steel building - builder welched out and disappeared

[Soundguy]

to the OP.. is their a building permit already issued? if so.. depending on your local.. it may already be ready to expire.. or at least half way there. if there is a permit, and / or you have his contractor license number.. DO contact the authority issuing the permit as well as the CILB.

at this point.. between that and the lawyer.. you need as much leverage as you can get.

soundguy

 

[TGF]

I never pay contractor till the job is done. I will pay for materials though.

 

[hokiebird]

Soundguy and TGF -
Never received word on building permit being issued, and never received any drawings or plans. This was another area where I believed what he said over the phone, but then he never got anything done. The money I did give him was for materials - with the balance to be paid after delivery and then a payment schedule for labor. So everything looked good to me up front. But in this case I got burned.

I never pay contractor till the job is done. I will pay for materials though.

 

[Soundguy]

at this point I'd try to find out if he is licensed.. and if so.. start working on that angle...

soundguy

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Hopefully you are not out a bunch of money - just imagine if you paid 40% on a 40/30/30 plan - that would have been ugly. Did your contract have a "finish on this date or in breach of contract - clause" or "if you don't finish on this date the deduction will be $___ each day until complete - clause" they are real helpful when talking about construction projects. I'd recommend getting/making an accurate chronological schedule with dates/times/actions - be as specific as possible. I'd send atleast one, two or even several more certified letters to as many addresses as possible. A lawyer can/will get expensive. You can probably handle everything in a small claims court environment. They will want an accurate recollection - they love certified communcation. The outcome might be as simple as liquidate damages by selling the lumber or just call it even. A judgement will feel good but won't get you any money. If it is a wash - go through the motions - let people know he is a POS - then move on. Karma works nearly every time.

Hope things work out!

 

[hokiebird]

Talked to lawyer today. Evidently this builder has not been paying any bills in the last month. I'm not the only one with claims against him. Lawyer told me "X has been in the business for 30-40 years, but lately has been having lots of problems." He said I am in better shape than many because the trailer was abandoned on my property and since it could be salvaged to cover my loss. So now it is on to the process, and finding another builder.

Hopefully you are not out a bunch of money - just imagine if you paid 40% on a 40/30/30 plan - that would have been ugly. Did your contract have a "finish on this date or in breach of contract - clause" or "if you don't finish on this date the deduction will be $___ each day until complete - clause" they are real helpful when talking about construction projects. I'd recommend getting/making an accurate chronological schedule with dates/times/actions - be as specific as possible. I'd send atleast one, two or even several more certified letters to as many addresses as possible. A lawyer can/will get expensive. You can probably handle everything in a small claims court environment. They will want an accurate recollection - they love certified communcation. The outcome might be as simple as liquidate damages by selling the lumber or just call it even. A judgement will feel good but won't get you any money. If it is a wash - go through the motions - let people know he is a POS - then move on. Karma works nearly every time.

Hope things work out!

 

[Ford tractor]

So, I'm guessing that building it yourself is out?

Most post frame buildings are pretty easy to put up.

 

[doall]

get you some buddies together use the supplies on the trailer(after judgement of course) have a barn building, get your hands dirty. Learn something and have fun. And save all the labor money. I hope all works out well for you.

 

[Soundguy]

too bad.. what a pita...

good luck.

soundguy

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We had a local contractor get off track due to gambling and another due to alcohol abuse. I guess in a general way it is a warning to all of us how easy it is to loose our pass successes if we do not personally stay on guard.