Lousy Contractor

[bill_rock 0]

Share my BAD experience that I encounter of this contractor. angry:

Just bought a resale flat and it consider an move-in condition, the only things we need to do are change of kitchen cabinet and some minor work for both toilet. Did visit some of the ID's center and their quote are on the "super high side", and we not intend to spend too much $ to those so call "branded" ID.

So we decided to try those contractors from newspaper classified page, called fews of them and manage to get fews quote with "Good" pricing (almost half of the prices saving compare to ID), finally we let this contracor - L** C**** Renovation Contractor to handle our minor renovation work due to his presentation, $, leadtime (2 weeks to complete) and so call their family pass down business (claim that in this industrial for 20 over years).

The nightmare start after signing the agreement, at first he request a payment of 40% to him for purchase the materials, but we disagree the terms and finally he agreed to receive 20% upfront, for the start everything are according to the plan until the 3rd days, he ask again for another 40% payments for him to pay his workers, we told him no way as this is not our problems but we think of they already make our kitchen in the mess and try not to create any problem with them, we bargain till pay only another 20% payment if we able to see the work in progress.

From the time onwards, this contractor start to play "punk" with us, he put our reno works into 2nd priority and even I need to call him everyday to ask for the status instead he update us the progress. After discuss with my wife, we though by giving way and give him some more payments to complete the work done ASAP, but we are wrong, this contractor are totally unreliable. After getting the payments and there are no change at all, and the worse thing are he give us the contact nos. of his sub-con and contact them personally, and the most f*** angry thing are - his sub-contractor come to us for payment.

At the end we just pay the payment that where his stop (luckily he have completed 95% jobs), the rest we do it one-by-one and jobs done.

Lastly I wish to say that not all the contractor in paper are bad, is only the luck is not in our side and get this contractor. Anyone encounter this before? Can we file this to CASE? I think is good to share with other newbie, at least it can prevent it happen to others.

[MaCe 3]

Share my BAD experience that I encounter of this contractor. angry:

Just bought a resale flat and it consider an move-in condition, the only things we need to do are change of kitchen cabinet and some minor work for both toilet. Did visit some of the ID's center and their quote are on the "super high side", and we not intend to spend too much $ to those so call "branded" ID.

So we decided to try those contractors from newspaper classified page, called fews of them and manage to get fews quote with "Good" pricing (almost half of the prices saving compare to ID), finally we let this contracor - L** C**** Renovation Contractor to handle our minor renovation work due to his presentation, $, leadtime (2 weeks to complete) and so call their family pass down business (claim that in this industrial for 20 over years).

The nightmare start after signing the agreement, at first he request a payment of 40% to him for purchase the materials, but we disagree the terms and finally he agreed to receive 20% upfront, for the start everything are according to the plan until the 3rd days, he ask again for another 40% payments for him to pay his workers, we told him no way as this is not our problems but we think of they already make our kitchen in the mess and try not to create any problem with them, we bargain till pay only another 20% payment if we able to see the work in progress.

From the time onwards, this contractor start to play "punk" with us, he put our reno works into 2nd priority and even I need to call him everyday to ask for the status instead he update us the progress. After discuss with my wife, we though by giving way and give him some more payments to complete the work done ASAP, but we are wrong, this contractor are totally unreliable. After getting the payments and there are no change at all, and the worse thing are he give us the contact nos. of his sub-con and contact them personally, and the most f*** angry thing are - his sub-contractor come to us for payment.

At the end we just pay the payment that where his stop (luckily he have completed 95% jobs), the rest we do it one-by-one and jobs done.

Lastly I wish to say that not all the contractor in paper are bad, is only the luck is not in our side and get this contractor. Anyone encounter this before? Can we file this to CASE? I think is good to share with other newbie, at least it can prevent it happen to others.

ya can go to CASE best still if you can write to ST FORUM.

fyi, i didnt pay a single cent upfront to our contractor...he gets 50% when he has done 65%.

