ESTIMATING ERRORS & COST OVERRUNS

(or Why Jobs Go Over Budget)

In This Article
Omissions
Wrong Assumptions
Inadequate Allowances
Price Changes
Unclear Plans and Specs
Cost-Plus Bids
Hidden or Concealed Conditions
Construction or Design Errors
Design Changes
Read & Post Comments View all ESTIMATING articles

Cost overruns from estimating errors are an unfortunate fact of life in construction. There are many ways for jobs to go over budget – that is, cost you more than you or your contractor (or sub) estimated. While some of items discussed below are not typically considered “estimating errors,” all can drive up costs beyond the estimate or bid price. That means someone needs to come up with additional money at the end of the job. Either the contractor makes less profit or you have to come up with extra cash. Who pays for cost overruns is largely determined by your contract.

If you are working with a contractor who has given a fixed bid, then most cost overruns cut into his profits, although many can still be passed on to you. If you are your own contractor, or working with a time-and-materials or cost-plus contract, then most of the cost overruns will come out of your pocket. Cost overruns are probably the most common cause of disputes in building and remodeling projects.

The main types of estimating errors are:

Omissions: These are items accidentally left out of the estimate – either soft costs (permits, fees, etc.) or hard construction costs. Omissions may be due to items missing from the plans and specs that were, therefore, not included in the estimate and bid.
Wrong assumptions: These are items that you assumed were covered under a contractor’s or subcontractor’s bid, but aren’t. Or you may have assumed that a standard septic system would be approved, but a $30,000 mound system is required.
Inadequate allowances: You may get an estimate from a contractor or subcontractor with a material allowance that’s too low, a very common problem.
Price changes: Material cost or labor costs may rise between the estimate and the project.
Novel materials/techniques: Every new material or building technique has a learning curve. Even allowing a little extra time, you may find that it takes a lot longer than planned.

Other reasons that actual costs may exceed estimated costs include:

Unclear or incomplete plans and specifications: The absence of clear plans leaves much room for disagreement about what, exactly, was bid on. This can lead to change orders and extra costs for extra work.
Cost-plus bids: Unless you have a guaranteed maximum, the final cost is unknown, and often more than you estimated.
Job-site surprises: hidden conditions (insect damage or wood decay in remodeling, underground ledge or water problems, etc.) In some cases, these could and should have been detected by more diligent investigation.
Construction/design errors: If you build something wrong, have to tear it out and build it again, you may be able to get someone else to pay – the architect, a sub, a supplier – but most likely you’ll end up paying for it twice.
Owner changes: You, the owner, may decide to use better windows, roofing, flooring, etc., during the project; or decide to move walls, windows, etc., after installation.

OMISSIONS

It’s easy to accidentally leave things out of an estimate, especially soft costs, but construction items are also easy to forget, especially for the inexperienced. As for soft costs, don’t forget all your permits and fees, which can add up to many thousands of dollars. Then there are the not-so-obvious costs like temporary power, dumpsters, and site prep.

Land development costs are often much higher than expected. Finally, basic construction items like fasteners and hardware, window jamb extensions, or household exhaust fans are easy to overlook, as are finishing touches like bathroom accessories or topsoil and landscaping. Each mistake can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Some examples: One contractor I know forgot to add sales tax to his entire materials estimate for a new house – ouch! On one project I forgot to add the cost of the well pump, trenching, and plumbing to the house from the well. On a house I had built by a contractor/developer, I did not know the town had a per-bedroom impact fee of a few thousand dollars. It was not included in the supposedly “turnkey” price.

My advice: Your best tool to help avoid omissions is a good checklist and detailed plans and specifications. If items are not included in the plans and specs, the bids you receive may are likely to also exclude these. You can use the list in the estimating worksheet as a starting point.

WRONG ASSUMPTIONS

This is a broad and potentially costly category that takes vigilance to steer clear of. If you hear yourself saying, “But I thought that was included in the price” then you’ve experienced this first hand.

These problems are usually related to unclear communication of expectations via plans, specs, and work descriptions (scope of work) in the contract. It turns on what you expect that a contractor or subcontractor will provide for the price quoted, and what items may cost extra – or are specifically excluded from their scope of work. An experienced contractor knows what to expect from his subcontractors, and which details must be put in writing in the contract.

It’s hard to generalize as to what is a standard scope of work for a certain trade, as these things vary from region to region, and to some extent from sub to sub. Some subs hang and finish drywall; others to just one or the other. Some foundation contractors will provide excavation, formwork, concrete delivery, dampproofing, drainage, and backfill; others will do just the formwork, and you will need to hire an excavator, order concrete from a ready-mix company, and hire another company to damp-proof or waterproof the foundation. Again, the key is to make sure that every step in the construction process and every material is covered under someone’s bid.

Some examples: I recently spoke with a new homeowners who were hit with a surprise $20,000 bill for “cut and fill” that the general contractor did not include in his estimate and bid. They assumed anything related to rough grading would have been included in the earthwork estimate, but not in this case. The cost of fill happened to be very high in their area. Early in my building career, I assumed the well driller on a new home project had included the well pump, trenching, plumbing to the house, and pressure tank in his bid. Turns out it included just the well, casing, and cap.

On another house I contracted, the leach pit had to be located partway under an unpaved road that occasionally carried garbage trucks, UPS trucks, etc. As they were completing the job, I asked the installer if the cap could handle vehicle traffic. “No, but we’re just putting in what was specced.” I had assumed that the septic system designer and installer, both of whom were very experienced and knew the area, would have caught this. Luckily I did and we were able to install a truck-worthy cover along with the required vent for a modest upcharge.

My advice: The best solution to these oversights is clear communications in the plans, spec, and contract, so that all parties know what is expected. If you are hiring subs directly, you should provide each sub with a full written description of his or her scope of work, along with detailed plans and specifications. That should eliminate most of these misunderstandings.

Make sure each subcontractor’s bid includes a full description of what exactly they are providing (or not providing). Don’t make any assumptions – ask a lot of questions (So, this leach field can handle vehicle traffic, right?) If anything on your list is not included in a subcontractor’s bid, you will probably end up paying for it as an “extra.” The same goes for your contract with a general contractor or construction manager. In construction and real estate, if it’s not in writing, it’s not worth much.

INADEQUATE ALLOWANCES

To keep their bids attractive, many contractors put in unrealistically low allowances. Let’s say your contract contains a $5,000 allowance for kitchen cabinets, but you end up choosing cabinets that cost $8,000. You now owe $3,000 extra, plus taxes, and even more if the contractor charges markup on allowance upcharges. He may even charge extra to install the more expensive cabinets.

My advice: Find out beforehand how the contractor prices allowances – and start out with realistic allowances for the quality level you want. The best solution, when feasible, is to pick materials early so the estimate reflects actual costs. In a competitive bidding situation, some contractors will purposely put in low allowances to keep their overall bid low. Read more about Allowances in Contracts.

PRICE CHANGES

Prices of some building items, especially commodities like drywall and plywood, can undergo dramatic price swings due to real or perceived shortages. And prices of everything else tend to rise over time. Best to check material prices before committing to an estimate and to negotiate with suppliers to lock in prices for the project.

UNCLEAR PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Unclear plans and specifications are a very common problem on small jobs where people don’t want to take the time to draw and specify every detail. However, it can be a much more expensive problem on large jobs where there are more dollars at stake. So make sure your construction drawings are accurate and complete, and come with detailed written specifications.

Some examples: A contract with the vague specification to “Replace one window with comparable and patch to match existing” could lead to disputes about what type of window and how closely the contractor is to match the existing trim and finishes. The difference in cost between the contractor’s and owner’s interpretation of the contract might be a few hundred dollars. On a home with 25 windows, an unclear window specification could lead to a disagreement over thousands of dollars – for example, when the contractor was thinking solid vinyl windows and the owner was thinking vinyl-clad wood windows.

On one of my very first jobs as a contractor, my partner and I were repairing two bathrooms in a factory damaged by fire. When it came time to install the faucet sets, mirrors, towel racks, toilet paper holders, etc., we had in mind basic “builder grade” items, which we had based our bid on. Our customer had in mind high-end commercial-grade, chrome hardware with all the bells and whistles. Since we did not write a clear spec or include an allowance clause, we ate the extra cost. An expensive lesson learned!

My advice: Specify, specify, specify. Be very clear about the products you want installed, how you want them installed, and what the final job should look like. Be wary of phrases such as “in a workmanlike manner” or “match existing” without a clear and objective description of materials and workmanship.

COST-PLUS BIDS

As the old saw goes, if you’re not sure how long a job can take, hire someone hourly. Avoid these types of bids if at all possible. If a sub refuses to give a fixed bid, find another who will – or who will at least provide a guaranteed maximum.

There are, however, a few legitimate cases where a fixed bid is difficult to provide. For example, some ledge may be visible may be visible at the surface or in test pits, but how much will need to be removed underground is unknown. Or where some structural damage from insects or decay is visible, but the extent cannot be easily determined. Even if a contractor were willing to make a fixed bid, it might be unreasonably high to protect himself from the unknown.

