I hired a contractor I've trusted in the past, but this tile job has taken way longer than expected due to a subcontractor's poor performance. I didn't get a detailed estimate beforehand, which I regret, but the contractor usually gives a ballpark figure based on one or two days of work. The subcontractor, however, worked slowly and made multiple mistakes that had me running out to buy extra materials, increasing costs beyond what I planned. Now, the contractor wants to offer just one free day's work as compensation. Given that the job took 11 days total for 80 sq ft of tile, I'm wondering how to negotiate a fair outcome without shortchanging the subcontractor. Any advice on this or insights on what a job like this should reasonably cost?
3 Answers
I say you should push for them to deduct the extra costs due to mistakes made. If the extra labor amounted to about a day's worth, negotiate that; if it's more, discuss that openly. You shouldn't have to pay for materials that went to waste because of this subcontractor's shortcomings. It's all about standing your ground and ensuring you're not overcharged for someone else's errors!
"Look, we agreed on a price for the job, and that's what I've budgeted. If it took longer than anticipated, that's not my issue. I shouldn’t be responsible for paying extra due to delays that were out of my control." That's a solid way to express your position, but keep in mind that it might be a bit tricky since you didn't have a fixed price beforehand.
You should definitely have an open conversation with your contractor about what feels fair. It’s reasonable to ask him how he thinks the job duration stacks up against what was originally estimated. Make it clear you’re not trying to undercut anyone’s pay, but you shouldn’t be left holding the bag for someone else's mistakes. Emphasize that you trusted his judgment and expected a level of quality in his choices. You could even suggest calculating costs based on square footage instead of the days worked, which might be more reflective of the work done.