Q: Hi thank you for taking the time to read my question. I have a contractor that I have started a small home project with
I had him replace widows, which started out wrong. He measured one of the windows completely wrong and we didn't discover it until they went to put it in and it didn't fit. Custom ordered mind you. He needed to fix that problem which is still incomplete from March 2019. I then, decided to let him remodel my tiny bathroom that is INCOMPLETE as well. He didn't adhere to some details i asked of him in the beginning. It's now been approximately 15-16 days since I have had any contact with him and i have sent text and left voicemail. The leftovers are small and would take him or one of his workers 3 hours maybe 4 to complete. My problem is, there is no contract just word of mouth. I do have a one of his workers that was there to be a witness to all of this as well as my wife who owns the house in her name which he never had one conversation about these projects once. Being that there is no contract is what is scaring me. Do i have a leg to stand on?
A: You need to review everything in detail with a local attorney. Depending upon the size/dollar amount of the job, contractors are usually required to put their bids in writing and give you written notice of your rights as a homeowner and notice that if you pay the general contractor but he fails to pay any of the subcontractors, you might be on the hook to pay the same expense twice (hence you require proof that the subcontractors have been paid before paying the general contractor or make some similar arrangement). So consider reviewing everything with an attorney and/or filing a complaint against your contractor with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Do note, however, that there are time deadlines for doing this. Good luck.
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