We hired a contractor to do a project. We paid 75% of the project. In the beginning of the project he showed credibility and we trusted him, he will tell us if he had to buy or upgrade any material and if that will affect his labour and the original contract. In the beginning of the project, we also told him we were on a tight budget and what not. Anyway, he finished the project 2 months late. And he is telling us that now we owe him 18% more on the original contract. And his reasons are that, he bought things that he forgot to ask our permission, and not only that, there are things that he told us while doing our contract that it was free of charge, now he goes behind our back and he charges us. None of all of this 18% was in the original contract. My question is who is right here. Is it something we need to involve a lawyer. I mean it's a lot of money that I am talking here. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Is there a total dollar amount in his contract? If the contract was, for example, no more than $50,000 and now he want $50K plus 18% you can tell him to fly a kite. What did the contract say, exactly?

How and what exactly does the written estimate say ?

But if he told you that some things were free, then they are free. If he upgraded or changed things without asking permission, I personally would not pay and fight him over it.

The written estimate was for a fixed amount. And we paid 75% of it already. Just for him to win this contract he showed lots of credibility, but once he got it, he slacked for a while, it took him over 6mths for the project to be done.

Marblearch, don't use the comment space for your reply. Just drop down to the ANSWER THIS QUESTION box and type your reply.

Yes we all agreed on a total amount. And we paid 75% of it. After he said we should pay him 18% more we told him our position and how unfair and how we felt he didn't seek our permission. It's a bit outrageous!!

Follow the contract. If you make additional payment, it can be never ending because a court would say that you agreed to the additional costs by paying the contractor. He will need a lawyer to sue you.