View Full Version : Can I hold a contractor responsible?
hayleyc
Oct 19, 2010, 06:24 PM
My family hired contractors to do the remodeling of our kitchen. They have been working on this "project" for six months now (despite the fact they said it would only be two months). Last week they didn't clean up their mess in the kitchen, and my dog ate caulking. They, having been at our house for the past several months, know I have dogs and know to clean up at the end of each day. I ended up having to rush my dog to the emergency vet that night, and as a result have an expensive bill. When I mentioned it to them the next day, they had the nerve to make some comment like, "Gosh, dogs are expensive, I guess that's part of owning a pet...." And I was thinking 'Actually, this wouldn't have happened at all if you wouldn't have left toxic materials out." Basically, I think their negligence caused all of this. Do they have insurance that protects them in these situations? Do I have any chance in making them at least partially pay for the vet bill their laziness caused?
cdad
Oct 19, 2010, 06:28 PM
How much was the bill? Also how close to being finished are they?
Fr_Chuck
Oct 19, 2010, 08:11 PM
And why don't you know what type of insurance they have ?
Before you hire them, you should be getting copies of their workers comp insurance in case they get injured, copies of their liablity insurance paper work.
And before you pay a penny know if they are sub contractors or the actual contractor you are paying, and if subs, have them sign off so they can't come in and place a lien if they don't get paid.
And the same on any materials being used.
A contractor does not carry a board on my property unless I have a copy of all of their insurance information ( a real copy, not just names(
hayleyc
Oct 19, 2010, 09:30 PM
My parents hired the contractors. I'm sure they are aware of the insurance they carry. They are not sub-contractors, they are the ones actually doing the job. I'm just not familiar with what all their insurance entails, I was just wondering...
$500 and they finally finished the project today.
speedball1
Oct 20, 2010, 06:07 AM
WOW! What did youn have done that took months to complete? To my way of thinking it should take weeks,(not months) to remodel a kitchen. If you're unhappy with, either the work performed or the time it took to do It I would lodge a complaint with The Better Business Bureau.
Are you satisfied with your new kitchen? Let me know, Tom
cdad
Oct 20, 2010, 12:05 PM
WOW!! What did youn have done that took months to complete? To my way of thinking it should take weeks,(not months) to remodel a kitchen. If you're unhappy with, either the work performed or the time it took to do It I would lodge a complaint with The Better Business Bureau.
Are you satisfied with your new kitchen? Let me know, Tom
I don't think its about the kitchen its about the dog.
To OP: You may have to sue in small claims court for the vet bill but I would be asking them about it first.
speedball1
Oct 21, 2010, 05:27 AM
Dad of Three,
I don't think its about the kitchen its about the dog
The pooch is OK! They'll have a difficult time proving liability on the contractors part. Isn't anyone wondering why it too months to complete a job that should have took weeks?
cdad
Oct 21, 2010, 01:05 PM
Dad of Three,
The pooch is OK! They'll have a difficult time proving liability on 6the contractors part. Isn't anyone wondering why it too months to complete a job that should have took weeks?
I was thinking that from the beginning. But that wasn't the OP's question. But yes from the sounds of it they took far to long unless they were adding onto the house during incliment weather. Lol