Boatyard Misery

[MrBill_FLL]

We recently had to hire a leak detection service and a plumber to fix what we thought was a leak under our slab.
The plumber had great reviews on Angie's List and lived up to those reviews. The detection service did not find the leak but said they did. When I called the service and explained the situation the response was "what do you want me to do about it?"
After I explained that if they didn't send the check back immediately I'd give them a negative on Angie's the lady got very cooperative and I had the check back the next day. I didn't have to threaten small claims.
I'd look on Angie's there for recommendations. It can also be your club to smite an unsatisfactory contractor.

I have found vendors/contractors have to pay to be listed on AL.

lots of good guys don't want to pay in...

 

[Me and Boo]

Did you pre-pay or are you paying in installments? Did you sign a contract? Do you have any achievement dates written down? You may need a lawyer as you could be held up with workman liens.

Our project (Deck Resurfacing) in the boat yard has become less interesting to the contractor we hired and as a result we are having problems getting him to finish. Any thoughts on lighting a fire under his rear?

Every excuse in the book has been used to explain away his sluggish pace. Now we are into the rainy season and now that is the excuse.

I am ready to call BoatUS Consumer Affaires.

Advise is welcome.

 

[finding41]

I'm a contractor. I use these things called tarps to cover things from the elements. Once in a while I even build a structure over my work area and place these tarps on it. Sometimes it gets cold and I put this big propane or kerosene blast furnace things in the structure to warm things up to the correct temperatures for the products being used.
If the contractor you hired to do the job says he can't because (....insert excuse....). Fire him. Then in the future give him the referrals he deserves.
I'd even ask for some of my $ back for the inconvenience and legal fees.
(I know once you mention legal fees to a contractor they will find a way to set things right!)

 

[Merlin Clark]

I know one thing, it is getting increasingly HARD to find anyone in the trades who can TRULY TROUBLESHOOT and analyze issues for a COMPLETE resolution. Im talking mechanics especially. They all seem to be "Parts Changers" who want to TRY this and TRY that.

And if they don't fix anything, they STILL WANT TO GET PAID.

I manage a small fleet of vehicles including our boat and I am getting less and less willing to pay people for incomplete work that does not meet my standards of completion.

I agrre with that. If I don't provide what my clients ask for I don't get paid and shouldn't.

 

[LloydB]

My first thought was how do you know he is half way through as it's been my experience that proper finish is well over half the job and he may not be there yet. Get an experienced unbiased opinion before you throw away the first $ and go to a new vendor that may need larger funding. I've been on both sides of that handshake. If he gave acceptable excuses then why are they not acceptable now? He knew it would rain by now, didn't he agree to handle that contingency or did you imply some adjustment in that case? Nodak7 fairly well lined it out so you may well write out a actual work order stating original work to be done, total payment and your previously stated anticipated finish date. Next state the actual work completed to date,payment to date and a new agreed final completion date.