Hey everyone, I could really use some insight on an issue with a recent home remodel. We just wrapped up a project with our contractor, and during the build, they installed two bathroom fixtures too close together, which isn't to code and creates a safety risk for my kids. When I pointed this out, the contractor agreed to make adjustments, but now he's saying we'll be charged for that extra day of work. At the time, he didn't mention any additional costs, and we assumed the changes were necessary for safety. I trust my contractor to ensure things are built correctly, so it's frustrating to be told that I might have to cover these costs. Furthermore, he's also billing us for several change orders that he claims weren't discussed before they were done. Is this standard practice? How do I handle this situation? Should I just pay up? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You definitely shouldn't have to pay for that. A proper contractor would have stopped work and gotten a signed change order before proceeding. It’s their job to make sure everything is built to code, and if they didn’t do that initially, it falls on them, not you. Getting billed for extra work after the fact just isn’t right.
Before digging into payments, check if your contract has a Changes Clause and how it's worded. If you verbally agreed to changes without a signed order, you might be on the hook. It’s tricky, especially if the clause favors the contractor. Definitely review your contract first!
Thanks for that tip! I will check the contract carefully. Is it common for costs to not be discussed immediately at the time of verbal agreements?
Exactly! It sounds like the contractor dropped the ball by not communicating properly and bypassing the needed steps. Make sure you have a good look at your contract to see how this should be handled.