Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Should I feel guilty?

As you know we got the attic drywalled, taped and sanded; plus we got our bedroom ceiling repaired.  Anyhow they worked 9am until 4pm, Tuesday through Thursday, three guys.  On the Friday it was 9am until 2pm, 2 guys and then on the following Tuesday it was 9am until 11:30am, two guys.

One of the jobs was to drywall the corner of the hip walls, which they haven't done yet.  After chasing them about this, I finally got an answer from them saying they will do that job when they come to do the basement.  Then when we had a look at the attic, they have missed sanding some of it, and there is a ridge, which is noticeable even in the daylight.  So no doubt when I paint it, it will stand out like a sore thumb.

So I called the boss and he finally came around on Monday and had a look at the attic.  As he was looking at it, he said words to the effect that he hasn't made a cent on this job, infact he's lost money.  Again he will get them to fix the problem when they come back for the basement.

I haven't paid for this job yet, and don't think I should until it's completed..........although I did suggest to dh that maybe I should pay 75% and keep the 25% back until the job is completed.  Also it's not my fault they took as long as they did to complete it; thank goodness they quoted us on this job and the basement.

Should I be feeling guilty about them not making any money, and should I pay for the drywalling?  I haven't received a bill yet.

Did you remember to put your money in your Daily Savings Pot?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

It’s only a drip, right? Wrong. One drip per second can add up to 200 gallons per month. So fixing that leaky faucet is definitely worth it, especially if it’s hot water.

18 comments:

MyBulletinBoard said...

They don't sound very professional in their quotes. They should know what it takes to do the job. And what you should pay and when and how you should pay it should have been spelled out from the start as part of the quote. Don't feel sorry for them. If there are expenses that were not agreed upon for additional work, that's another story. You are not responsible for their poor quality work. The deal may be, do you pay them off for what has been finished correctly and and get someone else to do the rest right, or do they finish it and do the job they agreed to do. Is there any way your husband could handle the money matters with this guy? The guy may be playing on your sympathies. Bet he wouldn't have pulled that with your husband. Just a few thoughts. Anyway, you don't owe people money for doing a job poorly. That's not what you were hiring them to do. Do you have anything that resembles a county building society there??

Liz, Republic of Texas

Sandra said...

Hi, I am really new to your blog and I absolutely loved Monday's post.
About the work being done in your home: don't pay them anything till the job is done - it's your only leverage. If you feel like you have to pay something, pay the 25%. Once they are payed, they don't care anymore - from personal experience. Our employer pay us at the end of week/month, not at the beginning, right?

bubble said...

no, i wouldnt feel guilty and wouldnt pay them a penny yet! xxx

Kelly Casanova said...

This guy doesn't sound like a professional, speaking to you about such things, it's really not your concern. So, no - you shouldn't feel guilty!

grendelskin said...

You should *not* feel guilty! They contracted a job at a fixed price and if they want to keep working they need to deliver as contracted. Don't pay them more than 50% until the job is done. You have to be really tough dealing with cotnractors, so get your Thick Skin on and give 'em hell. And if they deliver well, tell your friends.

Unknown said...

Absolutely NOT do not feel guilty, it was in poor taste for the boss to even mention that to you. If he lost money it is there fault not yours, he either didn't bid the job correctly or the crew lolly gagged and took too long. Do not pay them a cent until they finish it or you might be stuck with a half done job.

Stephanie V said...

No guilt required! This is not your problem. If they can't give an accurate quote how are you responsible? Actually it sounds like he needs to get some new workers.
Definitely hold payment back until the job is finished. Grr! I feel for you...I hate having to confront these sorts of issues. Good luck!

Kim said...

Definitely not a pro - my brother does this type of work and the usual payment is 50% after the half way mark - so they can pay for materials etc.

He is saying he hasn't made money so that you will feel sorry for him - don't.

If you have not been asked for any money, do not pay yet. Be picky and point out ALL the errors and get them to correct them - so many ppl don't and that is how they can continue to do this.

Patty said...

First off, they should have made sure they quoted you enough to begin with, and I'm sure they did. If they do this for a living they should pretty much be able to tell when looking at a job what it will cost. At least he's not changing the quote as they work, like some do around here. No I wouldn't feel guilty, because IF, he is losing money on your job, I'm sure he's going to make it up on another job. And I wouldn't pay them anything until they are done, otherwise, they may take the 75% and run.

Maude Lynn said...

Don't feel a bit guilty!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I understand where these feelings may be coming from Gill--I had the same type of feelings when we were getting our last house ready to sell. It was also mentioned to us that "they weren't making any money on the job." I really think the truth was, that the people doing the work on our house, just weren't making as much, but I think they made money, and I'm sure this is the case for your work as well. Either way, you contracted for a certain amount to do a job and that's what will be paid when the job is done, and not before....Be tough!! :-)

Beth said...

Don’t feel guilty and DON’T pay all the money until the job is completed!
And unless you know this “boss” personally, how do you know for sure he isn’t making any money? If he’s a pro, he should have given you an accurate quote.
Good luck!

Karine said...

You should absolutely not feel guilty!!! You have every right to withhold payment until they have completed the job, otherwise what's to keep them from dawdling!

O. the expat mom said...

Oh, Gill, they are all the same. I had so many contractors walking in and out this house we're renting and I saw it all. Do NOT feel guilty. Think about it. How would you approach any kind of work you promise to do? You would do it right! They should, too. They should first do a good job, then get their money. (sorry, I go a bit carried away when I hear about this kind of stuff)

DeniseinVA said...

No, I don't think you should feel guilty either. No, I don't think this would have been said to your husband. We had some painters in once, recommended by a neighbor of ours. The main guy who did her house was great but towards the end of the job he hired two younger ones to pull up the slack. They were terrible and when I heard one of them say to the other that he was so sick of painting I knew we were going to have problems. They did a shoddy job and I couldn't get the owner to come back and take a look because he was always 'too busy' and he gave me a long sob story. I learned a few lessons during that whole experience.

QuiltedSimple said...

DON'T feel guilty - he could have quoted you a higher price, or cracked the whip on his employees and made sure it was done correctly. And don't let them sucker you into paying more than the quote! This was his and his crew's mistake, not yours
kris

The Witch said...

Have been down this road before and I wouldn't pay them a cent till the job is completed. Even after it is completed I'd still wait 30 days till paying.
I bet at the end of each day you are left cleaning up after them.
Hold out because your time is just as valuable.

Anonymous said...

I'm with everyone here: don't feel guilty! Why should you? I mean, they should set their prices so that they can make money, no? And they should also complete the work. I mean, you can't be responsible for their poor planning!

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