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All posts by Lee Seward

How to Hire a Contractor

by Lee Seward Contractors

When it comes to undertaking a remodeling or renovation project, hiring a reliable and competent general contractor is essential. With the abundance of options available, it can be overwhelming to select the right professional for the job. However, by following a few guidelines, the process can become much easier and more streamlined.

First and foremost, it is crucial to ensure that the general contractor you choose is licensed and insured. This provides you with peace of mind knowing that they have met certain requirements and possess the necessary expertise to handle your project. Additionally, insurance coverage protects both parties in case of any unforeseen accidents or damages during the construction process.

Another important step is to check for any negative feedback or complaints against the contractor with reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This will give you valuable insights into their reputation and reliability within the industry.

Reviewing the estimate provided by the contractor is also essential. Take your time to thoroughly understand all aspects of the estimate, including details about the scope of work and costs involved. Pay close attention to any allowances mentioned in the estimate as these may impact your overall budget.

Finally, ensure that any contract you enter into with a general contractor follows an AIA (American Institute of Architects) standard contract. These contracts are widely recognized within the industry and provide clear guidelines for both parties involved.

By adhering to these guidelines when hiring a general contractor for your remodeling or renovation project, you can confidently move forward knowing that you have made an informed decision based on important factors such as licensing, insurance coverage, reputation, cost transparency, and contractual standards.

Solvency of General Contractors

by Lee Seward Contractors

Discovering that the contractor you hired has run out of money can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. It’s especially alarming when you’ve already paid more than 50% of the contract amount, but only 5% of the work has been completed. Unfortunately, this is a common issue in SW Florida, where predatory contractors often take advantage of homeowners. The consequences can be devastating, leaving you with a delayed remodeling project, unpaid subcontractors, and even an unfinished or unbuilt home. In this section, we will delve into the challenges faced when encountering such situations and explore potential solutions to navigate through this unfortunate scenario.

Your Contractor is out of Money

The first item to uncover is discovering the items actually paid for your project. Since you are in a situation (you never asked to be in), you cannot take this at face value. You have to request a list of items the contractor paid with the actual invoices. You then need to call to confirm the payments were made. If this goes to court the information will be divulged. Trying to work this out is the best situation for the builder and yourself.

The Workout Option

Once you figured out how bad it is you have two options, attorney and court or try to work it out. Both options suck but if it is possible to work it out that will most likely offer you the most return. Legal battles are costly and if the contractor is out of money and you win, what would you expect to gain? 

Finishing your project is the best situation. The path forward would result in the contractor providing labor to cover the amount of money stolen from your project. You need to pay for the materials and subcontractors directly to assure they are actually paid. You will make the contractor source the lowest cost forward to finish your project and you will make sure they are providing you full cooperation to see this through. 

 

The Legal Option

This path is costly but may be your only path, NOTE: we are not providing legal advice and before committing to either option you should always consult with your attorney first. 

The discovery process will uncover what was paid and how your money was spent. Most likely they used your money to pay bills from past projects and cover operation overhead. Depending on how big that hole is will determine your outcome.  The downside of this process is time. It takes time to get this to court while you spend money. Your project will sit longer unfinished while you wait. There is a chance the court will require the contractor to finish your project if they do not have the cash to refund you but the capability to finish. Hopefully when all is final you are able to recover some cash. 

Protect Yourself

Try to be as proactive as possible. Make sure you know what is included in your scope of work and the values used to create your agreed cost.

Pay only for work in place, deposits are always required to purchase items and legally the deposit you are requested to pay should only be used for supplies to start your project. Have discussions of what has been purchased, windows have long lead times and need to be paid prior to ordering, plumbing fixtures need to be present for plumbing roughs, cabinets, stone/tile, etc. 

Most of all make sure when you have paid or are about to pay your contractor that they have performed the equivalent of work in place. If there is no action and you have paid a great amount then you should reach out to an attorney and see what your options are. 

Proactive is the best protection. 

If you find yourself in a situation where you need a second opinion, please feel free to give us a call 561-597-0021 or send us an email at info@iridiumdev.io

Hiring a Bad Contractor #2

by Lee Seward Contractors

What can you do?

Hiring a contractor for your project can be a daunting task, and unfortunately, not all contractors are created equal. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to fire your contractor due to poor performance or other issues, it’s important to protect yourself and your investment.

One of the most critical steps is ensuring that all work is paid up to date between your contractor, suppliers, and subcontractors. This includes requesting lien waivers with dollar values and percentages to complete. These waivers protect you from any legal claims against your property by unpaid suppliers or subcontractors.

Additionally, it’s essential to request subcontract agreements and contact information for everyone who worked or has been assigned to your project. This information will help you stay informed about who is working on your project and ensure that everyone is paid fairly.

If you’ve already paid your contractor but suspect that they have overbilled you or delayed the project without justification, it’s important to know your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation or other remedies under state law.

Finally, make sure that you keep a detailed list of deposits made throughout the project. This will help ensure that all payments are accounted for and can be used as evidence if needed in any legal disputes.

By taking these steps, you can protect yourself from bad contractors and ensure that your project stays on track financially.

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Hiring a Bad Contractor

by Lee Seward Contractors

What can you do when you have a contract with a bad contractor?

Hiring a contractor for your project is a big decision, and it can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned. If you suspect that you have a bad contractor working on your project, it’s important to take action quickly. The first step is to quantify what work is left to finish and the actual cost to complete it. This will give you a clear understanding of the situation and help you make informed decisions.

It’s also crucial to know what and who your contractor has paid up to date on your project, as well as the amount left to complete the project. This information will help you determine if you have been overbilled by the contractor or if they are delaying the project unnecessarily.

If you do decide to fire your contractor, it’s important to understand your legal rights and obligations. You may need to obtain lien waivers from subcontractors or suppliers who have worked on your project before making final payments.

In the next section, we will explore these topics in more detail and provide guidance on how best to handle a bad contractor situation.