Finding and Working with a General Contractor

[Cordell Pearce]

Hi All,

To be brief, after 6 months of poor quality work and poor business practices, my general contractor for our home remodel project seems to have walked off with our money and a highly unfinished house.

1. How can I recoup some of my losses?

2. How can I find a reliable contractor to finish the job with what little funds I have left?

Thanks!

[Karen Margrave]

It's a tough one. Contractors don't like going onto a job that another contractor has started but didn't complete, as they take on the liability of the prior work. Always check a contractors license, bond, and insurance, BEFORE they begin ANY work on your property. NEVER pay for work that hasn't been done, or isn't going to be immediately done.

It's your property, and your money, and you have to maintain control of it.

At this point you can get another contractor and sign some type of agreement releasing them from all liability arising out of the work done to the point they start, and clearly state what the new contractor will be responsible for, costs involved, and how they will be paid. Make sure you approve of any subs and whether or not you will be paying for materials or them, if it's you, make sure you deal directly with the supplier.