I've been a homeowner for two years now, and while I handle most small projects myself, I recently hired a contractor for a $30,000 bathroom remodel. I paid him 50% upfront, and the work began last week. The quality seems great, but I'm really worried about his pace and professionalism. He's only worked a full day once last week, often arriving late and leaving early, and even skipped a day altogether. I realize I didn't clearly state that I expected him to work full days, but considering this is my only bathroom, it's tough for me to schedule everything around it. He's coming back tomorrow, and I want to talk to him about my concerns regarding his pace. Can anyone with contractor experience advice me on how to approach this conversation? Is his current schedule typical, or should I be worried?
3 Answers
Just let him know that the current pace isn’t working for you. Be clear about your expectations, set specific working hours, and get everything in writing. If he’s not willing to commit to that, it might be time to look for someone else a bit more reliable.
Did you have a contract or a timeline? You should definitely ask him when he expects to finish and maybe amend your original agreement to include a proper finish date. It’s not professional if he’s not working at least 6-9 hours a day. Make sure he knows this is a priority for you.
This kind of schedule isn't unusual for contractors who might be juggling multiple projects. You might want to ask him how he plans to complete your project because it’s your only bathroom. Framing your conversation around your need for a completed bathroom will come off better than sounding critical of his work habits.