About a month and a half ago, I hired a contractor to replace an exterior door and fix another one. I paid 50% upfront, but there wasn't any timeline mentioned in the invoice. Every time I ask for when they can start, I get vague replies like 'I'll touch base Monday,' but then they got sick and were out for weeks. I finally got a date scheduled, but on that day, they claimed they ran over a bolt and ruined their tire. They sent me a photo of the bolt, but the metadata showed it was taken in 2022. Now I'm unsure whether to chalk this up to a busy contractor with possible excuses or if I need to consider it a scam and try to get my money back. Is this behavior normal, or does it seem a bit sketchy?
4 Answers
It might be time to ask him for a receipt for the door he bought. If he’s being legit, he should have that. Demand to see the door; if he won’t show you any proof, that’s a huge red flag. If he delivers the door, at least you know he's making progress!
Just a heads-up: this is why you shouldn’t pay fully upfront. Some jobs might require a deposit, but it’s usually best to wait until materials are on hand or the job is started to avoid these issues.
First off, is this contractor licensed and insured? That’s a must. It sounds like your job might be getting pushed back because they're focusing on bigger projects. Personally, I usually don’t require upfront payments for quick jobs unless there are materials involved that need purchasing. If the door was ordered, paying upfront makes sense, but keep an eye on their subsequent excuses!
Yeah, I figured paying upfront was reasonable since he had to get a specific door. I’m trying not to overreact, but it’s hard not to feel suspicious!
Classic contractor excuses right there! I was half-expecting to hear about a truck breaking down too. I've caught a contractor trying the old 'item on backorder' trick, only to find out they canceled my order. If you can, check in on the materials directly with the supplier; it might give you a clearer picture!
Haha, good to know these excuses are typical. I just want to get this done without too much hassle!
Definitely learning that the hard way. Just wanted to support him getting the materials!