My advice: Hire a reputable and knowledgeable contractor. Spend a little extra up front to gather as much information, and eliminate as much uncertainty, as possible. Dig more test pits to locate the ledge. Do more examination and test borings of lumber to evaluate damage to framing. Call in an expert if necessary to assess the damage. Then negotiate either a fixed price or a price defined by measurable parameters. For example, the cost to replace rotted sills will be X dollars per linear foot of sill replaced. The cost of removing ledge will be X dollars per cu. yd. of ledge removed. Then ask for a cap on the bid. Read more about Cost-Plus Contracts and 10 Reasons to Avoid Them.

HIDDEN OR CONCEALED CONDITIONS: JOB-SITE SURPRISES

These are sometimes referred to as Hidden Conditions or Concealed Condition s in contracts. In remodeling, examples include such things as concealed insect damage or wood decay, concealed electrical or plumbing lines that need to be replaced because they are damaged or out of compliance with modern codes. In new construction, it may be conditions under the ground – ledge, poorly compacted fill, spring water in the excavation, or even radon.

If the contractor’s bid has a Concealed Conditions clause, these costs will be passed on to you. Without such a clause, who pays for it would be solved by negotiation or, worst case, litigation.

Examples: On a recent job in my area, a customer was unhappy to discover that ditching for utility hookups included a $3,000 extra charge for blasting through ledge. The owner (and maybe the contractor) assumed no ledge would be encountered. On a new development in an upscale suburb, the home buyers were distressed to discover that all the homes on one side of the street were built on uncompacted fill and needed many thousands of dollars of work to shore up the foundations (the cost was picked up by the developer).

On a much smaller scale, I often found concealed problems on remodeling jobs: decay and insect damage hidden under perfectly good looking aluminum coil stock covering the eaves; ancient knob-and-tube wiring illegally buried in blown insulation in an inaccessible attic. One fairly new house I inspected for a potential buyer had massive decay damage that was invisible from both the interior and exterior – see A Rotting Timber Frame case study.

My advice: Hire a reputable and knowledgeable contractor. What is hidden to some, is apparent to others with more experience and a trained eye. Most of these problems have telltale signs. If you or your contractor suspect there will be problems, but are not sure of the extent, bring in a specialist for an hour or two: a geotechnical engineer for subsurface water issues, a licensed termite inspector for insect damage, etc.

Get a handle on the probably scope of work so you can establish a fixed price for most of the work, combined with a reasonable pricing structure for the unknown portions – for example: X dollars for each linear foot of sill or floor joist that needs replacement. Or X dollars to install a curtain drain or sump pump if subsurface conditions require this. The idea is to link specific prices to specific conditions rather than an open-ended time-and-materials or cost-plus contract.

CONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN ERRORS

An old contractor buddy used to say, “My crews like their work so much, they do everything twice!” In this case, the contractor ate the cost – if you are your own contractor, you will have to absorb the cost, unless it was clearly the fault of the architect or a subcontractor. And even then, it’s not always clear who pays for errors (as the standard architectural contract relieves the designer of most design errors).

Examples: On a large Victorian I renovated, the architect drew a new 3-story stairwell that looked like it would fit, but didn’t – without cutting into the owner’s grand staircase hallway. The cost of the extra work was modest (I absorbed it), but the client was not too happy about the appearance. On another remodeling job where I was the general contractor, a plumbing subcontractor cut through every floor joist in a large room in order to get adequate pitch on a bathroom drain. I brought in a structural engineer for quick consult and we were able to fix the mess by removing the plaster ceiling below and screwing heavy plywood to the underside of floor joists to create box beams.

More recently, a local contractor installed a skylight on a nearly flat roof, telling the client, “The manufacturer does not recommend installing this skylight on less than a 15% slope (about 3 in 12), but I’ve done several this way and never had a problem.” Needless to say, the skylight leaked, and after several repairs, the extension curb recommended by the manufacturer was installed, solving the problem.

My advice: Hire good people who know what they are doing – they are less likely to make major blunders. Most contractors hate “callbacks,” and will do whatever they can to avoid them. But sometimes the desire to maximize profits (or reduce losses on a job they underbid) motivates tradespeople to cut corners.

Clear and complete plans and specifications will help. Include language that the contractor is to “install all products and materials according to the manufacturer’s written instructions.” If anything seems fishy to you in the plans or during construction, don’t be shy. Ask the installing contractor a lot of questions. If you’re not satisfied with their answers, get a second opinion. Check with your local code official, structural engineer, or other professional before proceeding. Or call the product manufacturer or their regional rep – they want their product installed correctly. It’s time and money well spent.

DESIGN CHANGES

A change to the plan, once construction begins, usually generates a change order, and a price increase. Some changes are required due to design errors or omissions. Some are required by code officials who rightly or wrongly say that some aspect of your house is in violation of the building code (many code regulations are open to interpretation). However, the biggest cause of changes on most jobs are you, the owner, who decides late in the game to use better windows, roofing, flooring, etc; or decides to move walls, windows, etc., after installation.

Some changes, for example, to use more expensive wood flooring, can be handled by a simple upcharge or an allowance, if one was written into the contract. Others, like changing from vinyl flooring to tile, might require tearing out and replacing the underlayment as well as structural reinforcement to make a stiffer floor. It’s understandable that once you are able to walk around in your newly framed home or addition, you might realize the view would be so much nicer if the big picture window moved over a couple of feet. Or that you’d like a little extra elbow room in the bathroom or walk-in closet. If so, don’t wait – the sooner you make the change, the cheaper it will be.

My advice: Plan, plan, plan, and make as many decisions as possible before starting construction. It’s much easier and cheaper to move a line on a drawing than to move a real wall or window. With today’s 3-D design tools, it’s easier than ever to visualize your new space before digging a hole or banging a nail. Most programs let you walk through the imaginary space and view it from any angle.

While I find these tools fun to play with and very useful, whenever possible I also like to experience the real space – or as close to it as possible. Regarding views, chalk or string out the house (or addition) footprint on the lot, draw the rooms with chalk and walk around. Climb a tree or A-frame ladder to get 2^nd story views. Regarding room sizes, mark them out in your current house – use furniture, boxes, masking tape, or string to help you visualize the space. For sinks, showers, tubs, and other functional items where a few inches can make a big difference, try to see the actual item in a showroom. Don’t be shy — walk or climb into the sample on display. If that’s not possible, get the dimensions from a catalog, or online, and make a model out of cardboard or plywood.

I recently installed a 42-in. neo-angle (corner) shower stall and discovered in my research that some 42-in. units were 30% larger than others. The smaller ones were uncomfortably small; the larger ones just right. I’ve done similar testing with soaking tubs which range from shallow and short to deep and spacious. Do you want to fit one or two people? How many gallons of water do you want to heat? Do the research to find the right balance between gallons and comfort for your particular needs.

Along these same lines, visit home shows, home centers, and suppliers of flooring, windows and doors, and other materials to see the products you are considering. There’s no substitute for putting your hands on an actual sample. The more you can nail down before you start building, the less you will spend on changes during construction.

Comments

FirstTimer says

October 2, 2023 at 8:23 pm

I Don’t Trust Contractor’s Vague Estimate

I’m embarking on my first kitchen and bathroom remodel. I have a General Contractor handling everything except cabinets which is being done on a separate contract. At the moment I’m most concerned with the super vague estimate my GC provided for the kitchen and bathroom work which includes removing a drop ceiling, removing 3 non-load bearing walls, A/C duct work, cutting into the concrete foundation to relocate plumbing and electrical, installing new doors throughout, tiling 2 walk-in showers, and all dry-wall repairs and painting. The GC has 6 different subcontractors (drywaller, painter, plumber, a/c specialist, concrete cuter, and bathroom glass company). I’m most concerned about the vague contract and the fact that he’s only had 1 tradesman come in to look at the job which was the a/c specialist. My concern is about the potential for the estimate to quickly balloon once each of these trades show up to complete the job. What is the best way to remedy these concerns?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  October 2, 2023 at 10:34 pm
  
  You are wise to not trust vague estimates and are asking very good questions early in the process – a good sign. Construction projects are inherently full of risk and much of the planning process should focus on reducing and managing these risks. This is accomplished though choosing the right contractor, obtaining clear plans and specifications, getting accurate cost estimates, using a well-written contract, and establishing a fair payment schedule.
  
  Of all these issues, choosing a competent and trustworthy contactor is the most important – because the best plans and contract in the world won’t produce a good job at a fair price if the contractor is unskilled or dishonest.
  
  I’m not sure how far along you are in this project or what type of contract you have – or whether you have a written contract at all. Your question suggests that you are working on a cost-plus contract – whether written or verbal. With this arrangement, the risk of cost overruns falls primarily on the owner. If the job takes longer or costs more than expected, the owner is responsible for the extra costs. It’s a rare job that does not end up costing more than expected, so this a very risky proposition for the owner.
  
  Some contractors do a lot of cost-plus work and provide highly detailed estimates, which prove to be reasonably accurate. In too many cases, however, cost-plus jobs run way over budget and end up in disputes with the owner,
  
  You can reduce your risk in cost-plus contracts by establishing a maximum price in your contract. This requires a detailed set of plans and specifications, which you should have at the start of any job. You can also reduce the risk of cost overruns by minimizing the use of allowances,
  
  and avoiding design changes after construction has begun. In short, plan, plan, plan before you start construction. Nail down plan details, product selections, labor and material costs, payment schedules, and other details before starting construction.
  
