Electrician Possiblly Walking Off The Job

[James Sanluc]

Hey guys I'm a new BP member but I have been reading and lurking around the forums for sometime.

Ok, so I feel I'm sort of in a stressful situation. In short, I have a family member that has been working on the electrical in my house.

The house is really important to me mainly because I pulled equity from for the various rehabs and its all that I have left from my Dad passing away last Thanksgiving.

The general scope of work is a complete rewire and I do trust him, as I have seen some of his past work for others.

However, I feel that he may just walk off the job because he wanted me to pay him for more money for job that is not yet completed.

I have already paid him about 75% of the funds, not to mention me procuring all of the material.

That said, the only components really left put all the breakers into the new panel, wiring smoke alarms, and some outside lighting.

I just dont know what to do because, no permits were pulled for this. I feel I was just under stressful time after my Dad passed that I just wanted to get the job rolling.

With the above in mind, what would you do? Would anyone be willing to provide me contractor that could finish this job? The house is in Philadelphia.

I feel so dumb for trusting family and not getting permit..sigh.... but I wont make these mistakes again.

[Joe P.]

Did you have an agreement on the payment schedule before hand? I believe that's the basis of reality/expectation that needs to be cemented.

I would never provide more than 25% up front. I usually shoot for 10% and materials.

I just had an electrician help me in Gloucester City, NJ - I paid for all materials up front and since he knows my PM, the full payment was due on confirmation of everything working.