Q: How can i make a contractor finish the job i hired him for, and commit to the contract?
I hired a contractor for home improvement job, he is not responding and not finishing the job. He already got half the money. The contract says he has to finish everything by end of April 2021, and yet it's not done.
How can i get him to finish the job?
A: I would remind him of the contract he signed and the consequence if he breaches the contract. I would put everything in writing to show him that you are very serious.
A: This is a recurrent problem with contractors. Deadlines in contracts are NOT legally considered to be strict, enforceable deadlines UNLESS the contract specifies that "time is of the essence" or any similar language (for example, "the parties agree that the deadline in this contract is a strict deadline, and not meeting the deadline is a breach of this contract"). So one way to handle this is to NOW request the contractor to agree to a new written deadline and that "time is of the essence". Ask him, "By what date will you be able to complete the job, which we can put in writing?" If he gives a date that you can live with, get his John Hancock (that is, his signature) on a typed or hand-written supplemental agreement with the strict deadline language. Both sign and date. If he is not cooperative, schedule a consultation with an attorney.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
