irresponsible contractor

[hithere]

I needed to repair my roof and I talked to one guy ( looks like he owns his company,but one person operated independent welding co.) and he suggested the cost would be $1,200 to finish the work and asked me deposit.
So, I gave him $200 cash and he wrote "Paid $200 cash , balance $1,000...bra, bra, bra..." in his paper(invoice) and he signed and gave it to me. This was 2 weeks ago, he said he could start and finish one day at 1/15/06, but since I met him two weeks ago, he never showed up and he never called me, I called many times all this week, but no answered from his cell phone, his voice mail box already full and no chance to left a vmx....
So, I stopped by his office(warehouse) in VA, 70 mins driving from here last Thursday, but he was not in his office, I talked the neighborhood guy who does car repair and he told me the welding guy comes everyday early morning around 7 or 8 am and gone for the day...sometimes comes back late...or not coming again...
so I gave my name and tel # to ask him to talk to this guy...
But still no message from him....

If you were me, what would you do?
I can't wait long time since I have to repair asap.
Can I do "small claim law suit?"

1) I need to know what's his position? wants to do? or gave up?
2) if he gave up, I need to get back my $200 deposit from him and will hire other guy...
3) I can't hire other guy now, because what if he suddenly appear with the material and asked the balance money or at least claims the deposit amount for his pre-worked by his own?

From this experince, I learned that hiring people for the job, really HEADACHE!!

[Boxer]

he suggested the cost would be $1,200 to finish the work and asked me deposit.
So, I gave him $200 cash and he wrote "Paid $200 cash , balance $1,000...bra, bra, bra..." in his paper(invoice) and he signed and gave it to me.

If you can take off the time? "small claim law suit"
Post his name.

[wdbgelaundromat]

I would stake this guys warehouse out and wait for him. If you take him to small claims court it will not be worth the time and effort for $200. Also try contacting him from a different phone as a new customer.

[William]

$200? Move on. You got scammed. Just move on..

[pete f]

hire another guy closer, if and when you catch up with the first one he owes you $200. 70 miles away seems far to me to chase $200.

[Amex]

You could waste your time and make this your lifes mission for $200. Wait for him by the warehouse and mace him and take his wallet.

[Boxer]

hire another guy closer, if and when you catch up with the first one he owes you $200. 70 miles away seems far to me to chase $200.

$200? Move on. You got scammed. Just move on..

That's what the contractor was thinking 70 miles, $200, what a pigeon
Personally I would like to break his knee caps just because I like the Sopranos.
But chalk this one up

Post his company name

[hithere]

That's what the contractor was thinking 70 miles, $200, what a pigeon
Personally I would like to break his knee caps just because I like the Sopranos.
But chalk this one up

Post his company name


he called me today....and he said he will do it soon...

By the way,
Generally speaking, how you guys hire contractor?
how do you prevent my this bad case?
do you also give some deposit?
how can you trust them?
after I experienced a couple of these cases, I can't trust ANYONE....

[Boxer]

Fool.com: When/How to Hire contractors
[Home Center]

http://www.fool.com/homecenter/smart/smart05.htm


If you plan to use the services of a dealer or contractor, take care to choose one with a reputation for honesty and good workmanship. There
are several ways to check on a contractor:

* Consult your local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, or local consumer protection agency.
* Talk with people for whom he has done work.
* Ask to see samples of his work. Pictures are a help; better yet is to go and get an actual tour of a home that he's worked on.
* Ask your lender about him, if you plan to finance the project with a loan.
* Check his place of business to see that he is not a fly-by-night operator.
* Find out, if you can, how he rates with known building-product distributors and wholesale suppliers.
* Ask friends and relatives for names of firms that they could recommend.

Compare Contractor Offers

Before deciding on a contractor, get bids from two or three firms. Make sure that each bid is based on the same specifications and the same grade of materials. If these bids vary widely, find out why.

Many contractors offer package plans that cover the whole transaction. Under such a plan the contractor provides all materials used, takes care of all work involved, and arranges for your loan.

Your contractor can make the loan application for you, but you are the one who must repay the loan, so you should see that the work is done correctly.
Understand What You Sign

The contract that both you and the contractor sign should state clearly the type and extent of improvements to be made and the materials to be used. Before you sign, get the contractor to spell out for you in exact terms:

* How much the entire job will cost you.
* How much interest you will pay on the loan.
* How much you will pay in service charges.
* How many payments you must make to pay off the loan, and how much each of these payments will be.

After the entire job is finished in the manner set forth in your contract, you sign a completion certificate. By signing this paper you certify that you approve of the work and materials, and you authorize the lender to pay the contractor the money you borrowed.
Beware of Fraud

Most dealers and contractors conscientiously try to give their customers service equivalent to the full value of their money. Unfortunately, home improvement rackets do exist. Here are a few common sense rules to follow:

* Never sign a contract with anyone who makes fantastic promises. Reputable dealers are not running giveaway businesses.
* Never consolidate existing loans through a home improvement contractor.
* Never sign a completion certificate until all the work called for in the contract has been completed to your satisfaction. Be careful not to sign a completion certificate along with a sales order.
* Proceed cautiously when the lender or contractor demands a lien on your property. Most lenders do not require a lien if the loan amount is less than $7,500.