  Ideally, get a fixed price contract for the job. A fixed price might be a little higher than the estimate provided by a cost-plus contractor, but the cost-plus estimate is non-binding. It’s a best guess of what the contractor thinks the job might cost. In the end, the cost often exceeds a fixed price bid – sometimes by a wide margin.
  
  Reply
Audrey Kill says

November 30, 2022 at 4:16 pm

Our contractor stated that he did not add in the price of luan to our floor installation, because he didn’t think we may need any. I find that hard to believe from an experienced contractor. I know that subfloor is always a consideration. I’ve had other floors done. The contract states installation of xyz flooring at a specific price. How was I supposed to know that luan wasn’t included.

It’s written very generically. He also underestimated the amount of flooring required. Do we pay for the extra? I think not!

I believe that this highly recommended contractor wants to make up ($) for some errors he’s already made on our job.

How do we handle this?
We decided to purchase the bathroom vanity and countertop because his price would have been astronomical. He was fine with that. When it came time to demolish and install, he stated that it’s no longer in the contract, since we were going to buy the materials I went back to our contract and he neglected to remove the word vanity on the revised contract, therefore we feel that he should complete the job.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  December 1, 2022 at 11:37 am
  
  Sorry to hear that things are not going too well on this job. Many small jobs are done with a poorly written contract or none at all. So when disagreements arise, it’s left to the two parties to negotiate a solution.
  
  It sounds like your contract did not have a clear “scope of work,” that is a detailed description of the work to be completed. Underlayment is usually installed over the subflooring for laminate and other types of thin flooring, but is usually not needed with solid 3/4-in. hardwood – unless the subfloor is uneven or in poor condition. Not sure which type of flooring you have or the conditions, but worth discussing the pros and cons with the contractor.
  
  As for the extra material needed, who is responsible for the cost depends on whether this was a fixed-price contract or cost-plus. The term “estimate” is sometimes used to mean a guaranteed bid price (fixed-price bid) and sometimes is just an educated guess (cost-plus). If it is not clear which type of contract you have, then you will need to negotiate.
  
  Finally, regarding the vanity and countertop, you could try to force the contractor to complete the work, but you might be better off keeping that portion of the money and finding another contractor. If nothing has gone well so far, why prolong the agony for both parties.
  
  Reply
Jeff Richards says

July 19, 2020 at 11:06 am

Can Contractor Cancel Contract Due to Estimate Errors?

What happens when my independent sales person sells a job, has the customer sign our contract, and collects a deposit — and I go out to site survey it and discover it is completely underbid and requires additional work that I am not licensed to do. The customer refuses to pay for the extra work and is threatening me. He is saying that if i don’t work for him (at a loss) that he will get it done by someone else and sue me for the difference. No work has started.

Can I just return deposit and walk away?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  July 20, 2020 at 10:15 am
  
  If both you and the owner signed the contract and you took a deposit, then you are legally obligated to complete the work for the price agreed to.
  
  If you did not yet sign the contract, you are in a stronger position to refund the deposit money with an apology and explanation that the salesman made some big errors in his estimate and you cannot, therefore, honor the contract.
  
  This doesn’t mean he won’t sue you, but it’s unlikely given the time and expense involved. Also it’s unlikely that the owner would win a lawsuit as it would be hard for him to prove that he suffered any real financial harm. Nonetheless, a lawsuit would cost you time and money to defend.
  
  For that reason, you would be wise to consult with a lawyer before taking any action. He can advise you on the best way to proceed to protect yourself. Please note: I am not a lawyer.
  
  There are state and federal laws protecting consumers from unscrupulous home improvement contractors and laws that allow consumers to cancel contracts within a certain number of days — called “rights of rescission. Some states also have laws allowing homeowners to cancel contracts under specific conditions.
  
  Contractors do not have similar protections from unscrupulous customers. In general, they can only terminate a contract for a material breach of contract by the client. Hopefully you can negotiate a mutually agreeable solution to this problem without anyone going to court — always the most expensive and time-consuming way to settle a dispute.
  
  Reply
John Vanderheyden says

February 22, 2020 at 4:54 am

Who Should Pay for Unused Materials?

We are building a log home in Tennessee. Our contractor submitted the materials order to a log mill company to produce the logs and timbers for the cabin. I paid for the materials and the home was recently dried in. However, i discovered that there were about 65 logs left over that equalled about 750 linear feet of logs not needed. The log mill company will not refund the money for the logs due to special order status. The builder claims he doesn’t know why we have so many left over. The log overage comes up to be around $2500.00 we paid. Who should be responsible for this amount?

thanks

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  February 22, 2020 at 9:36 am
  
  When mistakes are made, no one is eager to jump in and say “my fault…I’ll pay for it.” So some level of negotiation is often involved in working out a solution.
  
  The key issues are who estimated the quantity of logs, who made the purchase, and what does the contract have to say?
  
  The most important issue is who came up with the number of logs – the contractor, the mill, or some combination of the two? If the contractor estimated the quantity and placed the order, then the extra cost should be his responsibility (assuming you did not make changes to the plan after the logs were ordered).
  
  If the log supplier came up with the order based on the plan, and the plan provided to them was accurate, then they should be responsible. However, they may have a disclaimer on orders where they do the “takeoff” from the plans. The disclaimer usually states that the estimate is only intended as a rough guide and that final responsibility for the order rests with the owner or contractor. If you or the contractor signed off an order with this type of disclaimer, then you will have a hard time getting the mill to absorb the loss.
  
  It complicates matters if you made the purchase directly from the log mill. Did you write them a check or did the contractor? If you made the purchase directly, then the contractor can argue that you own them. However, if you relied 100% on the contractor’s estimate in making the purchase, I would still hold the contractor responsible. After all, he is professional here who claimed to have expertise in estimating and construction.
  
  Finally, what does the contract say? In a fixed-price contract, you agreed to a fixed price for the house, with or without left-over logs. In general leftover materials belong the contractor. However, with such a large quantity that you paid for, you should have the right to the logs if you want them. In a cost-plus contract, where you are paying the contractor for time and materials plus a mark-up percentage, then you have a stronger case that the contractor should pay for the logs. You are responsible for the cost of materials and labor used in the project – and these were never used.
  
  The contractor claiming he “doesn’t know why” so many are left over doesn’t cut it. It’s his job to know and provide a good explanation – especially if he expects you to pay for them.
  
  Once you figure out who is responsible for the error, you need to decide whether you are willing to absorb any or all of the extra cost. Payment issues like this are often delayed until the final payment is due. If cannot reach a mutually agreeable settlement with the contractor, then you are faced with deducting the amount from the final bill. Before disputing a bill, it’s a good idea to have a quick conversation with a lawyer to make sure you don’t expose yourself to liens or other legal action by the contractor.
  
  Reply
  - Integrity builder says
    
    April 24, 2020 at 12:45 am
    
    Though it does seem to be a very large mistake on someone’s part, it does still hit a very sore spot with me.
    
    So if it was the opposite, and they were 65 logs short who’s responsibility would that be? Yes that is the contractor’s responsibility too. Everything that goes wrong on a project is the responsibility of the contractor. He is supposed to be perfect at his job and know everything, even though the architect, engineer, inspector, have disclaimers that if their inspection misses something, or drawings are not to code…it is the responsibility of the contractor to build to the applicable yadayadayada…. The funny thing is I don’t think the contractor is getting any money back from the log supplier either ( but we are not concerned if he takes a loss, just that you don’t.)
    
    I say you agreed to a particular building height, width, length with x amount of this, and x amount of that, and agreed on a price for it. Therefore if that is what you received, …….you got what you paid for. I am most certain you would not agree to pay for more logs if they were needed..
    
    I have had people question costs after completing a project in timely/efficient manner…. asking what the final bill was (on a fixed bid job that I was low bidder) when l responded the amount we agreed upon they said ” well I thought it should be lower since it did not take you so long” again I’m sure they would have paid more if I was slow!!! But because I was fast, efficient, and still did high quality work, I should charge them less….. Go figure.
    
    Most people think contractors are out to get them, when it is very much the other way around, wanting items estimated four different ways for free, or wanting to show you someone else’s bid thinking you will cut your price to get the job. I am truly blessed that I do not have to deal with these types of people any more.
    
    After 15 years as a commercial superintendent dealing with incomplete plans, generic specifications that “cover everything with a blanket statement”, code enforcement that didn’t know a stand pipe for a urinal from a vent pipe, and owners that delay projects by indecision/changes because they didn’t plan their own project and think because they say that’s “ not what I envisioned” (lol) that it means it is the contractor’s place to stand around unpaid and redesign or fix someone else’s poor design and/or planning.
    
    I too have eaten many mistakes over the last twenty years being in business for myself. I have even eaten many that were someone else’s mistake — the owner, my employees, suppliers, all of which have nicer houses, and cars. And it’s ok because I have never once needed a lawyer….. but if I had it would most likely gone in my favor.
    
