I've hired a contractor in Atlanta to remodel my bathroom from a tub/shower combo to a walk-in tiled shower. I've been dealing with delays for over a month and I'm trying to understand if I'm just unlucky or if the contractor is being unprofessional. Here's what has happened so far:
- Initially, he said he had a tight schedule but would try to fit me in. Then he mentioned his tile guy was busy, and he would start the following Tuesday.
- That Tuesday came and went, and he claimed he got COVID, which caused another delay. I was sympathetic and wished him well.
- Later, he said he got pneumonia, and again, I was understanding. We rescheduled, and he confirmed he'd start the next Tuesday to avoid further delays.
- However, the night before, he texted me saying his 2-year-old had an accident and they were in the ER. He offered either a full refund or to start again in 5–7 days. I opted for the refund.
- But then he insisted he wanted to make it right and offered to complete the job for just the deposit I already paid, with no additional charges, if I gave him one last chance to start.
Now I'm wondering if he's genuinely having a run of bad luck or if I'm dealing with someone who is stalling for reasons that aren't straightforward. I have screenshots of all our texts and every time he's supposed to start, there's a new excuse. I'd love to hear what others think, especially if you've experienced something similar with your contractors.
3 Answers
It sounds like you might be getting taken for a ride here. Based on what you’ve shared, getting your deposit back seems like the best move. If he starts up again, you could end up with a half-done bathroom and more excuses. Just remember, if it feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut and cut your losses before it gets worse.
This isn’t uncommon with contractors. Sometimes they overextend themselves, and your deposit may have already been spent on another job. I would ask him for that deposit back since nothing has even started. If he’s genuine about wanting to make it right, he should have no issue returning it. If he’s not, that will speak volumes about his professionalism.
Honestly, I would really push for your refund. The longer you wait, the more risk you have of him just disappearing with your money. Plus, remodels are usually not quick; if he finally shows up and then has another 'bad luck' episode, your bathroom could be unusable for weeks. Definitely check if he’s licensed and insured as well.