Another CL/Handyman Unhappy Ending...

JumboJack

I got this email today..They must have googled me and found my website.

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Hi Jack,

I do not want to waste your time but I was wondering if you can give me some insight for handling an unlicensed handyman who went crazy on us. Out of our own stupidity- the job was a verbal agreement of $800 and a gift card to Home Depot for $150. We all agreed on the gig. He did start the work and when we asked for the receipts for the materials- he would always reply that he has an envelope of the receipts. I also asked for the work order- but he would never produce it- but he did keep coming back and was doing what he said he would do- at least with part of the project:

Some drywall patch/repair
and for the other parts- he never started

Saturday he called and said he wanted $400. When I called him back he then asked for $625 and that he wrote up an order and that is how much in his opinion he was owed. I told him the job is not even 50% complete and that I would give him half- no problem.

To spare you the details he basically went nuts and told us he was bailing on the job and picking up his equipment. This ensued in many back and forth calls about if he would finish or not finish. He said we made him feel like a thief. The only thing i can think of is maybe he is a thief- or at least unethical because all we asked for were the receipts from the HD card (because he said he ran out)
and the written work order.

He refused to take money when he picked up his equipment and said that he would see me in court. Any advice? We are local in OC.
Do we have any recourse because he refused the payment- did not finish the job, and said he would rather sue us?

I have photos of how he left us- no vanity, sink, light sockets, jerry-rigged vanity light, no heat lamp. He had unbolted the toilet and left it like that.

I never refused money to him- it was just a dispute of how much he would get for a job less than 50% complete. Also- I am now reading- an unlicensed handyman- cannot collect more that $500 with materials for a gig.

Thanks for any advice
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That's a lot of work for 950.00

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Mike Finley

LOL,

Hard to feel sorry when somebody gets EXACTLY what they paid for. Enjoy is all I would say to them.

Guess who will be fixing it all? Another one just like the first.

Bkessler

You get what you deserve, btw I hate when people ask me to produce receipts after they agree on a fixed price.

kevjob

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

daystoshort

this guy has been through this befor.by not takeing the money when you go to court all he has to say is that the price was higher.it like an insurance check if you have some damage to some property and the insurance gives you say 1500 but the damage is 2500 if you cash that $1500 check you have accepted and ended the clame.so you are stuck you get what you pay for if he sues you he could verry well win.

dkillianjr

Yup, me too!!!! thats one of my biggest pet peeves! I had a guy ask me if I could give him all reciepts and itemize labor and everything when I went to look at a job the other day. I said " so when you go to the grocery store you ask them how much it costed to package and deliver the loaf of bread you want!" Needless to say I didn't get that job


As for the HO who sent the email, good for them. I hope that handyman keeps messing with them! they got exactly what they paid for
hahahaha


Dave

CaliDesigns

I thought if a contractor was unlicensed, the homeowner had no obligations to pay. How can person doing work illegally sue for payment?

Grumpyplumber

What a chucklehead, both parties for that matter.

Sounds like this bonehead is basically doing a partial bath remodel for $800. (or, as a homeowner would say..."a simple drywall patch")

Without a required license, he'll be fodder for humor with the judge.

JumboJack

In Cali. an unlicensed "contractor" has no recourse in court so the HO is not going to get taken to court.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Chris Johnson

H.O. got some free work done, contractor is a dumb ass, now he gets nothing.

Doesn't sound like the guy was doing much either for his money considering he has no license, ins, comp, etc. $ 950.00 cash is like $ 2500.00 on the books.

If he sues, he automatically loses in California, plus the H.O. can report him and he gets fined from the CSLB, what a dumb ass.

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Chris

Remodel Bud

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WarnerConstInc.

It probaly started out as more but the HO's had really good negotiating skills, and the carpenter didnt.

JamesNLA

If the job is 500 or less, the "worker" IS owed that money. If the job is 500.01 the "worker" is owed nothing and automatically looses. The guy is just an idiot but the law clearly states he can COMPLETE the total job with labor and materials including all taxes for 500. However he must complete the job. And he cannot combine different aspects of the job meaning each aspect totalling 500...The homeowner is an idiot and so is the worker....sounds like a good match to me!!

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"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

bert0168

Stirring the pot?

Proud Plumber

Amen... more and more I am thankful for Craigs List. Because it give bad homeowners and contractors and place to meet. Leaving the opposite for us. Sort of a weeding tool. I like it...

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Bill

"I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead".... Jimmy Buffett

Remodel Bud

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AtlanticWBConst

They deserve each other....

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- Build Well -

Jack_Clark

Contractors License ___________$400.00
General Liability Ins.____________$1,500.00
Workers Comp._________________$35.00 per $100.00
Home Improvement Contract__$.15 cents
Using Craigslist "Handyman"___PRICELESS

Checking References ummmm free!!

22rifle

About that receipts thing... I read it as the guy was wanting more money for the materials... And that is why they asked for the receipts... I read between the lines but that's what I got out of it.

K2

That should be the tip off that he really doesn't have a clue. Lucky he didn't get all the jewelry too.