Builder on the news

OkeeDon · Dec 5, 2003

The city where I currently live is one of the fastest growing cities. In the 31 years I've lived here, the population has gone from 312 to well over 100,000, and growth is speeding up. The city's economy is tied to growth.

Obviously, we could not tolerate activities like Paul's builder -- most of the people choosing contractors are strangers to the area and have no way to judge. So, about 20 years ago, the first builder was thrown in jail for offenses very similar to the ones described. Several others have been similarly jailed. All are also responsible' for restitution, although it's unlikely anyone will recover much regardless of whether the offenders are jailed or not.

Result? Very, very few offenses by builders. Sure, there are still delays from time to time, and some people continue to think their builder didn't do the best job, but nothing serious, fraud is way down, and people are not losing their entire investment. The State Attorney's office is quick to jump on any potential new cases, and the local Builder's Association makes sure that any new builders understand what will happen.

That's not to say it won't happen again, but then, another so-called builder will go to jail. By far, the majority of them do a very good job.

s1120 · Dec 5, 2003

well as far as the leins, they are trying to. Good news is that they only have 4 months to do it, and thats over. The bad news??? When a trade takes out a lean in NY, they can give ANY stop work date. They do not need any doctumantion. Nothing the owner can do, but get a lawer to fight them. The laws in NY are REAL bad. The builder just goes bankrupt, and the homeowner has to pay for the house twice.

s1120 · Dec 5, 2003

That sounds like criminal activity to me. You can't defraud people like that and expect bankruptcy to make it go away.


Nothing would make me happyer then to see them go to jail.

wroughtn_harv · Dec 5, 2003

( There are some subs that tell people that they will not bid on my projects. Interesting, I don’t want them either.)

It's funny how that works, huh? There's only a couple of builders I'll work for. They're hands on heavily involved do it right types too.

This thing stinks. I feel bad for the subs. I can feel their pain big time. Chances are they were hammered to heck and back on price and then not to even get that sucks big time. Homeowners get my sympathy too. To be paying on a mortage and have almost that whole amount again hanging on the deed is unfair to both parties, subs and homeowners.

Chances are the builder will belly up and then come back as a super for awhile. Then when it all seems to have been forgotten he'll be back in business with the big pickemup and selling bull to subs and homeowners all over again.

Here in Texas we don't have a state contractor's license board. It's a tough thing to have to deal with but eventually it's the best for all involved. Regulation protects legitimate builders and tradesmen along with the homeowner.

cowboydoc · Dec 5, 2003

Not sure why you guys think this is so criminal. It's pretty typical for this to happen in healthcare every single day. We either get bankruptcy notices from patients or that our claim was denied by insurance for some reason and then the patient never pays every single day.

It's a big reason why healthcare is so expensive. It's not uncommon for a hospital to operate on a 30% payment scale. Meaning only 30% of bills get paid. We run about 60% collections. Alot is written off by insurance companies or denials and the rest is simply patients that don't pay. Alot of the time it isn't even for a large amount. We have many bills under $100 that patients won't pay.

Chuck52 · Dec 5, 2003

Richard,

You ought to go repo their joints!

Chuck

CTyler · Dec 5, 2003

Taking money, a deposit for example, keeping it and then filing bankruptcy is fraud. Last time I checked this was a criminal offence.

kevincook · Dec 5, 2003

Paul,

Just curious, when you built your house did you have an attorney representing you? If so, they are probably negligent and you may be able to pursue them for any losses.

When we built our house our attorney reviewed the contract before closing on our construction loan. He insisted that all the subs signed "something" that indicated they had been paid by the contractor prior to the contractor receiving the draw from the bank. The bank actually paid the main supplier of the building materials directly. This was all to avoid having a contractor say he never got paid and putting a lien on the property.

Good Luck,
Kevin

kevincook · Dec 5, 2003

Cowboydoc,

Getting only 30-60% of what is owed you is just ridiculous.....I couldn't stand that if it was me. There are too many people that think healthcare is a RIGHT and not something that needs to be earned.

I'm all for having the best healthcare in the world but if I can't afford to see a doctor I wouldn't expect someone else to pay for it for me. People that have no ability to earn a living are an exception but for the rest of us: stop driving a $30,000 SUV and pay your doctor.

Bird · Dec 5, 2003

( get bankruptcy notices from patients )

I can sure believe that. We have a bunch of doctors doin' their darndedst to bankrupt us right now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif