Ugh, that is what i feared! thank you for your response. He’s such a nice guy, but I hear all these horror stories and I don’t want to be one of them.

I agree that your proposal was appropriate.

I finished a gut remodel recently and my contract with the GC was a hybrid of payment methods.

I only paid the 50% in steps when he actually started certain parts of the job. Then the remainder after completion of the "step".

I also paid some of the subcontractors directly - e.g. the plumber, the electrician and the HVAC person who worked on the hood and rerouting some of the A/C pipes. This was done at the request of my GC. ETA - Even with those subcontractors who I paid directly, I only paid 50% to them when they started and 50% when they finished. And their payment was broken into steps as well since there were different segments to the electrical and plumbing work since my remodel was of my whole unit.

I had custom glass and mirror done by a subcontractor selected by my GC. It was for a specific amount for the materials and fabrication/installation plus my GC's contractually agreed upon markup. I can't imagine why the subcontractor would have refused to be paid by me directly even though I did pay my GC for that work - 50% when it was started and 50% when done. As posted by Creative Tile, I would think he is trying to do some kind of juggling act by using funds to pay off more pressing needs because there his "excuse" makes no sense.

In terms of total payments there was a holdback of 10% until everything was completed and any minor glitches cleared up.

BIG RED FLAG!!!

I'd also be concerned that he did the work and especially the waterproofing correctly.

That makes perfect sense to me, and im so glad to hear your experience about paying some of the parties directly. Our GC keeps responding as if that‘s completely taboo and would never happen, as if my suggestion was just totally irrational.

My response to him is- why would the sub care who the money is coming from? The sub cares about being paid.

I like the paying in phases you mentioned, keeps everyone happy and moving forward.

Calofornia Code actually regulates how much a GC can collect. It is limited to 10% on signature and the rest must be stated as progress payments with a down payment at the start of each step and the remainder when completed with a bit of a holdback.

funny that waterproofing was mentioned, my husband checked out the progress yesterday. He has cement board on 2 of 3 walls in the shower, on 3rd shower wall he just put up drywall instead, so husband’s going to talk to him about that too. (Sigh)

I’m glad he’s still working, but I don’t want to feel like i’m ”pounding” him every step of the way.

The biggest red flag is the 10K overall price. Thats 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of an average hall bathroom done by a qualified cntractor.

Cement board is not waterproof any more than the code prohibited drywall is. That all has to be redone properly. This a full stop, make a list, and allow 1 chance to correct. Which he doesn’t have the capability to do. Then fire him. And find someone qualified. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer#chapter-1

For your tile installation project, you want someone who has experience and knowledge of how to install tile correctly, without taking shortcuts, while ensuring that the final installation looks beautiful and performs as it should long after that installer is gone, someone with the proper skill level to do it right the first time.

You want to hire Qualified Labor.

Qualified labor refers to having the most qualified professional perform the scope of the work you are specifying rather than basing the decision on the lowest price.

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook committee strongly recommends using installers who have demonstrated their commitment to their craft and taken the time to stay current with the latest materials and methods. Because tile is a permanent finish, the lowest bid should not be the driving factor, but rather who is the most qualified to perform the scope of the work specified.

The Handbook further defines Qualified Labor being provided by the following non-profit organizations and programs:

• The Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT),
• The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF),
• The International Masonry Institute (IMI) Contractor College Program,
• Journeyman Tile Layer Apprenticeship Program,
• The Marble Institute of America (MIA) Accreditation for Natural Stone Tile Installation Contractors,
• The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Five Star Contractors Program,
• The Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA) Trowel of Excellence Program.

From a technical perspective, qualified labor means having successfully demonstrated a tile installer's skills that meet tile industry standards and best practices. That is what the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program does. The CTI designation identifies the professional installer who has reached a level of proficiency to independently and consistently produce a sound tile installation that displays good workmanship. It is the only third-party assessment of tile experience and knowledge.

Certified Tile Installers routinely demonstrate the knowledge, skill, experience, time management abilities and other traits needed to produce high quality, long lasting, successful installations using Tile Industry standards and methods along with time-tested proven best practices which are in place in the United States.

The biggest red flag is the 10K overall price. Thats 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of an average hall bathroom done by a qualified cntractor.

She said this was mostly labor, so it may well be a reasonable price.

