Hey everyone, I'm located in Colorado and recently hired a contractor for some structural work on my front porch with a signed quote of about $3,700 for labor (materials were to be handled separately). The contract specified tasks such as removing gutters, building temporary roof support structures, digging and pouring footers for posts, and painting. They came prepared, having seen detailed photos I provided before starting the job.
However, once they arrived, they claimed that concrete pouring wasn't necessary and that the job would be simpler than expected. Unfortunately, I didn't ask for a revised quote, thinking the initial price would remain reasonable. In the end, they only completed about 2 out of 7 tasks from the original agreement, yet billed me nearly the full amount. After some back-and-forth, they offered a $600 discount, bringing the bill down to $3,040 for 8 hours of labor with 2 workers. They argue the original quote was a mistake and that it should have been much higher, but that number was the deciding factor for me to move forward with their service.
Now, I'm stuck—here are my main concerns:
1. Do I have to pay the full amount when so much of the work was not completed?
2. Could they take legal action against me or send me to collections if I refuse to pay the full bill?
3. Should I just pay this amount to avoid any hassle?
3 Answers
Honestly, I’d push back. If they won't adjust the bill, insist they finish the project as originally planned. If they made a mistake in estimating, that’s on them. It's fair to hold them to the signed agreement they gave you!
If the contractor didn’t complete the agreed-upon work, you shouldn’t feel obligated to pay the full amount. It sounds like they underestimated the job. Just be clear with them about your expectations. My take is, if the contract isn’t fulfilled, why should you pay? Plus, not doing the footers as discussed seems unprofessional.
Check your proposal carefully. It mentions that estimates may change, but if there's no signed change order to modify the scope, the original deal stands. If they haven't completed the work as promised, you may not need to pay them anything. Stay firm!
Agreed! And if they threaten legal action, remind them that without a legal grounding, they may not have a case.
Absolutely! If they didn't fulfill the contract, you’re not responsible for the full payment. The concrete and footers were a key part of the job!