Can I legally post photos or a video on UTube or similar sites of a bad job by a contractor?

Question

I recently hired a contractor who said he had 22 years of experience to remodel a room in my home. The results were horrendous. It is going to cost me $1,600.00 to fix his damages. I am at a loss as to what I can do to prevent him from doing this to others. Can I post photos or video to different web sites as a way to inform people of his unprofessional work. I have tried to get him to work with us on this and he tells me that he completed the job and the results weren't part of the agreement. Some of the errors were, use of ten penney nails for trim. Not knowing what a miter box was or how to miter, Not knowing how to float out uneven areas. Leaving blisters in all the ceiling seams. Texture is not uniform. There are heavy spots, light spots, and some that are slick. He replaced an area of hardwood floor without staggering the planks to tie in with the original flooring. This stands out like a sore thumb. There must be someway I can expose him without burning myself.

Answer 1

Better Buisness Buerau does nothing they simply relay tour complaints and the contractors response back and forth between the two parties thats it dont waste the time.I had a company s***w me over and first i took them to small claims court for my losses, then i wrote letters to every editor in my area (just state facts no opinions) then i wrote a letter to the local buisness times paper that highlights new buisnesses in town, then i called the local news TV company and asked the news room for a commentary on the buisness.Then I called the chamber of comerece and filed a complaint and got them evicted from the chamber.It worked two months later the company closed their doors.

Answer 2

What about a web site like Angie's List?  You could post a review of this guy on that web site.  I'm sure they have all the legal angles covered.

Answer 3

Posting photographs on uTube will probably land you a lawsuit.

The best approach is to file a complaint with the Builder's Contractor Association (for your state) and your local Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Answer 4

Contact your State's contractor's licensing bureau.  They insure contractors work, and register issues.

I cannot see how it would be breaking any law to publish pictures of your own home.  The potential issue might be liable - hopefully you will get an informed answer.  To be effective you need to get the story of your experience out where someone may look for it as a reference.  The State Board, BBB, Angie's List, and Craigs List come to mind for me.

Answer 5

WOW! Does he have a license? This is your first course of action. Better Bus. Bureau, next. I don't know about the utube thing, but, everything else is on the internet, so why not an "unprofessional job". Good luck. LT