MaryMary
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Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 13, 2015 15:16:29 GMT
We are having our wood floors refinished so that we can sell the house. The guy that is doing the floors has done a lot of painting and other projects for us in the past, he told us that he could refinish the floors, but they are terrible. I don't think that he can do a better job, and we are on a strict deadline. I paid him a portion of the money upfront, do I owe him anything at this point? Or can I just say, "sorry. We are not going to give you another chance."
The floors are terrible. They look like they've been painted rather than stained. Ack! I'm so stressed out. I am so very bad at confrontation.
It's okay if I fire him, right? I don't owe him anything, do I?
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 8:24:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 15:25:51 GMT
I'm sure that someone else will have good advice, but as someone who also hates confrontation, I feel your pain!
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 8:24:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 15:30:29 GMT
Did he finish the project, just badly? Or is he in the middle? Is he out the cost of supplies or did you pay for those separately? If you hired him for $x and he did complete the job (even badly), I think you owe him the full amount or you need to ask him to reduce the amount since it is a bad job and you are going to have to have it redone. It is possible that if you dont' pay the full amount that he might be able to put a contractor's lien on your home that you would have to pay off before a sale would go through.
I know it sucks to have to pay the full amount for a bad job, but I am not sure you have much alternative unless he too agrees it was bad and/or unfinished.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 8:24:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 15:33:13 GMT
You can fire him, and you should. As far as owing him anything else... That's not clear. Is there a written contract? What does it say about unsatisfactory work? If there's not a written contract with a stipulation that gives you an out in this situation, you could find yourself with a lien against your house for unpaid work and that would be a total PITA when you are trying to sell.
I would have a sit-down with him and tell him what a great job he's done on other jobs for you and you've enjoyed working together, but clearly this wasn't the right job for him. Emphasize your deadline and that in order for you to get the whole house - not just the floors - ready for sale, you really have to go with floor specialists at this point. Tell him you feel like you've compensated him fairly for the work done and see what he says. And get whatever the outcome is in writing.
I wouldn't *want* to pay him anymore, but contractors have the ability to jack up the sale of a house, so I wouldn't die on this hill. If he pushed the issue, I'd just pay him and move on.
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Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 13, 2015 15:33:53 GMT
Be done with it and the sooner the better. Let him know that you were happy with his work in the past but this time it isn't working out and you aren't pleased with the outcome. The sooner the better and let him know you wish it had turned out differently but at this point you need to move on and get the job finished.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 8:24:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 15:47:24 GMT
You can fire him, and you should. As far as owing him anything else... That's not clear. Is there a written contract? What does it say about unsatisfactory work? If there's not a written contract with a stipulation that gives you an out in this situation, you could find yourself with a lien against your house for unpaid work and that would be a total PITA when you are trying to sell. I would have a sit-down with him and tell him what a great job he's done on other jobs for you and you've enjoyed working together, but clearly this wasn't the right job for him. Emphasize your deadline and that in order for you to get the whole house - not just the floors - ready for sale, you really have to go with floor specialists at this point. Tell him you feel like you've compensated him fairly for the work done and see what he says. And get whatever the outcome is in writing. I wouldn't *want* to pay him anymore, but contractors have the ability to jack up the sale of a house, so I wouldn't die on this hill. If he pushed the issue, I'd just pay him and move on. I agree with busypea's post, especially the bolded part. I had to fire a painter mid-way thru painting our house. We'd used the guy several different times, and the last time he just sucked. He wasn't showing up when he said he would, when he did get here, he'd set up and go outside for a smoke break, and he then smoked every 15 minutes. And, I'd swear the guy was drinking/drunk. He was paid a "daily" rate, and messed up one bedroom so bad, it took him 2 1/2 days for that room alone. When he was packing up that day, and the entire painting job wasn't done when it was supposed to be, he wanted me to agree to pay him for several days the next week, I told him...no, I was done. He had to pick up extra paint, which I paid him for and I kept. I had to get another painter in here to finish what he started, and fix what he messed up. It's not worth it...be done with the guy.
