Last year we have a bathroom remodel where the quality of work got to a point where I refused a requested payment. They terminated the contract, and then filed a mechanic's lien for the full amount of the project to which they never pursued and the 1-year statute of limitations ran out on that making the lien ineffective at this point.
I am of the opinion my evidence of their work that was not to code and poorly done that I brought to their attention kept them at bay from pursuing. In short - they know they did a crummy job and were hoping I would cave under some legal pressure to pay and I didn't.
I have spent money on an attorney that basically got me nowhere but letter writing and disagreement on some sort of settlement (contractor wanted full payment, I wanted payment to correct work already paid for - total stalemate).
I paid someone else to come in and fix electrical work, an improperly installed window, and some trim work and paint - not to mention some work I did my self for finishes and touch-ups.
I am tempted to go to small claims for these items, which would total approx $1100. What I don't want to do is open up a can of worms that gives the contractor an avenue to claim the remaining balance on the project in some way (which doesn't make logical sense to me), and then on top of that - legal fees.
My attorney said for the money involved here to just leave things alone and move on, but $1100 is $1100 and I want to make a point because these folks really screwed us over. There is a host of other issues out of code that get this number close to the $10k max for small claims too (example - they built a wall that leans more than code allows). My thoughts are if I push back and file something, the money involved is not worth it to them to pay attorney to fight and might settle. I am just playing the table here and betting they think I have just gone away...
general thoughts from the board...?
I am of the opinion my evidence of their work that was not to code and poorly done that I brought to their attention kept them at bay from pursuing. In short - they know they did a crummy job and were hoping I would cave under some legal pressure to pay and I didn't.
I have spent money on an attorney that basically got me nowhere but letter writing and disagreement on some sort of settlement (contractor wanted full payment, I wanted payment to correct work already paid for - total stalemate).
I paid someone else to come in and fix electrical work, an improperly installed window, and some trim work and paint - not to mention some work I did my self for finishes and touch-ups.
I am tempted to go to small claims for these items, which would total approx $1100. What I don't want to do is open up a can of worms that gives the contractor an avenue to claim the remaining balance on the project in some way (which doesn't make logical sense to me), and then on top of that - legal fees.
My attorney said for the money involved here to just leave things alone and move on, but $1100 is $1100 and I want to make a point because these folks really screwed us over. There is a host of other issues out of code that get this number close to the $10k max for small claims too (example - they built a wall that leans more than code allows). My thoughts are if I push back and file something, the money involved is not worth it to them to pay attorney to fight and might settle. I am just playing the table here and betting they think I have just gone away...
general thoughts from the board...?