    Reply
    - buildingadvisor says
      
      April 24, 2020 at 7:25 pm
      
      When jobs go over budget, there’s often a lot of blame to go around: fuzzy plans and specs, estimating errors, design errors, customers changing their minds, hidden or changed conditions, code enforcement requirements. To minimize these problems, my advice is always the same. Start out with clear and complete plans and specs, a detailed estimate, a full contract, and a reasonable bid (not a low-ball price). Communicate often and early with the client so that, if problems do arise, there’s a good chance you can work things out peacefully. Solving problems with lawyers in rarely a good idea — except for the lawyers. A compromise over disputed costs is often the best solution. If everyone is a little unhappy, then that’s probably the best you could do.
      
      Reply
Molly Hermes says

January 12, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Fixed Price Contract: Should We Pay For Work That Was Cut?

We just built a house with a fixed-price contract. The budget included items that ended-up not being needed or done such as an extra chimney cap, extra threshold and weatherstripping (we removed a door), cut brick on a vent hood, Kerfed door we decided to have cased instead,…) Are we responsible for payment of items we and the builder eliminated? We didn’t write change orders for deletions, just overages.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  January 12, 2020 at 6:20 pm
  
  The short answer is no, you should NOT have to pay for items that were included in the original fixed bid, but later cut from the project.
  
  It sounds like your contractor was eager to write change orders for additions to the work, but less enthusiastic about writing “deductive” change orders.
  
  Deductive change orders are the formal procedure for refunding the client for work that was excluded from the final project. Depending on the the contractor’s policies, you may or may not receive the full marked-up price of the work that was cut.
  
  In some cases the contractor has spent some time estimating the work item, perhaps ordering and returning materials, and possibly having to do extra work related to the change of plan. In that case, they may have a legitimate reason to not refund the entire amount – analogous to a “restocking” fee from a store.
  
  Still you should receive a refund for most of the cost of the work that was cut. If the contractor does not offer this, then you may need to provide a friendly reminder.
  
  Reply
RM says

November 26, 2018 at 6:25 pm

Who Pays For Overlooked Item on Plans?

We live in California, County of Los Angeles. We just completed a new construction. The contractor included a contingency amount of 3% in his contract which was a contract ‘to build per plan’. When the construction was finished, we realized that we had been over billed by $4,000 for the concrete and wall amount we were quoted. When we pointed this out to our contractor, he told us that he ‘overlooked’ this wall on the plans and this is what the contingency budget is for.

We have done some research on what a contingency fund can be used for by a contractor. Most sites mention unpredictable changes/change orders of the owner, price increases, and errors in construction documents. We are hoping to get some clarification on this subject.

The plans were never changed and included all the concrete work and walls. The plans clearly showed a retaining wall behind the existing garage and all along the west-side of the new construction.

Since this was not a change in plans, or a change order by the owner, or something not showing on the plans….We are wondering if this is really a cost that needs to be covered with the contingency budget.

We think if this retaining wall was just ‘overlooked’ by both – the contractor and the sub contractor -when bidding the job, this cost should not have to be covered by the owner.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  November 27, 2018 at 12:07 pm
  
  Assuming your contractor signed a fixed-price contract, he should stick to the original price, unless you requested changes to the work or, as you mentioned, there were unpredictable changes that could not be reasonably anticipated or discovered during the original bidding process. These might include:
  
  -errors in the plans (this would become the designer’s responsibility)
  –changed or hidden conditions on the job site
  -price changes in materials, if allowed in the contract
  –allowances that were exceeded
  -changes required by code/zoning officials that could not be reasonably anticipated
  
  It sounds like none of these conditions apply. The contractor simply made an estimating mistake, so he should absorb the extra expense unless the contract provides for this type of price adjustment. The fact that the contractor did not issue a change order and waited until the end of the project to charge you for the “extra” work are further evidence that he made a mistake and is trying to recoup the money.
  
  That said, you need to decide, as a business and personal decision, how you wish to respond. You can comply with the request for money, contest it, or negotiate for a compromise.
  
  If everything else went well on the project and you are happy with the work and the overall price (and you believe this was an honest error), then you might decide to pay all or some of the extra amount, especially if it is a small percentage of the contract price. You will be buying goodwill that might come in handy if there are callbacks or warranty issues down the road.
  
  An offer to split the extra costs 50/50 would show goodwill on your part and would, hopefully, be appreciated by the contractor. If you choose to dispute the charges, you might want to speak first with a lawyer about the best way to do this – without exposing yourself to liens or other legal action.
  
  Best of luck in finding an acceptable resolution.
  
  Read more on Fixed-Price Bids Estimating Errors
  
  Reply
Gary says

June 28, 2018 at 10:51 pm

Who Should Pay For Design-Build Cost Overruns?

Great article! I have a remodel underway and could use some perspective on cost several cost overruns. We are doing a full-home remodel and hired a local premiere remodeler that is more expensive than most, but we wanted to avoid fly-by-night, stealing-from-Peter-to-pay-Paul kind of contractors. They are turnkey, so handled everything from concept, design, architecture and of course the build itself.

The contract does have a hidden or changed condition clause which references things like underground rocks, post-tensioning in slab, abatement costs, and the like. It also included a number of homeowner items with a projected budget. We are using a construction loan so there was a lot of review before the project was finalized and loan approved.

We are now having problems with two types of overruns and your insight would be very helpful in figuring where and how much to dig in heals and where we just have to find the money. There are three overruns that they want us to pay for:
1) Fire-suppression sprinkler system (includes upgraded water piping from the main to the house: roughly $12k
2) Upgraded gas meter and trenching to accommodate the increased BTU usage as a result of the remodel: $15K
3) Upgraded gas lines through the house to carry the load, and trenching to upgrade sewage diameter from last toilet to the street: $16K

The sprinklers are a local code due to where we live. This appears to have caught them off guard as construction came to a standstill while we had to wait for them to submit and get permits from the city. As these codes are on the books, and they were responsible for doing all our permits, it seems they should have known about this prior and have to eat the price. Likewise, it seems to me that the new gas meter should have been a foreseeable/researchable issue prior to finalizing the costs of the project and working of the loan.

The last one, gas lines in the house and sewage; all of the gas lines in the house ran through the garage and attic and were not hidden. The sewer line is underground so that is hidden, but given the house was built in 1975, it seems that it should have at least been on their radar that the new sewage demands were likely to be a potential problem.

The homeowner costs are probably less clear-cut and more a matter of us just finding ways to scale back some things, but the paint, flooring and railing bids are totaling 20K above the original budgets which they signed off on. We’re not confrontational folks and really try to meet half-way but this seems like we’re being asked to pay for their mistakes. Your thoughts?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  June 30, 2018 at 9:53 pm
  
  Much of this website is focused on reducing risk and controlling costs on home construction projects. One of the biggest risks and most common problems is cost overruns.
  
  Extra costs sprout like weeds on construction projects. It takes a lot of vigilance, and sometimes some pushback, to keep things under control. No one wants to “eat” extra costs that were unanticipated, so there is often some negotiation and compromise on who absorbs the added cost – the owner, contractor, or designer. Often extra costs are split in a compromise.
  
  In some cases, less-than-scrupulous contractors intentionally leave items out of the plans and specs to keep the bid low, and then make up the money on change orders.
  
  The keys to avoiding cost overruns are a fixed bid (rather than a cost-plus contract), a very complete set of plans and specifications, minimal use of allowances, and a well-written contract.
  
  However, it is nearly impossible for the average homeowner to anticipate every cost and item. To a large extent, the owners must rely on the contractor and/or designer to anticipate all the costs necessary to complete a project. If necessary work is intentionally left out of the contract, the items should be called out as Exclusions to the contract – that is, work that is specifically not included in the contract price.
  
  Code compliance is a necessary part of every project. This is a shared responsibility of the designer and contractor. While contractors are required by law to build in compliance with applicable building codes, in some cases they can escape from liability if they followed the architect’s plan. Since you used a design-build contractor, there is no opportunity for finger pointing. The contractor can’t say, “Well, we built to the plans and specs provided by the architect.
  
  Both the designer and contractor should have a good working knowledge of all applicable codes and standards as well as industry-standard practices for materials and workmanship.
  
  So, on the face of it, it seems reasonable that you would expect the design-build contractor to have anticipated most of this work and included it in their bid, with the possible exception of the buried sewer line. I am assuming here that you were working on a fixed bid rather than a cost-plus contract.
  
  The contractor might argue that there was no way to anticipate the need for a fire-suppression system and the upgraded gas meter and piping. He may claim that these were discretionary and unusual interpretations of the code by the local officials that could not have been reasonably anticipated. You may need to bring in a third party – an architect, construction manager, or building consultant to untangle this one. You can also check with the code officials directly about why these changes were required and if there are clear guidelines that the contractor should have known.
  
  Unless the design-builder has a convincing explanation for not anticipating these costs, I think you should push back. As mentioned earlier, sometimes the solution to these problems is to split the extra cost 50/50. That may feel unsatisfying, but it is usually a lot cheaper than hiring a lawyer. There is enough money at plan here — $63K – and counting that I would definitely get a lawyer’s opinion.
  