[bill_rock 0]

ya can go to CASE best still if you can write to ST FORUM.

fyi, i didnt pay a single cent upfront to our contractor...he gets 50% when he has done 65%.

At the 1st place though of making life simple for both but end out are the opposite way.

[SimeiSeeker 0]

Well, Always state the completion date as promise by the contractor in the contract and also the compensation if there is delay.

[gothique 0]

The nightmare start after signing the agreement, at first he request a payment of 40% to him for purchase the materials, but we disagree the terms and finally he agreed to receive 20% upfront, for the start everything are according to the plan until the 3rd days, he ask again for another 40% payments for him to pay his workers, we told him no way as this is not our problems but we think of they already make our kitchen in the mess and try not to create any problem with them, we bargain till pay only another 20% payment if we able to see the work in progress.

Hey there, isn't the payment terms inside the agreement?

did you ask around for friend's recommendations? sometimes i think that is better cuz it shows that previous customer got positive experience.

but anyway it's already past, hope you can enjoy your new home.

[lawry 3]

Hey, was it stated in the agreement how much you have to pay first to start work? Mine has a 15%, 40%, 40%, 5%, agreed upon on both sides. If it's not stated, then they can ask for any amount, and you can give/don't give in, but end up both unhappy. If it's stated, but you don't give, of course they play punk also...

My ID told me some stories about some of her clients, some of them refused to pay up after the agreed 10%, 40%, 40%, 10% arrangements, but she went ahead and complete the renovation anyway, they still delay the payment for almost 1/2 a court and they have to go to court to settle.

The ID themselves has to safeguard against such issues also, so it's good if it's stated clearly how/when the staggered payment must be paid for what to start ...

As a guide...

15% start work, select tiles, select paint, select laminate, drawings, designs etc

40% wetworks, wall finishing complete.

40% carpentry start

5% check for defects, happy then pay..

[johncbh 0]

Hey, was it stated in the agreement how much you have to pay first to start work? Mine has a 15%, 40%, 40%, 5%, agreed upon on both sides. If it's not stated, then they can ask for any amount, and you can give/don't give in, but end up both unhappy. If it's stated, but you don't give, of course they play punk also...

My ID told me some stories about some of her clients, some of them refused to pay up after the agreed 10%, 40%, 40%, 10% arrangements, but she went ahead and complete the renovation anyway, they still delay the payment for almost 1/2 a court and they have to go to court to settle.

The ID themselves has to safeguard against such issues also, so it's good if it's stated clearly how/when the staggered payment must be paid for what to start ...

As a guide...

15% start work, select tiles, select paint, select laminate, drawings, designs etc

40% wetworks, wall finishing complete.

40% carpentry start

5% check for defects, happy then pay..

Hi Bill,

I sympathized with you. I engaged a contractor whom I paid only after they had done everything. You can say I'm mean but it shows very much what the contractor is after throughout the process of renovation - ie .. service and quality or getting the $ from your pockets first. The contractor I engage did not even asked for the $ and I reward the subcontractors with refreshments and prompt payment after the project well done.

I have a friend who experienced something similar with your description. He took took the bait for one "good offer" and the cheapstake contractor not only delayed but did a blotch messed up job of the floorings. On top of that, he also asked my friend to give some more cash because the work was found to be "under quoted". When My friend did not obliged, the contractor dragged and further delayed the job on purpose. My friend had to abort the project halfway & get in other contractor to finished up at further cost.

Something to learn is that not all cheap price and impressive or persuasive speech is genuine (You got to look beyond that by asking for specific obligations in the contract down in writing). Not all "family business" is honorable (his maid could probably be his wife & worker for all you know).

Going to CASE may not be any help at all. You have a weak & arguable case. Believe me, there are lots of ppl sharing your same fate. The pen is mightier than a sword - use it. Errand contractors preying on unsuspecting ppl will fail oneday, so don't loose heart. U can be happier moving on with your life and warn ppl you know about that company/contractor.