Can I sue a contractor for not completing work on time?

[Peter Kozlowski]

Hi all,

I have a contractor doing some work on my South City duplex. He told me he'd be done by Monday 2/17, so I gave him a few more days (until Wednesday 2/19) to complete the work. All of this is spelled out in my contract, which he signed before he began the work.

It's Wednesday 2/12 now, and he still has not completed any of the tasks on my scope, also spelled out in my contract. If he doesn't complete any of the tasks by Wednesday 2/19, as specified in my contract, can I go after him in court for lost opportunity costs? I needed this work done by then so I could get going on general remodel work.

[Patrick Hill]

Hey @Peter Kozlowski , these situations can get ugly for sure. Although this is a specific question for an attorney it sounds like if the deadline for completion is set in the contract then you would have grounds for a case. The better option may be to fire him and pay what work has been completed, then retain another contractor to finalize the project. Ensure you get a signed statement from the existing contractor that his payments have been honored so that if he decides to put a mechanics lien on your property out of spite you have proof its been dissolved.