  As for the paint, flooring and railing bids are totaling $20K more than the “original budget,” who established this budget? If the budget was a non-binding estimate based on assumptions that changed over the course of the project, then I’m not sure what recourse you have.
  
  I always recommend that owners get fixed bids prior to starting construction. Budgets are always optimistic and often unrealistic. Real binding bids are the only number that really matters. However, if the contractor provided these numbers to you based on accurate information, they certainly have some explaining to do. At a minimum, I would ask them for a full explanation of the discrepancy between estimate and actual bid.
  
  Once you start pushing back, it can get uncomfortable. And if you bring a lawyer in, it can get downright chilly. If possible it’s best to haggle over these things at the end of the job. This is only possible if your final payment due is large enough to cover the amount you feel you are due. If you are unable to reach an agreement by negotiation, then you may need to withhold final payment and possibly enter a dispute process. At this point, it is always best to consult with a lawyer to avoid exposing yourself to liens and other legal claims.
  
  I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know how you make out.
  
  Reply
Aaron says

September 18, 2017 at 4:43 pm

Should We Pay Surprise Invoice That Doubles Job Cost?

Thanks for the article. We recently had a contractor in our house for 7 weeks for some basic upgrades (crown molding and base boards, paint, replace light fixture, etc). The original bid/estimated was for 2.5-3 weeks for about $17.500 (can’t returner the exact number). He hired 2 completely inexperienced kids in their mid twenties that he called ‘green’ that he had to constantly correct/train/teach/instruct.

Original bid was for $95/hr labor for 2 skilled tradesmen, what we got was 1 skilled tradesman who was spending all his time trying to keep 2 kids from making mistakes. We ended up removing almost 3/4 of the light fixture moves/installs, completed nearly half the painting ourselves and removed some tile and stone work from the bid all after the work started due to the slow progress.

With constant questions about finish date which was always ‘this Friday’ he gave us an additional bill a few days before he was actually finished that would total 186% of the original bid/estimated cost due to nearly all excessive labor. In short, we were handed an invoice for an additional $14000 that was a complete surprise, no notification of overrun issues.
With that limited amount of info, what’s your opinion?
Thanks in advance
Aaron

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  September 21, 2017 at 7:29 pm
  
  Nobody likes large surprise charges at the end of a job, but unfortunately these are not uncommon on cost-plus jobs. You can read several similar questions and answers in the Comments section of Cost-Plus Contracts.
  
  Essentially, you have entered into a cost-plus contract with this contractor with a non-binding verbal estimate, rather than a written fixed-price bid. I’m not sure if you have a written contract, but it does not sound like it. A written contract would define the conditions under which the price might change and the procedures for notifying you. In a fixed-price contract, this is typically handled with a change order.
  
  I am not a big fan of cost-plus contracts as they place nearly all risk of cost overruns on the homeowner.
  
  Responsibility for the contract is shared by both the contractor and homeowner. Both should insist on a written contract to define the work relationship and to protect themselves. Where there is no written contract, both parties are at risk when there are problems. Some states, such as Massachusetts, require remodeling contractors to provide a written contract so you might start by contacting your state’s consumer affairs office or contractor licensing board, and may want to file a formal complaint.
  
  In the absence of a written contract, most disputes of this sort are settled by negotiation as the costs of bringing a lawsuit generally far outweigh the amount of money under dispute. While a verbal contract may be legally valid, it is difficult – if not impossible – to determine exactly what the agreement was.
  
  I don’t know all the facts, like whether the final job varied significantly from the work covered in the original bid. However, it sounds like you are dealing with a disorganized and unprofessional contractor. Whether or not it was required by contract, it is always a good practice to keep the owner apprised of any significant changes to the cost of a job. While the contractor may not have taken the time to accurately track the cost overruns, it’s hard to believe that he was no aware that costs were running well over the estimate.
  
  Cost-plus contacts are and “open book” approach where the contractor needs to justify all his costs with careful record-keeping. I would start by asking the contractor for a detailed account of his labor and material costs, as well as the markup percentage (or fixed fee for overhead and profit). Once you have these records, you will need to decide how much of the charges are legitimate.
  
  At that point, you may wish to pay what you feel is a reasonable price for the work and then terminate the contract in writing. Before taking this step, I’d suggest speaking with a lawyer about how best to protect yourself against liens or other legal action taken by the contractor. These are legal questions and I am NOT A LAWYER.
  
  Reply
Steve says

August 11, 2017 at 9:13 pm

Should We Pay for Contractor’s Cost Increases?

We just completed our home with a custom builder. We have a contract to construct our home including flat work. The price breakdown included the number of square feet of concrete, which we met. The issue is from the time the contract was signed and the completion of the house, my contractor is saying his cost for labor and the cost of concrete had two price changes. Now he just delivered the final bill and the concrete costs rose $7500. What are my options?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  August 11, 2017 at 9:20 pm
  
  Surprise charges at the end of a job are not uncommon, and are never welcome news to the homeowner.
  
  Ideally, on a fixed-price contract, there should be no surprises at the end of a job. Any changes over the course of the job should have priced with a change order and any additional charges for allowance items should have been priced and agreed to.
  
  Assuming you have a fixed-price contract, and you have not changed the house plan, there is no provision made for material price increases, and nothing states that the prices are only guaranteed for a limited time, then you should not be responsible for the price increase. The contractor takes this risk when making a fixed-price bid.
  
  That said, if are very happy with the work overall, and the contractor has a plausible explanation for why he feels justified in passing through these costs to you, you may choose to meet him half-way.
  
  If he demands full payment, then you may need to speak briefly to a lawyer about the best strategy for withholding payment without exposing yourself to liens or other legal actions.
  
  You can read more about the many ways that jobs pile up extra costs at this link:
  https://buildingadvisor.com/estimating-errors/
  
  Best of luck in working out a mutually agreeable resolution!
  
  Reply
Rita Mildred says

March 15, 2017 at 5:10 pm

Who Pays Extra Allowance Cost?

Our contractor allowed $1,000 for frameless shower walls. The actual cost from his sub is $1,350. Who pays the extra?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  March 15, 2017 at 7:15 pm
  
  The answer depends on how your contract is written, or what you agreed upon verbally (which, of course, is harder to determine).
  
  If this was a typical materials “allowance” in a fixed-price contract, then you would be responsible for the additional cost. This type of “allowance” is a set-aside in the bid for a product that has not yet been selected such as ceramic tile, kitchen cabinets, or, in your case, frameless shower doors. Allowances can also include labor, which sounds like the case here. Any shortfall between the allowance and actual cost is paid to the contractor – or much less frequently leftover money is credited to the owner.
  
  Unrealistically low allowances are a common source of conflict between owners and contractors. Allowances should always be checked by the owner before signing the contract to make sure that they are realistic for the type and quality-level of materials involved. For example, a $2/sq.ft. materials allowance for ceramic tile is much too low.
  
  If, on the other hand, the contractor provided a fixed bid for the entire job and made a mistake in estimating, then he should be responsible for the extra cost.
  
  If it is unclear which type of contract you agreed to, then you will have to work out a mutually agreeable solution with your contractor.
  
  Best of luck!
  
  You can read more here on Allowances Fixed-Price Contracts
  
  Reply
Lindsay says

February 8, 2017 at 11:59 pm

Should We Pay Surprise Charge to Move Pipe?

Hi. We hired a contractor for a portico addition and a new walkway. They chose not to have the person doing the design drawings visit the site in person. When we had the site visit with the sub, the project manager caught a problem that a major pipe line needs to be moved. He even, rather unprofessionally, pointed out that this was the sales manager’s fault for not catching it himself and not having the designer on site prior to the estimate and contract signing.

We now have to have far more plants relocated temporarily while they dig a 6-8 ft. hole and relocate this pipe. Additional permits will also be needed. I just received the change order for the contract and they want $2,000 for the relocation of the pipe and permitting, but said that they are taking care of the landscaping for free.

Had we known the cost of this project was going to be this high, we probably would not have gone forward, but we’re stuck now because if we cancel, the contract says we have to pay them 25% of the original estimate. Are we getting ripped off? It’s a nice gesture for them to handle the landscaping, but on the other hand, they should have known about these problems from the start. They were knowable issues and avoidable on their end. Should we push back?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  February 9, 2017 at 12:34 pm
  
  This type of issue is considered a hidden or changed condition in construction contracts — or may be called a “concealed” or “unforeseen” condition. Many contracts have language that try to pass these costs along to the owner. If the condition was truly hidden and not easily anticipated, or was incorrect on the plans drawn by a third party such as an architect, then the owner often ends up paying – possibly shared by the designer if he made the error.
  
  Architects try to avoid responsibility for this type of error by stamping the plans with language such as “contractor to verify all dimensions and conditions on site before commencing work.” Where a lot of money is involved, the architect’s errors and omissions insurance may cover the loss.
  
  In your case, it sounds like the contractor provided both design and construction services. If that’s the case, then it’s pretty clear that the contractor made the error. Unless the problem was truly hidden and could not have been reasonably anticipated, then the contractor should be responsible for the extra cost. Since the project manager quickly realized the mistake and attributed it to the salesperson, then it seems pretty clear-cut to me.
  
  The contractor saved a few bucks by not visiting the site while designing or estimating the job, but this was false economy. There’s no reason why you should pay for their error.
  