That said, I'm with everyone else: big red flag, don't get ahead in your payments and make sure he's giving you a good, waterproofed shower. Cement board + waterproofing membrane. What's the shower floor? A pan or tiled?

You could also tell him to drop the shower door from the contract, and work directly with a door fabricator of your choice.

I agree with Mama Cita - work directly with the fabricator - the $2k that the contractor is quoting you may be “padded” - you might end up getting it for a bit less if you work directly with the glass guys.

Can you take pics of what he's done and post here so the pros can make sure he's doing it correctly?

That pattern of behavior sounds like some of the addicts I have known. Person looks at job and seems to know how to do the project. Submits cheaper bid than other contractors and gets customer to buy most materials. Takes a big down stroke, comes in and starts tearing everything apart quite quickly. Doesn't take long before the days get shorter and he doesn't show every day, even after he confirms he will be there on a specific day.

Doesn't take much longer when there is a request for more money and a somewhat plausible reason. One concerning sign of an addict is the need for money on short notice.  No comments in advance about needing a specific amount of money when a particular milestone is met is a red flag. I like the pay directly to the supplier suggestion and the denial isn't surprising. Chances are the supplier does need some money up front but it is probably more like $750 and $1250 towards his November 1st rent/mortgage payment. Addicts don't usually tell a complete lie but they certainly aren't giving you the entire story. Plus, there will always be some reason that you are unable to confirm the story with the third party, like they won't deal with homeowners. Even if you pay the contractor, he will likely tell the shower door supplier how this unreasonable customer refuses to pay anything until the project is finished. Another interesting approach is splitting the request and see how eager they are to collect any money. Addicts want their fix now and are willing to split payments or discount an amount to get their money faster. Another giveaway is whether the person goes MIA after getting paid. Addicts will know down to the last dollar how much money is left in the contract but they end up short because they don't remember all the expenses that final payment is supposed to cover. Then they start on a new job taking another big down payment which gets used to pay for the rest of the previous job. 

I do not know the situation and I am not saying the contractor has a drug, alcohol or gambling problem. My comments are a reference to common behavior patterns that I have seen working with construction guys who have been through rehab for drug/alcohol issues. Some of the addicts are quite skilled and do very good work while they are sober. Unfortunately very few people manage to get clean and stay sober on their first attempt. There are many chances for customers to become collateral damage when addicts are trying to convince themselves they are managing just fine and don't have a substance abuse problem

Thanks to all for the responses! Here’s the latest update. He didn’t disappear yet. Still moving forward (albeit at a snail’s pace.) We held firm on the 2k thing, and eventually he told us he went ahead and ordered the shower door (without any additional upfront $$ from us.)

We happened to talk to a neighbor who is a certified building contractor, and he offerred to come over and take a look at the work (although not finished, it’s getting close.)

He found a number of issues that need fixed- lots of holes in the grout, a lot of missing drywall screws, multiple gaps in the drywall /sheets that do not extend out long enough (looks like he just scrapped together some pieces instead of using another piece and cutting it properly,) electrical wire that’s knicked and also protruding out of a corner that is supposed to be drywalled soon (how that was going to work, I do not know) and apparently he was supposed to plug 2 pipe openings that have been sitting open this whole time that were supposed to be plugged until such time that the new toilet, etc is installed. (there is zero smell, so it doesn’t seem like they’re emitting sewer gas /fumes, but plugging them seems logical so im a bit perterbed they’ve been sitting like this for 3-4 weeks now.) I hope I never have to do another remodel. Just going to buy a new house next time. 😒

And Lyndee Lee, I think you’re right on target. A lot of what you said has been 100% accurate. Especially about his work days getting shorter and shorter since the beginning. I feel bad for the guy, I do think he has a problem of some kind.

This is one time I didn't want to be right.  I hope you can keep focused on the project and keep your discussions focused on the current situation, not rehashing past issues. It is very difficult when you want to strangle them and throw their tools away! Try to keep your discussions positive and remind him that you will be very happy to give him his final payment. If he doesn't think he is going to get his last payment, getting him to finish will be amost impossible.  Even if you think he doesn't deserve that money, keep reminding yourself that the objective is to get the project completed. When he does show up, thank him for being there instead of complaining that he didn't show until midday.  Good luck!