I signed a contract with Frank to replace my driveway for $7000. Based on the contract I paid him $2000 at the contract signing date. After 2 days he came and removed my driveway’s concrete and put metal bars and gravels. I paid him $2100 at that day. He was supposed to come and pour the concrete in 1 or 2 days, but he didn’t show up. I called him every few days for two weeks and even I asked him if the problem is money to compensate him. Every time he said “he will come tomorrow or at the weekend and finish it”. I realized he is playing and do not intend to finish my work. I mailed him a Notice and gave him one week to come and finish my driveway otherwise I will disqualify his company for my job and hire another company to finish it and sue his company for the difference amount I will pay to the other company. Again, he promised to come and finish it, but didn’t show up! At the end of the “one week time”, I called him, and he rejected to finish my job with no reason! He passed the phone to his dad, Mateo (who owns “Lake Come General Construction Ltd.” concrete company). When I explained my story, Mateo apologized for his son’s behaviour and promised to finish my work in one week. At the end of the second one week, I called Mateo, but he also rejected to finish my work!!!! Now I am going to send Frank another Notice and disqualify his company for my work and hire another company to finish my work. I will reserve my rights to sue his company for the followings:
- Breach of Contract as he refused to complete my job based on the contract.
- Negligent Contractor as he didn’t show up for one moth to finish my work.
- Put the safety of my family and pedestrians in danger for one month as he left metal bars on the ground and next to the walkway for one month.
- Damage to my property and left it unfixed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you intend to hire a contractor, consider the followings:
- Always sign a written contract with clear scope of work, cost, date of start and finish and termination conditions.
- If the contractor requests progressive payments, he must be licensed by Service Alberta.
- Make sure contractor has Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) coverage.
- Always text or email the contractor any verbal communications for his confirmation and your records and take pictures before, during and after each stage of work.
Refer to the following link for more information:
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/tipsheets/Home_Renovations.pdf
Good Luck
- Approximate cost of services:
- $7,000.00