Not only that...some cannot find other contractors to continue because noone want to get into troble with him or the work was so bad it has to be torn down and re-do or he has told everyone that you are the bad guy actually not paying him and want everything cheap cheap cheap and fast fast fast and contractors listen to contractors because they are of the same kind...hahahaha

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Added on June 1, 2012, 3:53 pmContractors are like that:

Stage one. Quotation. everything is possible whatever you want even discount. Very polite, very professional, amicable, call you often and when you call him for appointment, he will be there.

Stage 2: Once you agreed to give him the job. Before you get thing signed, cemnet, brick, wood, etc will be delivered to your house almost immediately. Signing can come later as far as they are concerned. No first payment deposit.

Stage 3. Commence work next day no delay whatsoever. Called you he has completed something and want you to verified if you are happy and if it is according to what you want. Want to make changes, no problem.

Stage 4. Tell you that you have not paid him the deposit, or no, it is he forgot to ask you for the money. You paid, work continue as you would like it to be.

Stage 5. You pay more money according to schedule

Stage 6.Disappered for few days, you called he comes and said need money just to buy material though that stage has not completed because just paid salary to workers, you pay otherwise no material how to continue?

Stage 7. All changes you request needed to be paid and no nego. You paid because you have no choice.

Stage 8. Disappear for days and you call will come next day but only for one day. You are stuck. Your weakness now show, you got no say and this is the time he make his demands. The table turned now against you. You have to pleased him otherwise he will work on other sites and your house has to wait, this include advance payment.

Stage 9: meeting his demand you house will be completed

Stage 10: you have an open house, the person you will not invite is your contractor who did the reno for you!!!!

Hi Jess,

First, I did not say not paying deposit. Before I could pay materials were delivered as a way to get me more committed than just a signed contract.

2nd, Of course not all contractors are like that but most. I did have a good contractor for my first house but he has since retired.

Last, You must not trust and must check on your contractor and his sub contractors on wet-work especially structural works regardless if you have time or no time and at least you ask how are they going to do it to make sure it is stronger that requirements like beams and pillar, footing and foundation. My contractor, though not a pleasant one, he invited me to inspect the foundation work and beams and pillars before concrete were poured! At first i told him i did not have the time but he insisted I go at crucial time, how big a hole they had dug for the foundation, the footing just before concrete, and he made me count the numbers of rebars and show me its thickness. He even make me claim up to the top of the beams if they had it tied the rebar beam cage properly and with a wielding tool I was told to tell the sub-contractor where else I wanted the rebar to be wield together!

So you see I got a bad attitude contractor when come to finances and negotiation of strength and power but not quality of work.