It sounds just like our story with our bathroom project. The only difference is, ours is a DIY project and no one will fire us. :+(

I hope that what I'm thinking is wrong, but if your GC has underbid the tile work by that much, I'd be concerned about the people he's hiring and how qualified they are to do the job. You said several weren't "up to the task" already and that's one RED Flag. The second red flag is that he's not getting enough money from you to pay the people he hires in. You need to forget about that relationship mumbo jumbo crap because getting a job done "on the cheap" is not going to do you any favors, on contrar, it could end up being a nightmare for you. Here's the risk your run: He's underbid your job and you have trusted him to hire people to come in and work on your home. But he hasn't charged you enough to cover the expenses so he doesn't have enough money pay them. When contractors don't pay their subcontractor's they will put lien(s) on YOUR home and of course the contractor will still have YOUR MONEY. I would not be surprised if this is what's happening becasue from the sounds of it, he's charging you only his take on the job. You need to get rid of this guy like yesterday. And if he's had people doing work on your bathroom already, you may need to get lien wavers (I think that's what their called) from the sub contractors to make sure they can't put a lien on your house for non payment.(if by some chance he doesn't pay them) You said it yourself in your post, these guys are desparate only I think you are very mistaken if you don't think clients will get the short end of the stick too. They are trusting and vulnerable, a perfect target. It's times like these that you need to really use good due diligence to make sure you know who you're working with and what the typical cost for what you want done is.

In regards to the liens, I've never had one put on my home, I just used to underwrite loans and if there was a lien it had to be paid before title could be transferred. You should probably find out if your at risk from someone who knows more about it, and how it's applicable to the area you live in but it's important that you find out.

In this neck of the woods, a mechanics lien is enough cause for the bank to foreclose on the mortgage. I know of two families it's happened to in the last year. One deserved it, but the other didn't.

Yeah, the laws vary from state to state, I've never heard of that but I wouldn't be surprised. When I was an underwriter, I was on the west coast and in California a lien will sit until someone wants to sell or refinance, and nothing concerning title can be done until it's cleared.

This is crazy. I had been keeping a paper trail of the problems. Communicating back and forth via email just in case everything went south. I am going to get release of lein agreements for the work performed so far if possible. If not, in Florida where I live, its not so easy for a contractor to screw you over without exposing their licence. It affects the GC if his license is revoked for unfair business practices because of liability and workers compensation requirements. Even if he tries to re-establish business under a new licencse. I started shopping around for new tiler and plumber. Lucky for me the glass installer and electrician were brought in by me.

Bill for an 8 x 8 bathroom with marble 3 x 6 tile in a herring bone pattern from the floor to 36" up the wall all around and 12 x 12 marble on the diagonal in the shower and floors, how much should I expect to pay. I am seeing adds on craig list for $1.20 sq.ft from people who claim to have 30+ years experience.

How should I handle the break up? I have paid for half the job already, but I have not yet reimbursed for material cost.

That's really good that you've been documenting along the way, it may be your saving grace, but not knowing all of the specifics makes it hard for most people in the forum to advise you. If it were me, and I tend lean towards the side of caution, I'd be paying to seek some advise from an attorney. Then I'd for know for sure I wouldn't be ill advised, I'd have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and the best way to accomplish it.

Even in Florida, one of the cheapest states with reference to tile labor (I know-- I lived in Homestead for a few years), what you're talking about shouldn't go for less than about 5.00 a foot, LABOR ONLY. That doesn't include thinset, grout, prep, or anything else. Strictly the labor to install and grout the tile. Where abouts in Florida are you? I know good tile (and a couple of remodeling) contractors all over the state.

With reference to legal advice, I agree with lukkiirish. You're going to need to talk to a professional about your situation with your present GC and tile guy.

I am in Miami, you can email me directly at pbelony at hotmail dot com. I could sure use a few references you trust.

My brother is a lawyer and he loves litigation. I am going to give him a call.