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loco coco
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Jun 26, 2014 16:15:45 GMT
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Post by loco coco on Aug 13, 2015 15:47:46 GMT
that sucks! We renovated our house and the only problem I had with contractors was the floor, it did come to a confrontation but Im glad I stood my ground as the work was awful. I showed them exactly what I wanted, stayed home to watch the progress, and told them they wouldnt get the 2nd 1/2 until its right. I will say some contractors dont like finishing an already started or messed up job, they might jack up the price. Good luck, let us know what you decide
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Post by micpea on Aug 13, 2015 15:50:54 GMT
We are having our wood floors refinished so that we can sell the house. The guy that is doing the floors has done a lot of painting and other projects for us in the past, he told us that he could refinish the floors, but they are terrible. I don't think that he can do a better job, and we are on a strict deadline. I paid him a portion of the money upfront, do I owe him anything at this point? Or can I just say, "sorry. We are not going to give you another chance." The floors are terrible. They look like they've been painted rather than stained. Ack! I'm so stressed out. I am so very bad at confrontarion. It's okay if I fire him, right? I don't owe him anything, do I? Tell me you are not in the Kansas City area & this guys name is Mike! He used black sharpies to fill in gaps on already stained & sealed floors in my house. FIRE HIM!! cut your losses early & save your stress for something else.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 13, 2015 15:54:51 GMT
If he finished the job, I think you have to pay him....
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MaryMary
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Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 13, 2015 15:56:52 GMT
Phew! Big breath. I fired him and gave him a couple hundred to cover expenses. Now I have to find someone to fix this mess.
Ugh, I didn't sleep at all last night and just need to have a good cry.
Thanks for your advice and help.
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Post by jumperhop on Aug 13, 2015 15:58:49 GMT
If he finished the job, I think you have to pay him.... Not if he did a crappy job and or ruined the floors. Sorry Mary I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Jen
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MaryMary
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 13, 2015 16:00:19 GMT
He hadn't finished, he used a different stain than I asked for, didn't sand enough, didn't fill gouges like he said he would, didn't wipe off the dark stain... I showed him all the areas that sucked and he didn't really have any defense.
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Post by jumperhop on Aug 13, 2015 16:51:53 GMT
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peabrain
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Jun 25, 2014 22:18:04 GMT
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Post by peabrain on Aug 13, 2015 17:11:19 GMT
Am I the only one who wants to see pictures of said floors? Really? Standard procedure? Crickets?
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 13, 2015 17:14:28 GMT
Good for you - sorry you have to deal with this, but better to bite the bullet and move on.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 13, 2015 17:31:32 GMT
Be done with it and the sooner the better. Let him know that you were happy with his work in the past but this time it isn't working out and you aren't pleased with the outcome. The sooner the better and let him know you wish it had turned out differently but at this point you need to move on and get the job finished. I agree, BUT, you must pay him. You can attempt to negotiate a reduction in his fee, but if he finished the project, you need to pay him.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 13, 2015 17:37:47 GMT
cut your losses and fire him. Explain to him that he has been paid for the portion he has done but it's going to cost you more money to fix or finish his work.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 8:24:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 17:43:44 GMT
Phew! Big breath. I fired him and gave him a couple hundred to cover expenses. Now I have to find someone to fix this mess. Ugh, I didn't sleep at all last night and just need to have a good cry. Thanks for your advice and help. If you ended up paying less than what was previously agreed to, please protect yourself and get the new agreement in writing. When you are just about to sell the house, he really could cause problems for you.
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Aug 13, 2015 17:54:56 GMT
Document document document! Pics of everything. I don't suppose you videotaped the walk-thru in which you pointed out his mistakes and let him defend himself did you? It's not too late to CYA just in case. You never know, he may change his mind about taking what you've given him, especially if he knows you are selling. I hear a contractor's lien is a bear to fight. For the repair work, everything in writing, including a detailed statement by the new person on what remedies they were forced to make and why. You do not want this to became "he said, she said."
