What happen? Contractor or design?

Then, what is the purpose of engaging a contractor? We pay them premium price for their expertise and our peace of mind. If we need to check on their workers constantly, might as well, we just scout for workers and complete it on our own.

There's no harm with visiting your house, checking on their works ONCE IN A WHILE. I will definitely not engaging any contractor if I need to go to my house everyday. At most, twice a week. We, as house owner and customer, our responsibility is only paying accordingly and honestly.

If our contractor can deliver, my payment will be made smoothly.

It's as if I need to look at the chef cooking my lunch, making sure it was prepared accordingly in the entire process, and to sit back down at my table to enjoy my meal.

Make sure masonry works are done, (or any work require general worker to complete). Hari Raya Puasa means these workers are taking quite some days off. By the way, why payment had been made up to 80%? Isn't there an agreed mechanism to pay accordingly?

My contractor is building my 4200 sqft built-up house for RM580K, with everything included (I only need to supply tiles, because I am importing tiles from Southern Europe). How could it be expensive? Yet, they are doing a job which I deemed above average. The payment was made based on agreed schedule on contract, the contractor never request for payment with nonsense excuses and never exceeds the percentage done.

I did some research on the material used, they are using above average grade material for the construction of my house. So, there's nothing that I can argue.

The company that I engage is a construction company, not a contractor. These companies, they only involve in what they do only. In my case, they cover everything except carpentry.

You are right, the quote that they gave are properly made. It has all the details including material used (brand, type and quantity), estimated date of completion (and a clause that states a maximum additional 10% liable to vary) and price in a complete agreement.

I don't understand, laminated flooring should be something that could be arranged in a short time. Could you check if the contractor has made his payment or order? Sometimes, the contractor ran out of money. Talk to them. Make sure no payment is further made, but you can always tell your contractor to arrange and you will pay directly to these sub-contractor. Balance only to be paid to him. What matters is completion and handover.

They use normal cement to fill the gap between tiles? Nowadays, most people use coloured grout, such as those by Davco. This is the problem when we engage contractor that are not up-to-date in design and material technology.

Nowadays, there's square instead of round edge, and some are made of aluminium. Looks classy. But, it's about 4 to 5 times the price.

That is why, make only progressive payment by percentage work done. I don’t think it’s wise to ask for refund, since it’s unlikely and I afraid, he could just left the job, as the advantage is now in his hand. Make an appointment, talk to him, understand his problem. Now,Iit’s not the time to put blame but to finish the remaining.

In the meantime, there’s nothing you could really do. Making a police report won’t help either as the element of crime does not really exist.

Take this as a lesson, contractors who claim based on work done are more dependable as the advantage doesn’t lean too much towards them.

Delay is not a crime technically, breach of agreement is a civil case. The most you can do is consumer tribunal, which is not your priority now. Check with Innovar if an order had been made.