Again, most repairpersons are honest professionals who appreciate the value of a happy customer. They do good work at a fair price. When they make mistakes, it's often just that... a mistake. When this happens, an honest repairperson should guarantee his or her work and correct it.

The best way to avoid getting mired in unpleasant dealings with an unscrupulous contractor is to see the scam coming and to avoid getting involved in the first place.


10 Contractor-Scam Warning Signs
[Fool.com: Home Center]

http://www.fool.com/homecenter/smart/smart06.htm


Here are a few things to watch for when you first come in contact with contractors.

Warning Sign 1: Scare tactics

"Well, your chimney looks about ready to fall over. If that lands on someone's head -- they're a goner. And you could have one dandy lawsuit."

If a contractor tries to literally "scare up" your business, avoid him. Even if the repair is of an urgent nature, an honest operator will not use gloom and doom to get your business. At most, he or she might simply point out the possible outcome of a neglected repair. For example: "Your roof could develop some leaks within the next year" is a realistic professional judgment. However, "Your roof is about to cave in any minute" is a flagrant scare tactic


Warning Sign 2: The hasty quote on a big job

"I figure $5,800 should do it," says the contractor as he glances at the complicated repair, then quickly scribbles a number on a scrap of paper.

When making a bid for your business, legitimate contractors do not scribble on scraps of paper or offer verbal quotes. They provide detailed written quotes. The exception to this might be a quote given in answer to a casual inquiry or for a very small, basic repair for which there is a standard rate. Otherwise, a repair contractor should thoroughly examine the problem and provide a written breakdown of the cost for labor and parts.


Warning Sign 3: No identification

"Sorry. I forgot my business cards. You can always look us up at our post office box address."

Legitimate contractors present themselves in a professional manner. They have business cards and an established street address -- not a post office box -- where they conduct their business. In an industry of many small independents, that street address might also be their home. That's OK. Self-employed people often work from a home office. What's important is that you know where to locate them if anything goes wrong. Be cautious of anyone who cannot produce identification. They could be transient operators -- people who work over an area, then disappear.


Warning Sign 4: Refusal to provide referrals

"We don't give out customer names. We respect their privacy. You understand, don't you? I'm sure you wouldn't want me to give out your name to strangers."

Avoid contractors who refuse to provide referrals. Legitimate contractors are happy to name satisfied customers. Typically, it is with the customer's permission that his or her name can be used to recommend work to others.


Warning Sign 5: Pressure tactics

"You'll have to sign up now. The manufacturer says the prices are going up right away."

Pressure tactics for an immediate decision are intended to prevent you from shopping around or finding out that the deal is bad before it's too late. Be very cautious about a price that is "so good that it can only be offered today." Legitimate contractors offer quotes that are valid for a specific time period -- usually 30 days. They will not insist on an immediate decision. They understand that a large expense requires some decision-making on your part.


Warning Sign 6: In the neighborhood

"I've just resurfaced your neighbor's driveway and I've got materials left over to do yours. Looks like it needs work soon. I'll give you a really good deal."

This and other "we're in the neighborhood" lines are a warning. First, a legitimate contractor does not overbuy materials for a job and expect to unload them on the job site's neighbor. Second, a legitimate contractor will not take on a job from the perspective of getting rid of excess materials. He or she will assess each job based upon its individual needs.

It may be legitimate for the contractor to contact you "since we're in the neighborhood." If that is the case, then you'll want to speak to your neighbors to find out the quality of the work. You'll likely not want to plunge in at that very moment, in any event.


Warning Sign 7: Up-front

"That's gonna involve a lot of materials. I'll have to ask you to pay me now."

Requests for up-front payment before work begins should trigger a warning bell. Many people pay up front for work and then never see the contractor again. You should pay in advance of work only when it is a large job, you have already properly screened the contractor (checked references, etc.), and you have a proper contract. Upon signing the contract you might pay a percentage of the total amount -- usually around 30%.


Warning Sign 8: Refusal to provide a written guarantee

"If anything goes wrong, just call me. You have my word."

No matter how sincere the assurance might sound, never accept a verbal guarantee. If anything really goes wrong, you'll quickly find out how worthless words can be. Legitimate contractors provide written guarantees that specify what is covered and for how long.


Warning Sign 9: Under the table deals

"I can give you a good deal for cash."

Under the table cash deals usually mean that the contractor is not paying taxes, and therefore can cut his or her price. The catch is that you will have no paper record of the work -- no receipt and no written guarantee. If a problem occurs, you'll have no recourse. Legitimate contractors do not indulge in this kind of practice.


Warning Sign 10: Referral selling

"There's a big rebate for you if you refer customers to us." Or: "You'll get a special discounted price if we can use your home as a model to show off our work. We'll just put a sign on the front yard."

If a contractor or "company representative" offers to give you a discount or rebate to refer customers or become a "model" home, be cautious. At best, this is a marketing gimmick. At its worst, it's an outright scam. If you shop around and compare prices for the same work, you can find that the discounted price is the same as -- or even higher than -- regularly priced work.

Finally, here's an eleventh tip, for free: Use your common sense to detect warning signs. Trust your instincts!