  So you are definitely justified in pushing back. Hopefully, the contractor will take responsibility for the error and pick up all or most of the cost. If not, you will have to decide whether or not to contest the final bill. Make sure that you withhold enough money at the end of the job to retain some bargaining power. If you choose to withhold some portion of the final bill, you may want to speak with a lawyer how best to protect yourself from any construction liens or legal claims by the contractor.
  
  Best of luck in finding a mutually acceptable resolution.
  
  Read more on Hidden or Concealed Conditions in construction contracts.
  
  Reply
  - Lindsay says
    
    February 9, 2017 at 11:11 pm
    
    Hi Steve. I can’t tell you how helpful your advice was. I just responded to the contractor in email and pushed back on having to pay for this error, which was clearly knowable on their part. We do have a hidden conditions clause, but I don’t think that this is covered by that language. In my understanding of the contract terms, they’re in default if they use this as a reason not to proceed. Wish us luck!
    
    Reply
Dean says

January 23, 2017 at 3:07 pm

Who Pays for Error in Material Takeoff by Lumberyard?

Contractor was hired to install siding and Versetta stone for new home construction. Bid was given based off house plan and material list from lumberyard. After install, the final bill for Versetta work came out almost twice the original bid due to an error in material estimates from the lumberyard. Who is liable for the increase in labor? I have already paid for the materials. Also, the final bill was sent prior to all caulking work is completed. Do I need to pay since technically job is not complete?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  January 25, 2017 at 10:47 am
  
  With these types of problems, with multiple parties involved, it is difficult to say who exactly is responsible for an error. Responsibility may be shared. What typically ensues, however, is a lot of finger pointing. As the old saying goes, “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.” In other words, no one will jump to the front of the line and say “I screwed up here.”
  
  The legal answer may lie in the specific language of the contract, any disclaimers made by the parties, and any oral agreements that were made in lieu of a written contract. For example, blueprints are often marked with the words “Contractor to verify all dimensions,” in an attempt to get the designer off the hook for inaccuracies in the drawings. Similarly, the lumberyard probably has fine print somewhere stating that their material takeoffs and estimates should not be relied on for pricing or ordering.
  
  For example, here is a sample disclaimer from one lumberyard:
  
  ESTIMATE DISCLAIMER
  This estimate is designed solely to provide the contractor/consumer with a rough estimate of the amount of material used in the given project. The material estimate will be based upon calculations or data provided by the contractor/customer and such estimate assumes, among other things, normal and typical building and construction techniques. The actual amount of material used may vary from the material estimate due to a number of factors. Consequently, no representation or warranty has been made that the actual amount of material used will not vary from the estimate.
  
  Even though many lumberyards offer “free” material take-offs, few contractors rely on these for bidding as they are often inaccurate and lead to the kinds of problem you are facing.
  
  Also, it’s not clear from your letter whether the error was in the plans, the lumberyard’s estimate, or a change in the plans after the estimate was made – for example, you decided to use stone on a larger area than indicated on the plans. It’s also not clear if the contractor’s bid was a fixed-price bid or cost-plus (time and materials). If it was a fixed-price bid, you have a stronger case that the contractor should absorb the additional labor costs.
  
  If you can untangle all this, you may be able to figure out who is responsible for the error and the extra cost. As a practical matter, you will need to negotiate an agreement acceptable to all parties – or, worst case, eat the loss.
  
  As for whether you should pay in full before the work is completed, definitely not. Again, the key may be in the written contract if you have one. Sometimes, most of the money is due upon “substantial completion,” but you should still hold back a reasonable amount of money until the work is completed to your satisfaction. You can read more here on The Final Check.
  
  Reply
Elaine says

January 2, 2017 at 7:39 pm

Should I Pay A Bill Triple the Quoted Price?

My brother owns a construction company. I asked him to quote demo work in my backyard: demo and remove a wood shed, above ground oval pool with wood deck and demo, remove and build a new 12’x16′ deck with steps on both sides of new deck. He asked me to send photos of what needed to be demolished. He also came to my house to check it out. He quoted me (in writing) $6850 for demo and removal, plus topsoil and seed and new deck. I thought that was a good deal. The entire job was completed in 6 days. They did an awesome job!

However, after the work was completed my brother kept saying to me he needed to discuss the bill because the materials cost more than he quoted. Not once while the guys were working did he or they ever tell me that the deck was costing way more than quoted. For three months after the job was completed I kept asking my brother for the invoice. Finally I just gave him a cashier’s check for $7000 and asked again to send me the invoice. Two weeks before Christmas he has his accounting person send me an invoice with a balance of $11,500 owed!!!! That is the balance after paying the $7000!! So he ended up charging me almost three times the original quote!! What kind of recourse do I have?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  January 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm
  
  The short answer is that the written contract, if you have one, should provide guidance on how to proceed. If you do not have a written contract, then it is more difficult to establish exactly what was agreed to and you will need to negotiate a solution.
  
  The main issues are these:
  1) Was this a fixed-price bid for a clearly defined project (scope of work), or a non-binding estimate for a cost-plus (time-and-materials) job. If it was a fixed bid, then the contractor is obligated to complete the job for the quoted price.
  
  2) Did you or the contractor change the Scope of Work during the course of the project: make it larger, fancier, nicer wood, etc., which would have led to a higher price? If so, these changes and the changed price should have been discussed and agreed to (preferably in writing via a change order before proceeding with the revised plan.
  
  Unless you agreed, under a cost-plus contract, to pay whatever the job ended up costing, or significantly changed to plan, then you should not be liable for the extra charge. Even if you did agree to a cost-plus arrangement, you should have been informed that the job costs were significantly exceeding the estimate. While a surprise invoice like this may not be illegal, it is certainly unprofessional even if it was allowable under the contract.
  
  The first step is to get clarification from the contractor about how he can justify these added costs and why he did not inform you sooner. If he cannot provide a valid explanation for the surprise cost increase, you would have a strong case for withholding some or all or the extra cost. Before withholding payment, you might want to briefly consult a lawyer about the proper procedure that will best protect you against claims and liens filed by the contractor.
  
  The fact that your contractor is your brother certainly complicates things, but I’m not able to offer any useful advice in this area. I just wish you luck in finding a workable solution that you both can accept and move on from.
  
  Reply
k clare says

December 13, 2016 at 11:05 am

Who Is Responsible for Error in Materials Estimate?

The agreement with our contractor was for labor only and we would pay for materials. The contractor ordered the materials for us but we paid. He told us to order the siding which we did and it cost us $1000. He realized after they started the work that he didn’t order enough and now we have to pay $2000 more for the additional siding. We would never have agreed to that type of siding had we known it would cost $3000. Who is responsible for the extra cost?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  May 3, 2017 at 11:24 am
  
  In general, the answer to this type of question depends largely on the terms of the contract. If you don’t have a written contract or it does not address this issue, then it becomes a matter of negotiation. I don’t think there is a clear black-and-white answer.
  
  In a typical fixed-price contract, the contractor buys the materials and would clearly be responsible for estimating and ordering the right quantity of materials. In your case, he might argue that you took on that responsibility, even though you relied on his materials estimate.
  
  If his labor charge is a fixed price, then perhaps you are getting a good deal on labor – if he was off by two-thirds on his quantity estimate. If you are paying him by the hour, then you will lose out. You may also be saving money since a general contractor typically marks up materials by 20% or more. Since he is not buying the materials or making any profit on them, he may argue that he has not assumed any risk for problems with the materials.
  
  In the eyes of the law, you might be considered the general contractor since you bought the materials and are only paying for the labor to install them. You did rely on the contractor’s “expert” opinion in ordering the materials, which turned out to be no so expert.
  
  You may want to get a lawyer’s opinion, but that would cost you another $200 to $300 for an hour of their time. And I don’t think you would get a clear answer. Your best bet may be to sit down with the contractor, explain your concerns, and try to work out a compromise where he absorbs part of the extra cost based on his large error in estimating.
  
  Best of luck in working out a mutually agreeable solution.
  
  Reply
Mary says

October 7, 2016 at 4:45 am

Contractor Wants $1000 Extra For Floor Prep, Not in Bid

A contractor we hired bid to install carpet and tile. The estimator visited the job site several times to measure and estimate. The contract was signed and accepted. Now on installation day, the contractor is asking for $1,000 more for floor prep. Is this legitimate?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  December 12, 2016 at 7:36 pm
  
  No, this is very unprofessional behavior. Either the estimator overlooked the need for this prep work, despite several visits to the job, or he intentionally left this work out of the bid in order to keep the bid low and get the job. Either way, you should have the right to back out of the contract or renegotiate the price. If the contractor fights you on this, or fails to return your deposit, you may need to seek legal advice.
  
  There are situations in remodeling where there are legitimate “hidden conditions“, that could not be easily anticipated by the contractor until the building was partially disasembled or until soil was excavated. Even in these situations, a good knowledgeable and conscientious contractor will typically alert the owner that there might be additional charges if they find rot in the framing, ledge in the earth, etc.
  
  Best of luck in getting your flooring installed properly and for a reasonable price.
  
  Reply
Becky says

May 19, 2016 at 6:10 pm

Should I Pay for Contractor’s Pricing Error?

