Do I demand a bill?
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
September 18, 2007 9:28am CST
Hree's the deal, we hired a contractor to do work on our house. We signed a contract with an estimate and work began. They tore the stone of the corner of my house, said they could replace it with no problem. Well turns out they can't and after chasing this guy around for a week (this was 3 weeks ago) he said they couldn't find matching stone. Should have researched it before he started I think. Anyway, we found stone to match( he must not have looked too hard) and called and told him we would do it ourself and we would pay for all the work that was done. He called back and said we would have our final bill in a few days. Well, it's been two weeks since then, we have called and left several messages with the contractor, the companies project manager, etc..and have heard nothing back. Do we pursue trying to get a bill? We paid 25% of the estimate up front. I just don't want to get hit with something later down the road...
1 person likes this
6 responses
@momwatittude (542)
• United States
18 Sep 07
I always protect yourself first. If I were you I would demand your bill immediately within 15 days of the receipt of your letter. in your letter I would state something to the effect that if the bill is not recieved within the time alloted that any and all legal obligations to contract with their bussiness will be forfeited. Also I know you told them that you would take care of the damage they done to your house but in all reality it is their responsibilty to take care of it at their own expence for their mistake. When you mail the letter please send it certified mail so they cannot say that they never recieved the letter. Check wiht your states cial court to make sure that a letter like that is civaly leagal in your state. Generaly speaking in most states it is but just to be on the safe side check all your bases.
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@soccermom (3198)
• United States
18 Sep 07
The stone had to come off to fix the problem with the house anyway, so they didn't damage anything. I was a little peeved that they didn't make sure they had replacement stone, but it worked out okay because we found it and did it ourselves cheaper. I just don't know if I have to argue to get a bill or if I just should leave it alone.
1 person likes this
@momwatittude (542)
• United States
19 Sep 07
ok I understand that but you signed a legal and binding contract with them if you do not address this it could bite you later they could place it on your credit report, have a court judgment against you, and also not limited to putting a lean on your property without notifying you. As long as they can show proof of the bill they can do these things without notification to you in the majority of states. I learned the hardway about these things. and there was nothing I could do i was not givin a final bill so I left it alone after about a year my wages were attached, I wasn't notified till after the fact, there is a court judgement on my crit report, I was not notified about the court filing either, and they were able to put a lean against my property untill it was paid in full. I then found out that leagaly they didnt not have to tell me.
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@soccermom (3198)
• United States
19 Sep 07
You do have a point on that one. I guess I'll try to call again today, unfortunately I have no time to go there in person. It just irritates me that I have to chase them down to find out if I owe anything.
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@rhinoboy (2129)
•
18 Sep 07
I think that the fair thing to do is pay the remaining 75% of the estimate. If you have to pay someone else for the stonework that was damaged, deduct that from the payment.
Provided you didn't get them to do anything that was not included in the original estimate, they have no come-back.
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@soccermom (3198)
• United States
18 Sep 07
Let me clarify myself here. The estimate to fix the water damage to the inside of the house and do the required outside stone work (they never damaged anything, the stone had to come off to fix damage)was about $1200. We paid them $300. The contractor did the inside job (hubby and dad are studding, drywalling, etc...themselves)according to the estimate the inside work would be apporximately $500, but we had spoke to him while this was going on and the contractor said as far as the inside went they were running under budget. They never replaced or repaired the stonework because they said last minute they couldn't find matching stone, so by my estimate we possibly owe $200. But they won't answer my request for a bill. I'm not writing a check to them until I have a definate amount, if I have to write one at all. So do I continue to call and ask for a bill?
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@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
18 Sep 07
I would consider the 25% paid in full. They broke the contract, not you. I am not sure that they should even deserve that. I would not worry about it too much. I might send a notarized letter to them telling them that I was unhappy, and that they did not finish the job and you do not expect to get any bill. I would also include the fact that you have tried several times to contact them and get answers. Send them the letter and keep a copy as proof that you have written it, just in case.
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@soccermom (3198)
• United States
18 Sep 07
That's what I'm wondering also, was the 25% we gave them enough to cover the work they did do, and that's why we haven't heard anything? Still, a call would be nice, I have enough to worry about. Scary part is this contractor was referred by an attorney and a guy that works for the BBB.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Sep 07
Of course they should have made sure they had everything necessary to complete the job. Did they do any work? What did you get done for 25% you paid? If there was nothing done I would demand my money back and a cancellation, in writing, of the contract. If they do not do this then I would sue them.
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@soccermom (3198)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I'm going to try to explain this. We have a reverse exposed bi level. We had a flood, and there was damage, the wood frame had actually come apart from the concrete foundation in the corner of our house. They fixed the inside corner, and had to take the stone off the outside to get to it. The portion ffor the inside alone was supposed to be around $500, but the guy had told us we were way under budget. I swear there is a bullseye on my head that says "Cause me stress". Thank godfor hubby, he bought us tickets to see Rodney Carrington(the comedien) Saturday night and the kids will be gone so I can blow off some steam. I see a date with Jose Cuervo in my future!!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Sep 07
It seems you've done all you can do unless you want to persue it further and take them to court. Keep a detailed record of all the calls you've made to them and what they've said to you for it's legally held in court if you ever need to take it that far. Other than that, it may be a thing where you cut your losses and move on? It depends on what you want to do.
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