Problem with homeowner?

Question

I had a verbal agreement with a homeowner to remodel his bathroom. After 4 1/2 weeks I am done with it and ask for my money. He suddenly requires that i move on the toilet location -that means using jackhammer ,take concrete slab up, remove new tiles a.s.o. I say he needs to pay extra for it because i never moved on the old toilet location - he says he does not pay. And if i do not do as he requires -he hires another contractor to do the job and is billing me for the work !

He watched me working in his bathroom for 4 weeks and never tells me anything about the toilet location, but when it6 conmes to pay it is his reason for not paying me.

Answer 1

NEVER USE A VERBAL AGREEMENT!  That was a really dumb move on your part and I'd chalk it up as a life lesson that you can't take anyone at their word.

Answer 2

A verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on - Yogi Berra.

Tell him that he pays you for what you have done. If he doesn't, take him to small claims court to collect the amount owed. The court is going to see the work that has been performed so far and allow you to collect for it.

Your customer is trying to scam you because he wants to hire another contractor and bill you. He lacks the authority to do that. He can't enter into a contract on your behalf while simultaneously claiming that you don't have a contract. That argument wins in small claims.

The threat of small claims to the homeowner will make him pay. If it doesn't and you win in small claims, you have an enforcable judgment and can seize his assets to collect your money (if he has any assets).

Start putting your bids in writing and outlining what the bid includes.

Answer 3

Now you know why a written agreement is required for contracting work.  A verbal contact is only enforceable if both parties agree to the terms.  Obviously, you don't agree.  He says your supposed to do one thing, you say you're not, and now you're both stuck.

Chalk this up as a hard lesson learned, and don't make this mistake again.