skip to main content

Need Advice RE: Contractor

6 years ago

Last week my basement flooded. The culprit was broken concrete outside the house. I had a contractor come to look at it and he assured me they'd fix the problem area of the concrete immediately "for a couple hundred dollars and you're set."

I got the invoice and it's $800. I called the office and expressed that "a couple hundred dollars" literally means two hundred dollars, not eight hundred. I said I was willing to work with them up to $300 and am waiting for their reply.

Thoughts?

Featured Answer

PRO

GN Builders L.L.C

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

$200 is $200 and $300 is $300, etc

A "few hundred" means just that... anything from $200-900 it all depends how each individual looks at things.

You, not a mind reader, to you a few hundred means $200, pay him the $200 and don't worry about it. He should have given you the exact amount from the get-go, it's his business and he should be clear about the price... same as you should have asked for the exact amount.

Lesson learned on both sides

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

jellytoast
6 years ago
A couple = two so the verbal agreement was for $200.00.
Joe BigBlue thanked jellytoast
Joe BigBlue
Original Author
6 years ago
They just emailed me back offering to drop it to $400.

I'm not going for that.

I'll offer $300.
Related Discussions
Need urgent advice - contractor seeded my lawn with cheap seed!
Q
Comments (21)
An update: First, thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up blowing off some of the contractor's seeds with a leaf blower. Then I put down a thin layer of compost, re-seeded with my quality blend, and put down starter fertilizer. The contractor said he seeded with "Tri blend Rye". I guess this is a perennial Rye blend? Will PR die in NJ (zone 7) in about a year? I have my fingers crossed that my TTFF/KBG outcompetes his Rye. How can I tell the difference between TTFF, KBG, and Rye seedlings?
...See More
Need re-upholstery advice (and maybe rug advice, too)
Q
Comments (2)
Here's an update: I bought a new rug. The picture quality is not the greatest as I took it with my phone, but here it is: It is returnable, so I would like some thoughts on it! I love the colour (a mixture of blues and browns), and I think the pattern will help hide our day to day messes (compliments of Bandit, on the loveseat, and her two teenagers!) I also like that it is a less traditional feel than the old rug. I went on my first fabric hunting trip yesterday, but came up empty. I'm still not sure what direction to go for the chairs. Thanks, Carrie
...See More
Need reviews for my parents re: contractor, faucet, sink
Q
Comments (3)
I realize all that, but am being mindful that they are not looking to tear the kitchen apart. If this is what they want to do, I can only help them to a certain extent. According to the contractor, their cab boxes are wood (and not chipboard), and are worth refacing. Of course, this is the guy's business, so it would be to his benefit to say that. This person was someone they'd seen at a home show, and I think they had the guy out to see if it would even be feasible to do this, and to get an idea as to what sprucing their kitchen would cost them. Whether or not they would look into new cab cost as a basis for comparison, I have no idea.
...See More
Advice re: painting contractor dispute and standards for exterior prep
Q
Comments (27)
I think I have the same siding as you - it looks like Hardi Board. Those nail holes look wrong to me. If those are on every piece of siding then the original installer didn't know what they were doing. Except in special situations, the nails should be covered by the piece of siding above. There should not be nails down low on the siding. Since those holes should not be there, I would think that filling them would be an extra step. FWIW my neighbor has the same siding and the installer caulked the seams between the boards - the vertical seams. It looks horrible because the caulk is a different texture than the siding so it sticks out. Caulking those holes would probably give you the same result - strange shiny dots on your siding. Having said that, giving water a path into the siding is not good either. But if the house is several years old and that has not been a problem, you are probably fine. On the soffit - I would have someone finish that area with an appropriate soffit material that will accept paint well and hide the 2x4s and plywood that are there now. No amount of paint is going to make that look good.
...See More
Joe BigBlue
Original Author
6 years ago
Guy calls me back saying I'm being very unfair and he's "disappointed" with me.

Told me to send him $200 and lose his number.

See, now that's just wrong. Why make everything sour just because you mis-spoke?

Ridiculous.
millworkman
6 years ago
"See, now that's just wrong. Why make everything sour just because you mis-spoke?"

You also didn't request the pricing in writing. Something both of you should have done for this very reason............................
Joe BigBlue
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You are absolutely correct milworkman. Lesson learned. Always get it in writing before any work is done.
Joe BigBlue
Original Author
6 years ago
Tundra-

They are licensed contractors.
Joe BigBlue
Original Author
6 years ago
You are right GN; should've got it in writing.

His exact words were "a couple hundred".

"A couple" means two in my experience.

I think I was being fair by offering $300.

Not sure why they decided to be so sour between $400 and $300.....
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
An estimate is not a binding number. It’s an educated guess based on what someone thinks it will take them for time and materials. If it takes longer, obviously it costs more on the time and materials type of verbal contract that most handymen use.

A bigger project is likely a flat fee. I have a feeling that you mistook a time and materials for a flat fee.

And I second that you had better start calling some local landscapers to regrade the property as that is likely the underlying issue. A concrete patch on a leaking basement as well be duct tape and baling wire.
Najeebah
6 years ago
"A couple" might literally mean "two."
"A couple" also carries a widely accepted implication of "a few"

Prices are not worked out on language nuances. Prices are explicit figures.
Forget get it in writing, you both went into this with NO agreement of any form, not even verbal. He was wrong, but you were too. Recipe for disaster comes out of the oven as a disaster, sorry.

Give him the 300, and move on. It's a lesson better learnt with these figures than bigger ones.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design

By Buckminster Green LLC

Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor's Tips: 10 Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You

By Buckminster Green LLC

Climbing through your closets and fielding design issues galore, your contractor might stay mum. Here's what you're missing

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: 10 Hats Your General Contractor Wears

By Buckminster Green LLC

Therapist, financial advisor, mediator — for the price of a single good contractor on your remodel, you're actually getting 10 jobs done

CONTRACTOR TIPS How to Check the Quality of a Contractor’s Work

By Hannah Kasper

Make sure your remodeler lives up to promises and expectations before you make the hire

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: What Your Contractor Really Means

By Buckminster Green LLC

Translate your contractor's lingo to get the communication on your home project right

LIFE You Said It: ‘We’re Here to Stay’ and Other Houzz Quotables

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

MOST POPULAR Contractor Tips: Top 10 Home Remodeling Don'ts

By Buckminster Green LLC

Help your home renovation go smoothly and stay on budget with this wise advice from a pro

MOST POPULAR The Polite House: On ‘No Shoes’ Rules and Breaking Up With Contractors

Emily Post’s great-great-granddaughter gives us advice on no-shoes policies and how to graciously decline a contractor’s bid

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: 10 Ways to Get the Remodel You Want for Less

By Buckminster Green LLC

Lighten the load on your remodeling budget without sacrificing your design by heeding this insider advice

WORKING WITH PROS 5 Steps to Help You Hire the Right Contractor

By Dylan Chappell Architects

Don't take chances on this all-important team member. Find the best general contractor for your remodel or new build by heeding this advice

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

gap fill in prefinished hardwood flooring

8

help!!! need ideas!

22

Exterior Makeover Help Needed

12

Questions about water meters/leak detectors

4

Brava roof tile

0