Thread: May have to take my Home Builder to court

Thank you very much for your input and advice. I'll have someone come in next week when Im back @ home.

Background:

I saw a lot that was cleared out and house(s) going up. I pulled over and talked with the builder who said I could change plans and "make it my own" if I were to purchase a lot.

We talked for 10 minutes and I said that Id come back the next day when their agent was available with paperwork ready.

I showed up the next day with checkbook in hand...no haggling in regards to home pricing,upsales and labor rates...and paid everything up front.

Paperwork was complete THAT day.

I NEVER asked for anything extra that I wasnt willing and ready to pay for in ADVANCE. Didnt complain about missed deadlines, etc..I didnt even hold them to their verbal promises while the build was going on...I had got the feeling that they didnt care after the "big checks" were cashed.

All I want is flat/stable floors and walls...and to be able to sleep soundly at night not stressed out about "what else will go wrong"

I should love my home but its just "another house" to me

I'm embarrassed to have family/friends in my NEW,custom built home...im embarrassed to post this on the internet.

i fell bad for you in your situation, it happens a lot. i believe that man should be happy in his home or do what is ever necessary to make it right for him to be happy.

do not stress over it, that is a way to a early heart attack.

just take your time and get it fixed, with every problem life throws at you there is always a fix.

if you do ever build again, always do a staggered cash pay out, never pay in advance, 20%-30% every duration of the pay schedule, when you hold the cash they always seem to move quicker.

if you are really worried, have a retainer for up to 6months to 1 year

Originally Posted by handym3000

when you hold the cash they always seem to move quicker.

I have to say this is a common misconception among homeowners.

Could be location specific, but where we build, the clients that pay the quickest get the projects finished first. It's the people that try to hold out money are the ones who get frustrated and can't understand why they are being put at the bottom of everyone's to do list.

Originally Posted by J08M3

I have to say this is a common misconception among homeowners.

Could be location specific, but where we build, the clients that pay the quickest get the projects finished first. It's the people that try to hold out money are the ones who get frustrated and can't understand why they are being put at the bottom of everyone's to do list.

There is a difference between holding out $$$ on a contractor and the contractor wanting to be paid before the work is done. Seems like whenever I have someone do work for me, they are looking to be paid before they are fully finished.

let me define what i meant by holding the cash, i phrased it wrong:

when you do payouts on bigger jobs, you do not get paid up front, their is a cash draw, based on expenses and profit, you submit and get paid once a month. that's how it is done in the Chicago land area, and most highway jobs, and commercial construction.

it has nothing about holding and being mean, i just pay for work completed.

I own a construction company and I prefer customers to pay a retainer before starting work based on material needed for the project. If the customer chooses to wait I normally wait to start work. Its not shady and not rude. My company actually does very well and has great reviews.

Nice post dear...thanks for share..