Hi,
I live in Connecticut and hired a contractor to build a deck for my house. Initially, he quoted me a price, and then a month later, they said, due to state permitting requirements, they had to add something and increased the price. Even though I thought it was crap, I was fine with this and agreed. I put my deposit down and the company laid the foundation for the project. The contract specified that the materials and labor were included in the price, and specifically set out the materials that were to be used, including a specific type of wood I requested. They were supposed to start actually building the deck tomorrow, but today, they called me and said they had to increase the price because Home Depot gave them the wrong price for the wood (they priced them for a different kind of wood than the type specified).

I would just ask for my deposit back, but I’m afraid he will charge me an unfair amount for the work he’s already done… What recourse do I have? Does he have to finish the job? Do I have to pay the extra? Can I hire another company and have the original contractor pay any additional costs I paid the new contractor(above the contract price)?

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  May 21, 2016 at 5:11 pm
  
  Basically, if you and the contractor have signed a fixed-price contract that clearly describes the work to be completed and materials used, the contractor is legally bound by that contract. If there is a change in the contract price, the contractors need to justify this with a change order or, at a minimum, a verbal agreement with you regarding the change in price.
  
  “I got the wrong price from Home Depot” is not, in my book, a legitimate reason to adjust the price. In a fixed-price contract, the contractor the risk for estimating errors, unless they are caused, at least in part, by acts of God, changes in the plan by the owner, or other changed conditions specified in the contract.
  
  On the other hand, if you believe this bid was made in good faith, and that the mistake was made by Home Depot through no fault of the contractor, then you might choose to be flexible and pay for at least part of the price change.
  
  I have cut contractors and subs some slack in this area if I believe that they made a legitimate error (rather than a low-ball bid to get the job).
  
  Other than simply paying the surprise upcharge, your choices are to (1) negotiate to seek a compromise – that is, split the difference, (2) demand that he complete the job for the original price, or (3) pay for the work completed and find someone else to finish the job.
  
  The amounts of money involved do not justify going to court, although you might want to have a brief conversation with a lawyer if you choose options 2 or 3 since these options could result in a legal dispute, even if a minor one.
  
  Based on your description, it sounds like this contractor is a bit disorganized and has not mastered the business end of the business, although he may be a good craftsman. This is not uncommon with small contractors. So it’s a judgement call as to whether it’s preferable to work things out with your current contractor or to find a new one. To get out of this contract, you will need to agree on a reasonable price to pay for the work completed. If you cannot agree on a price, this is another area where you may need to get the opinion of another professional (a second contractor) – and may want to consult a lawyer if you cannot agree on a price and mutually agreeable terms for terminating the contract.
  
  Negotiating a mutually agreeable solution is always the best course of action. If you terminate the contract unilaterally, you will not get the contractor’s cooperation in ending things cleanly, and could be sued for breach of contract, although this is unlikely given the amount of money involved.
  
  Best of luck in finding a mutually acceptable solution.
  
  Reply
Pamela Matallana says

April 30, 2016 at 10:01 am

Architect’s Mistake or Contractor’s?

We are in the process of building a new home. There have been numerous changes due to the original bid for a $650K for a 1620 square foot home. RIDICULOUS to say the least even for California! It originally had a crawlspace, detached garage, and an unfinished second story which a new owner could choose to finish some day. We now have an attached garage, just a slab foundation, and no stone on the front. Also, originally the hallway was wider so the stairs to the attic could be installed. When changes were made, I told the contractor to extend the living room (Great Room) out the extra foot. It appears that did not happen so the great room is smaller than anticipated. All of the other rooms are the correct size or very close to it. However, in looking at the plans my husband thinks the room is off by 3 feet in length.

There is no way to describe the nightmare and cost off this project. We ended up doing the project for $350k with us buying appliances, granite, bathroom fixtures, and flooring, so basically it is still a $400k construction project, not to mention the engineering cost with changes. Who should I go to check to make sure who’s interpretation of the plans is correct? I think the architect made the mistake. What can I do at this point? How can I tell if I have the correct square footage. They are getting ready to put up the trusses and the nightmare continues….

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  April 30, 2016 at 11:06 pm
  
  Sorry to hear about your situation. You touch on a lot of issues that are difficult to fully understand at a distance. It sounds like the current situation has resulted from a series of communications problems between you, the architect, and the contractor.
  
  If the architect was hired for a full-service contract, including supervising administration, then it would be the architect’s job to confirm that the building conforms to the plans. If, on the other hand, you have hired the architect for a more limited role and then turning the the plans over to the builder, then it becomes your responsibility to see that the construction work meets industry standards and conforms to the plans. You could hire a construction manager, engineer, or building consultant to take on or assist you with that responsibility.
  
  When you asked the contractor to vary from the plans, did you document this change in writing? Did the contractor provide a written change order? If not, you will have a difficult time establishing exactly who agreed to what.
  
  I am not able to follow the issue of who made the “mistake” or what the mistake is. When you say the room is “off by 3 feet”, do you mean relative to the plans or relative to the size you anticipated.
  
  From a legal standpoint, the builder is obligated to follow the plans, unless you agreed in writing to vary from the plans. If the plans do not conform to your expectations or discussions with the architect, then that should have been resolved prior to construction. Once the contractor has agreed to build according the plans, any changes would require a change order and price adjustment.
  
  If, on the other hand, the builder has made an error and did not follow the plans, then you may have a legal right to have him correct the work. However, getting him to do this at this point would be costly and complicated and may require legal action. Negotiation is almost always a better course of action than a lawsuit to solve this type of dispute, but a brief conversation with a lawyer might be in order to help you understand your options.
  
  In any event, you should be documenting as much as possible to establish a clear paper trail of events. Keep copies of all drawings, keep a log of all verbal communications, communicate by letter or email as much as possible, and take photos of any important construction details and errors. Clear documentation will be useful whether these issues are resolved by negotiation, mediation, or legal action. Although verbal communications don’t carry a lot of weight in construction and real estate disputes, a written and dated record of communications is better than “I think he said this…”
  
  Bottom line: Schedule a meeting right away with the builder to express your concerns. Bring along any drawings or other documents that support your position. If interior partitions need to be moved, it may be doable. If load-bearing walls or exterior walls need to be moved, it is probably too costly to consider. If changes are to be made, you will need to agree on who will absorb the added costs. Since responsibility for the errors may be shared by more than one party, hopefully you can negotiate a sharing of the costs.
  
  Best of luck in finding a workable solution!
  
  Reply
BB says

April 7, 2016 at 8:57 am

Contractor Bought Wrong Material and Wants Us to Pay

Hi BuildingAdvisor 🙂

We are finishing up a deck project that ran 41% over the original cost-plus estimate. A portion of the overages is due to not originally including the fascia in the original estimate which we were told by the lead carpenter we needed to have. Since our deck is made of an exotic hardwood, our contractor said that the wood for the fascia had to be delivered from CA and cost about $1500.

However, once the wood arrived and after it was oiled, the lead carpenter said that if we apply the wood the way that the manufacturer of the wood and our contractor suggested, that it would not weather well and that we should alternatively use Douglas Fir with a stain for the fascia. We are now stuck with $1500 worth of exotic wood that I do not believe is our responsibility. Unfortunately, I did not see anything in the contract that would help us navigate this type of issue. Any thoughts? Thank you for your help.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  April 8, 2016 at 7:10 pm
  
  It sounds to me like you got caught between advice given by the GC and his authorized representative, the lead carpenter. They should have worked out this difference of opinion between themselves before presenting the information with you.
  
  On the other hand, once you got contradictory advice from the lead carpenter, you should have brought the GC into the loop to discuss the problem, potential solutions, and any changing in pricing.
  
  There are two related issues here. First, the GC left this item out of his estimate, and second, you got conflicting advice on what the item should be. There is no crystal-clear answer to your problem and I am not privy to the specific language in your contract. However, in general, I think you have a strong case that you should not have to pay in full for this wood, or its preparation, since it was not used on your job – following the advice of the lead carpenter
  
  If you had independently changed your mind in the middle of a project, you would be fully responsible for any cost increases. But since you were following the company’s direction (confusing as it was), I think they should be at least partially responsible. How you split the cost would be a matter of fairness and negotiation.
  
  I would recommend documenting everything in writing, including who said what to whom and when. Then sit down with the contractor to discuss your concerns face-to-face. Hopefully, he will be open to compromise. If he refuses to absorb at least part of the cost overrun, you will need to decide whether to withhold money for the unused materials. It’s always a good idea to briefly consult with a lawyer before withholding funds – potentially a breach of contract.
  
  I hear from a lot of people about overruns on cost-plus work. In a cost-plus contract, all or most of the risk for cost overruns is assumed by the customer. For that reason, I don’t recommend cost-plus contracts for large jobs unless they are absolutely necessary, which is rarely the case. They are necessary on design-as-you go jobs, but these are a bad idea unless you have absolutely have no time to complete the design or don’t mind an open-ended budget.
  
  Best of luck in reaching a mutually agreeable solution.
  
  Related links: Cost-Plus FAQs Cost-Plus Bids
  
  Reply
Jo says

March 8, 2016 at 8:12 pm

Should We Pay for Unapproved Changes?