I know it's crazy stressful now, but I hope someday soon you'll be so happy in a new place that this will just be a blip in your adventure.
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Post by Lexica on Aug 13, 2015 19:37:16 GMT
Wait. You're selling Pemberley? I so enjoyed your blog when you had it, showing all the renovations you were doing. Are you selling due to leaving the area, or are you just tired of the house?
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sharlag
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Posts: 6,580
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 13, 2015 19:56:58 GMT
Wait. You're selling Pemberley? I so enjoyed your blog when you had it, showing all the renovations you were doing. Are you selling due to leaving the area, or are you just tired of the house? Yes, and are you aware that this disrupts the image that millions of your blog readers have of you and your family? We'll likely need therapy.
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Post by annabella on Aug 13, 2015 20:21:38 GMT
He hadn't finished, he used a different stain than I asked for, didn't sand enough, didn't fill gouges like he said he would, didn't wipe off the dark stain... I showed him all the areas that sucked and he didn't really have any defense. You gave him an extra couple hundred for that? He could have deducted the expenses from his wages.
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Post by icedcoffee14 on Aug 13, 2015 20:27:41 GMT
I would not pay the remainder unless he finished the job to your satisfaction or at least what was listed in the contract. I dealt with a terrible stain job on my 2 new decks this past January. They were from the same stain bucket but one was the right color and the other was about 5 shades darker and streaked. I did not pay until it was fixed. I am currently dealing with a paint job on bedroom where they goofed on the quote and only did 2 coats instead of the 3 they needed for this particular bedroom (was painted a dark green going to a light aqua blue) and when it dried and I got home I can still see spots and streaks of the old paint showing thru. I have not paid for that job yet. They are due to be back out here Saturday morning with extra paint. They did an amazing job in the first bedroom 2 weeks earlier that I gladly paid for at completion.
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MaryMary
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 13, 2015 20:31:07 GMT
We are selling Pemberley, yes. I know, I know, I never thought it would happen either. Turns out sometimes dreamhouses aren't as dreamy in reality. It's in the wrong school district, and just too much space for us. I love this house but I'm ready to move on.
Sorry about the resulting therapy.
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~Lauren~
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Jun 26, 2014 3:33:18 GMT
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Post by ~Lauren~ on Aug 13, 2015 20:44:49 GMT
You're selling Pemberley? I thought that was your dream house
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Post by Lexica on Aug 13, 2015 20:53:23 GMT
We are selling Pemberley, yes. I know, I know, I never thought it would happen either. Turns out sometimes dreamhouses aren't as dreamy in reality. It's in the wrong school district, and just too much space for us. I love this house but I'm ready to move on. Sorry about the resulting therapy. I understand. I'm beginning the task of getting rid of many things in preparation to sell my house in the next year or so. Also much more space than I need or have the energy to keep up. I'm not sure where I will be moving to, but I'm ready to leave Southern California. Have you found your new home yet?
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MaryMary
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 13, 2015 20:58:09 GMT
We have a contingent offer on a tiny little 1930s farmhouse, but we have to sell this place first in the next 2.5 months and this screwed up flooring situation is putting us way behind schedule so I'm FREAKING OUT.
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Nicole in TX
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Jun 26, 2014 2:00:21 GMT
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Post by Nicole in TX on Aug 13, 2015 22:53:51 GMT
We have a contingent offer on a tiny little 1930s farmhouse, but we have to sell this place first in the next 2.5 months and this screwed up flooring situation is putting us way behind schedule so I'm FREAKING OUT. It will all work out, MaryMary !And nice job growing a pair and firing the dude! It sounds like he was in over his head and might have been relieved.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Aug 14, 2015 1:10:06 GMT
At the very minimum, you need to get a lien release from the guy.
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Kerri W
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Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Aug 14, 2015 1:20:37 GMT
I'm going to third @busypea and moosedogtoo. Please, please protect yourself. It doesn't take much for a contractor to put a mechanic's lien on your home.
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