Contractors have the 2nd highest number of complaints compared to other industries in the US. Contractors often come into our personal spaces to perform their work, making us less comfortable in our homes and eager to see the job done.
However, things don’t always go according to plan.
Keep reading to learn which steps you should take when you – or one of your clients – have contractor problems.
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7 Tips For When You Have Contractor Problems
At some point in your life, you’ll have to hire a contractor. Whether you’re performing essential home repairs, increasing your home’s value, or remodeling your bathroom, you need to know how to keep your contractors accountable and get your project finished to your specifications.
Here, we will discuss the steps you can take if you encounter problems with a contractor.
Communicate Effectively And Politely (In Writing)
If you wish to raise an issue with your contractor, you must ensure your communications are in writing. So, sit down at your computer and draft your email carefully. When you get a response, it will be documented in writing. You will have evidence to support your claim.
Of course, even though tensions may be high and you might have lost your patience, you should communicate politely. If you are too aggressive with your contractors, this may make them less helpful in resolving the issue. So, be direct and straightforward, but be polite.
Be Reasonable
If you’re not happy with the work your contractors are performing or how long it’s taking, be reasonable. Ask whether you could do things differently or why the job takes so long. If your contractor has a plausible explanation for the delay or specifics about the job, you shouldn’t apply too much pressure.
For instance, if your contractor is waiting for a rare type of marble to arrive for your kitchen design, using intimidation and nagging won’t do any good – and it will probably turn your contractors against you.
It’s in your best interest to keep your relationship with your contractors sweet and be reasonable with your demands.
Outline Your Expectations Moving Forward
If you are raising an issue with your contractors, it can be helpful to outline your expectations moving forward and what your contractors need to change.
Suppose your contractors have used the wrong tiles in your new bathroom. In that case, it isn’t helpful to send an angry email – it will be more beneficial to inform the contractor of the issue and discuss your expectations when it comes to remedying the problem.
In disputes with contractors, it’s best to take a solutions-based approach rather than simply complain. You want the solution, and so does your contractor, so bear this in mind.
Amend And Update The Contract
If your contractors can no longer meet the completion date you laid out when the project began, then you should amend and update the contract with this in mind. They could extend the work for several reasons, and you have to roll with the changes to get the job done.
So, set a new completion date and amend the contract in line with this date. This way, your contractors can work towards a new goal, and you can hold them accountable in line with the changes in the project.
Log Your Complaint With A Higher Authority
If your contractors are refusing to meet your expectations, and you have been reasonable throughout the process, then it may be prudent to log your complaint with a higher authority.
This could be the higher levels of the contractor company, or it could be a legal entity that holds contractors accountable for the work they perform in small claims court.
When you go to the higher authority, you should still be polite about your contractors in your communications. You could be in the wrong here – and if you criticize the workers for something that’s not their fault, then their bosses may consider you a problematic client.
So, be polite and state your needs, enquiring whether the contractors can meet those needs in the future. If the contractors have been untoward in their communications with you, then you should include this in your communication.
Leverage Payments And Bad Reviews
When you have an issue with a contractor, you have a weapon at your disposal, and they won’t seem to budge. If you’re not happy with the quality of the work, then you should withhold the payment until the issue is rectified.
You can also threaten to leave a bad company review, including the contractors’ names, should things become contentious. You have the right to good service for your money, and you can leverage payments and bad reviews to your advantage.
Understand The Scope Changes Of The Project
There are many issues that your contractor may encounter during the project that will require additional work. It’s essential to be understanding and solutions-focused in your communications about these changes. Some issues you may encounter along the way include:
- Mold
- Water damage
- Termites
- Corroded or poorly assembled piping
- Availability issues with supplies
- Personal problems with your contractors
If the work is delayed due to personal issues for your contractors that prevent them from showing up to work, please understand. If you took a sick day from work, you would not expect your employer to be cross with you, so give your contractors the grace and respect you would expect if you dealt with personal issues.
Summary
Contractor issues are an age-old issue. But, no matter how frustrated you may be that your bathroom isn’t finished, it’s important to remember that your contractors want to meet your expectations.
Set clear expectations, amend the contract, and understand the nature of the project. If your contractor is being unreasonable, then communicate with higher authority and leverage poor reviews and payment to your advantage – but please be respectful.
