Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DIY & Home Improvement

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 05:51 PM Apr 2013

Question on dealing with contractors [View all]

I have one currently working on my house who is giving me bids as he goes and is fixed price. Reasoning for this is because of hidden damage that couldn't be quoted until demolition was done (yep - I had rotted floor joists).

So in one of these bids, he cites the shower repair as "install shower base" and at the bottom, it says "Labor and material cost $2,200"

That was dated April 6th. On March 5th, I gave him a check for $1,000 to buy the shower base because of the lead/shipping time.

Now, he is telling me that "oops", he forgot to include that in "materials" in the $2,200 bid because I gave him a check in advance.

Questions:

Any recommendations on how to handle this?

Does $3,200 even sound reasonable for a shower base, drain, greenboard, membrane and plumbing behind the walls? Quote specifically does not include faucet and tile work. This is a 4x5 walk-in shower with no door.

It is reasonable to ask for receipts from the "materials" on a fixed bid project where something has been claimed as being missed?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Question on dealing with contractors [View all] Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 OP
Depends on where you live. OffWithTheirHeads Apr 2013 #1
Thanks for the heads up. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 #2
I don't think he forgot anything. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2013 #3
Thanks for another set of eyes/ears on this for me. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 #4
Is he pouring a concrete shower base or installing a pre-made pan? Hassin Bin Sober Apr 2013 #5
Heya HBS Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 #8
That makes a little more sense re: $1000 for materials. Hassin Bin Sober Apr 2013 #12
Yikes! Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 #13
Tell him the oops belongs to him, and he will need to eat that. mbperrin Apr 2013 #6
A bit too extreme ! Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2013 #7
In 15 years, I never had a client fail to pay in full what they owed. mbperrin Apr 2013 #10
Your method was as good as it gets. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2013 #14
Generational knowledge is a great thing, and it gives us a special bond. mbperrin Apr 2013 #15
Thank you for adding your thoughts/experience to this dilema. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2013 #9
Sorry you're having trouble at all. mbperrin Apr 2013 #11
What I am seeing over those numbers Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2013 #16
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»DIY & Home Improvement»Question on dealing with ...»Reply #0