couldn't find any engineer to sign off on it.  Then, when he finally submitted it to the city electronically by "eplan" he claimed that they need an engineer to make some corrections on it.  Now, according to him, he again is waiting for the engineer to get back to him.  I"m really at the end of my tether.  I'm not sure what to do or who to turn to.  

I was wondering if anyone could give me advise on what to do.  Ideally Id like to finish this with him as I am an out of state investor, but if not can anyone recommend a good, honest and reasonable GC in Saint Petes?  

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations. 

[Jared W Smith]

Sounds as though it may be best for your to find a local architect or engineer that you contract yourself to generate the plans and file. As the property owner you should not be allowing the GC to hire a Engineer/Architect for this role when it's actually the opposite relationship. The Engineer/Architect can be your eyes and ears at project and ensure the GC is doing the work and in compliance with the approved plans. 

-Jared W. Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)