For most homeowners, a great deal of effort goes into choosing the right contractor for their home renovations. By the time you’ve decided on a contractor, finalized an agreement, and paid the deposit, the last thing you need is for it all to fall apart.
Some delays are warranted in home renovation as there are often things out of the contractor’s control, such as injury, weather conditions, or getting the supplies needed to do the job. For example, you may not get the energy-efficient windows you wanted to help reduce your carbon footprint or the granite countertop you chose for another month because they’re on backorder. But if your renovation seems to drag on and your contractor isn’t giving you good reasons for the prolonged delay, it may be time to start weighing your options – especially if you’re trying to increase your home’s value before listing it for sale.
The best-case scenario is you won’t find yourself in this situation. But if you do, a first step you can take is to document the unfinished work, such as through screenshots and photos, and contact your contractor to try and come up with a resolution. If you don’t find a viable solution or cannot reach the contractor, there are a few avenues you can consider.
5 steps you can take if your contractor doesn’t finish the job
1) File a suit in small claims court
This is a viable option for homeowners who feel their contractor owes them money. Maybe you’ve paid them in advance for labor or supplies, or perhaps they left substantial damage to your house before going MIA. The small claims court system allows individuals the opportunity to raise small claims against companies or other individuals. The maximum for small claims court settlements differs from state to state. For example, if you’re living in San Antonio, Texas, the maximum is $20,000, but if you live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania you will have a limit of $12,000. A typical amount these claims are capped at is…