Hey everyone, I need some help. We hired a contractor for some home improvement work, but after completing the job, we discovered that he had cut several major corners, which violate local township requirements. When we pointed this out, he initially agreed that repairs were necessary but then started making excuses. Eventually, he completely ghosted us. We have all the original invoices and records of payment (even though we paid in cash, there's written communication). What's the best way to handle this situation?
3 Answers
Reporting him to code enforcement is a solid option. They can crack down on contractors who don’t follow the rules. Also, if he knows you're serious about taking this further, it might push him to fix the issues.
You should check if the contractor is licensed and if there are specific codes he violated. If he has, let him know that if he doesn't address these issues, you'll report him to your local building authority or file a claim against his insurance. If he isn’t licensed, you might just need to hire someone else to fix it.
Can I check his license status on the state board website?
If the project cost around $7k and you’ve already paid him fully, it’s tough. The repairs could set you back $800 to $1k. You might want to consider small claims court – it's relatively cheap to file and can sometimes motivate contractors to act without having to actually go to court.
Is that through the township then?