I was recently in a conversation with colleagues talking about horror stories each of us had with residential contractors performing work on our own homes. Everyone has at least one example of a bad experience they had on their home.
Mine was a roofing contractor trying to increase the cost AFTER we had signed the contract and the work was completed. He backed down real quick after I proposed the legal system should settle our dispute. I believe my words were along the line of “I’m going to enjoy listening to the judge laugh you out of the courtroom.”
The saying “documentation, documentation, documentation!” should also apply on your own personal property. Treat the project no differently than you would at work. Don’t allow verbal agreements and take pictures of before, during, and after the project. Also keep a record of conversations. Remember, as soon as you let your guard down a dishonest contractor will take advantage of you!
