I hired a contractor to renovate a small bathroom in my double wide manufactured home, and things took a turn for the worse. After a week of demo, he started working with GoBoard for the shower, but when I insisted he follow the manufacturer's installation guide, he quit. It all went downhill when he didn't center the drain correctly, and I called him out on not caulking the seams like he should. Now I'm left with extra tile and no contractor to finish the job. Is it reasonable for me to expect a contractor to adhere to installation guidelines, and what should I do now?
5 Answers
Honestly, if it took him that long just for demo, you might want to reconsider if he was the right fit from the start. I can tackle a bathroom demo in a day, so five days seems excessive! You should definitely make sure you’re getting someone who understands the job right.
Yeah, that’s a huge red flag when a contractor says something like 'don’t worry, we won’t be around when it fails.' I would have been seriously questioning my choice to hire him right then. A lot of contractors are dismissive about following guidelines, but those guidelines are there for a reason!
That’s true, but it can be tough when you want to help out someone, like your neighbor. It’s unfortunate when people don’t take their work seriously.
I really hope you didn’t pay too much upfront. It’s often tricky with staggered payments, but it’s common practice. Make sure you document everything in case you need to dispute it later. Sucks having to deal with contractors who can just walk away like that!
Yeah, it's common to pay in stages. Just be cautious about it. You don’t want to lose more money.
If you're using GoBoard, you have to follow their guidelines, especially the sealing part. The manufacturer clearly states that you need a sealer for seams and fasteners, and taping should only reinforce, not replace the sealant. Installing it any other way could lead to serious issues down the line. Also, regarding the weight concern, I’d probably lean towards a prefab enclosure in your situation instead of risking a heavy tile setup.
Sometimes you just have to move on. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. Just focus on finding someone who can actually complete the project and learn from this experience. You've got this!
Helpful advice! It’s tough dealing with setbacks, but keeping your chin up is the way to go.
It was probably the old structure that slowed him down. Sounds like a pain to deal with! Also, good point on needing someone competent.