Contractors!! - Urgent Help Needed

[LaceyLace]

I am in the process of placing my house on the market, so have hired two men from my church to do all sorts of work around my house to get it ready for sale. They have worked together and each submit individual invoices for payment. I agreed to hire both... so no problem.

However, I decided I wanted porcelain tile installed in all 4 bathrooms. I hired ONE of these men to do the job, he submitted a price quote to me (about $1200). I had two other men (professional tile stores) also give me quotes (both came in about $1800). I went with the man from church at $1200 (note even if he were at $1800, I still would have gone with him because I knew him from church...). OH MY GOSH, NEVER AGAIN WILL I HIRE ANYBODY THAT I KNOW TO DO A JOB! I've had to let little things slide that I normally would bring up so as to not cause hard feelings/arguments with someone I worship with. Anyways.... back on topic...

So he shows up yesterday to start work on my bathrooms. Only gets one done. Guess he was foolishly "optimistic" about how long this would take (?) Anyways, this morning he shows up with the other guy that I had hired for the other jobs, saying he needed help with the tile, blah blah.

I kept my mouth shut for now. But, I am NOT paying this second guy if he hands me an invoice at the end of this tile job. Am I wrong? I think the original man that I hired should pay him. It's HIS fault he seriously underestimated the job and bid so low. What stinks is... he had asked me after he gave me his quote of $1200 what the other guys bid at, and I told him. Not that that really makes a difference...

Anyways, am I wrong? I know I probably should approach them... but I hate causing bad feelings when a job is in process

What would you do?

I'd have no qualms about dealing with this if it were a "professional" stranger. The fact that I worship with these men is causing me a LOT of stress right now. I really don't know how to handle this. I'm just steamed.

Help?

 

[DrCavin]

IF the other guy submits an invoice, hand it to the original guy & say I think this is for you. You agreed to have a job done, it is not your problem how many workers show up to complete it.

 

[claudia]

you hired him to do a job at an agreed price. If he hires someone to help him with the job he is reponsible for paying his "employee".

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yep, the contract price should have included "all costs for labor and materials" including cleanup.

Mikeeee

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would have stopped them right there and asked them before they did the work.

Be candid and ask them both how this guy is getting paid asap.

Better to head it off now and deal with the headache prior to putting your house up.

I would hate for the guy to put a lien against your house, which he could do I would think.

 

[tiggger1]

I would hate for the guy to put a lien against your house, which he could do I would think.

He shouldn't be able to put a lien against the house because she only hired 1 guy to do it. the other guy is essentially the firsts employee so it is his responsibility to pay him..

 

[claudia]

I would hate for the guy to put a lien against your house, which he could do I would think.

If the original bill is paid in full, there can be no lien.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

He shouldn't be able to put a lien against the house because she only hired 1 guy to do it. the other guy is essentially the firsts employee so it is his responsibility to pay him..

If the original bill is paid in full, there can be no lien.

Yes but she hired both guys to work on her house. That could be an issue. Keeping quiet in this situation is not good. Being clear is warranted.

 

[SpecialK]

Yep, the contract price should have included "all costs for labor and materials" including cleanup.

Mikeeee

Isn't there a difference between a quote and a contract? The OP said she got quotes. I didn't think the prices in quotes were binding.

 

[LaceyLace]

Yes but she hired both guys to work on her house. That could be an issue. Keeping quiet in this situation is not good. Being clear is warranted.

Just to make it clear, I did not hire both guys to do this tile work. I hired them to do other jobs completely separate from this (painting, etc.) for which both have already been paid in full.

Isn't there a difference between a quote and a contract? The OP said she got quotes. I didn't think the prices in quotes were binding.

I didn't mention this. I also received a contract which I signed and returned (and have a copy). It outlines all the work he will be doing and includes the full price that he will charge.

It's good to know that you all are in agreement with me. That gives me the confident to stand my ground on this matter.

Still stressful, however, since this will make going to church on Sundays now very uncomfortable

 

[luvmy3]

Just to make it clear, I did not hire both guys to do this tile work. I hired them to do other jobs completely separate from this (painting, etc.) for which both have already been paid in full.



I didn't mention this. I also received a contract which I signed and returned (and have a copy). It outlines all the work he will be doing and includes the full price that he will charge.

It's good to know that you all are in agreement with me. That gives me the confident to stand my ground on this matter.

Still stressful, however, since this will make going to church on Sundays now very uncomfortable

If you have a signed contract then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[claudia]

Just to make it clear, I did not hire both guys to do this tile work. I hired them to do other jobs completely separate from this (painting, etc.) for which both have already been paid in full.



I didn't mention this. I also received a contract which I signed and returned (and have a copy). It outlines all the work he will be doing and includes the full price that he will charge.

It's good to know that you all are in agreement with me. That gives me the confident to stand my ground on this matter.

Still stressful, however, since this will make going to church on Sundays now very uncomfortable

A signed contract is all you need. If this fellow gave you an estimate and then a contract he knows what he is doing....I am sure you will not have any problems. Sounds like he is bringing in the other fellow to help him meet the terms (time/hours) of the contract.

 

[JR6ooo4]

get final lein waivers signed when any work is completed. It is better to have them and not need them.

Mikeeee