We are at the end of a full-house renovation. The work done is excellent and we have no complaints about it. We did go over-budget by $55k, however. Of that, $31k consisted of costs that we were unaware of until the general contractor (GC) presented us an overage bill. Some things went over the original estimate given to us by the GC. Fpr example: Original estimate for chimney and liner repair was $1,800; actual cost was $3,700. The GC never told us of the cost change prior to work being done.

The other reason for cost overruns was that we exceeded the GC’s allowances on several items. Example: We chose the stone tile for kitchen and two bathrooms in April and May. The GC did not inform us that we went over our allowance by $4,200 until Oct., after we had chosen and bought the materials, and the sub had partially installed the floor and wall tile, lighting, and hardware.

We paid the overage bill at the time in part because we were caught off guard and because the work was done and we believed the subs should be paid, regardless of the GC not informing us of cost changes prior to the work being done. The GC told us prior to us hiring him that he did not use written change orders (yes, we know NOW what a big mistake that was) and we were OK with that, with the understanding that he would inform us of big overages prior to work occurring. Sometimes he did, sometimes he did not.

When the GC gave us the $31k overage bill in December he told us that this was the 4th time (in his 18 years in business) that he had to present a client with this type of bill and all times involved a full house renovation. We believe the first time he encountered this was a mistake but subsequent times was his choice to do so.

In addition, when the GC presented us the overage bill, he said that he would understand if we believed that we should not have to pay some of the charges. He never offered any compensation but rather put the onus on us to decide if we should withhold any charges. We paid the bill in full at the time because we felt the subs should be paid. We would like to be partially compensated for his failing to inform us of these substantial overage costs prior to work being done.

We still owe the CG one final payment of $9,100. We would like to with hold $3,100 (10% of the overage bill). Is it reasonable for us to do this? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  March 18, 2016 at 6:40 pm
  
  The answer to your question lies in the written agreement (and to a lesser extent, any verbal agreements) you made with your contractor. In general, only the written agreements would be legally enforceable.
  
  Was this a fixed-cost bid with a binding price or a cost-plus job with a “guesstimate”. Unfortunately the term “estimate” is often used imprecisely and may refer to either.
  Assuming that you had a fixed-price bid, the contractor should have informed you of any cost increases ahead of time, whether they were caused by choices you made, subcontractor or material costs, or whatever.
  
  It sounds like you agreed, verbally or in writing, to forgo written change orders, but that the contractor agreed to inform you of any large price increases. This is where it gets vague and this is the heart of the matter. What exactly did you agree to and how is that agreement documented?
  Regardless, it sounds like the GC was pretty sloppy in his billing and documenting of costs. Unless you specifically agreed to pay whatever the final cost was, I believe the contractor did not hold up his end of the bargain by keeping you apprised of cost increases.
  
  Bottom line: In my opinion, you are certainly justified in holding back some of final payment. It sounds like your contractor realizes that he did a poor job with billing and feels he same way.
  
  Best of luck in working out a mutually agreeable solution.
  
  Read more on Dispute Resolution Competitive Bidding Cost-Plus Bids
  
  [Follow Up Email from Jo on 3-18-16]
  Thank you so much for your reply. We did end up with holding 10% of the overage bill in our final payment. We wrote the GC a letter that said we were very pleased with the work done (9+ on a scale of 1 to 10) but the bulk of the letter was our dissatisfaction with how the budget and time frame were handled. The GC’s response: “I received your check in the mail today. Thank you for the nice letter. I fully understand your explanation and wish I would have handled that better. As I’ve said from the beginning, the most important thing to me is the satisfaction of the customer so I am very glad to get a 9+”.
  
  Our conclusion is that he is very unprofessional when it comes to the business of end his business, and that he simply does not care about budget overages and missed deadlines. It is apparent that he is unconcerned with our dissatisfaction, as he asked if he could use us as a referral for future customers. Wished we had withheld 15%. Silly us – thought that perhaps he would offer some compensation for his part in the overages. Lesson learned.
  
  Reply
Brian says

December 29, 2015 at 7:28 pm

Are We Liable for Allowance Cost We Never Approved?

We have a hybrid fixed-cost contract with allowances. We are running into cost overruns on two major allowance items and wondering if we are liable. We made it clear from the beginning that we would not exceed our allowances unless it was completely necessary. First, for our floors, the contractor ordered flooring that was $10,000 over our allowance without our approval and then charged us the extra cost once it arrived. Second, we were told the our allowance for site prep was on target and shown the spreadsheet four months later and it showed that we met the allowance. However, two weeks before the close of the house, the contractor says that the bill is actually $10,000 higher. Are we liable for these overages? Thanks so much for you advice.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  December 30, 2015 at 4:54 pm
  
  From your description, it sounds pretty clear that the contractor has been sloppy about contract administration – at least with respect to allowances. In general, no item should exceed the allowance price without the express consent of the owner. Unless you said something like “I want cherry flooring and I don’t care what it costs, just bill me,” then you are not at fault.
  
  Once you made a flooring selection, the contractor should have informed you that the flooring choice would exceed the allowance by $10,000. If you did not agree to that price, then you should be liable for the cost overrun.
  
  The same is true for the site work. If the contractor told you that your choices were within the site work allowance, then you should not have to pay the extra charges.
  
  It is clear that there has been a breakdown in communication. Good communication is a shared responsibility of both parties, but it is the contractor’s responsibility to communicate your options and deadlines for making allowance decisions and to provide pricing information before proceeding. Ideally, all of this is documented in writing. Change orders are used by some contractors to formally document the price adjustment.
  
  Without knowing the specific contract language and who said what to whom, it’s difficult to say anything definitive. Also I’m not sure what you mean by a “hybrid contract” so perhaps part of the work were based on time-and-materials rather than allowances.
  
  These are legal questions and I am not a lawyer. But it sounds like you may have a reasonable claim to withhold these funds. Before withholding $20,000 in payments, however, I strongly suggest you speak with a lawyer about how best to proceed. You might also consider negotiating a compromise solution with the contractor if you feel that he was operating in good faith and made these pricing errors for some plausible reason.
  
  Read more on Allowances Resolving Disputes Model Contract Language (scroll to section on Allowances)
  
  Reply
Deborah says

May 17, 2015 at 7:03 am

City Renovation $30K Over Estimate

I own a building in Brooklyn. I contracted with a friend (first mistake) for renovation of an apartment 60 x 19. The project included gutting completely, removal of debris and installing new walls, floors, kitchen and bathroom. The project developed a few hidden and unexpected issues as the building is 130 years old and as such had some unforeseen problems.

Some of it I understand was not expected. However the project has one: take 8 months when predicted to take 3 and the cost has risen from 60K to 95k.

I understand there were multiple layers of issues: using a friend, getting a soft estimate, not clearly defining the scope of the work, very old building which required steel reinforcing, etc.

What is the industry standard for the difference between estimated and actual costs?
This is more than a 50% increase and I would not have gone forward with the project if I knew the true costs.

Thanks

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  May 18, 2015 at 11:33 am
  
  Unfortunately, a cost-plus job with an unclear Scope of Work is a recipe for disaster when it comes to cost overruns.
  
  I am not aware of any industry standard or benchmark for comparing estimated costs to actual. There are simply too many variables to come up with a meaningful number. However, I can say that a 50% cost overrun on a job of this size is well above average and would be troubling to any homeowner.
  
  You have clearly identified many, if not all, of the key factors that have contributed to cost overruns on your project. To sort out specifically where the additional money went, you would need a detailed breakdown of your contractor’s billable expenses, along with the contractor’s original estimate similarly broken down – if such a detailed estimate exists.
  
  On a cost-plus (time and materials) contract like this, it is customary for the contractor to provide the owner with invoices and other documentation for materials which should help you identify where the extra money went. If most of it went to structural repairs, I would question whether the contractor should have anticipated these repairs. What is a “hidden” condition to one contractor might be less hidden (or discoverable with a little investigation) to another.
  
  There are ways to minimize these kinds of overruns beforehand, but there’s not a lot you can do at this point. Perhaps if the contractor had more experience with this type of building, he or she could have better anticipated the “hidden” and “unexpected” conditions and given you a more realistic non-binding estimate. It may be that a structural engineer could have looked at the project ahead of time and told you that structural reinforcement would be necessary — as it often is with 130-year-old houses, especially row houses.
  
  Also if the Scope of Work was not clearly defined, and the design and details were to some extent made up as you went, the contractor might claim that your decisions and design changes contributed to the higher cost.
  
  On this type of job, it may be difficult to get a fixed price for the entire job, but you are usually better off getting a fixed price for most of the work, with specific allowances for specific unknowns. For example “If joists are found to be decayed and in need of replacement or reinforcing, they will be replaced or repaired at a cost of $x per linear foot.” The more costs that are nailed down and the outset the better. But, of course, that doesn’t help you much with your current project.
  If a large portion of the overage went to changes in the scope of work – for example, you upgrades from vinyl to ceramic tile and laminate to granite, then you would be responsible for this portion of the overage.
  
  However, this is largely academic, as the contractor is your friend and you probably wouldn’t have legal recourse anyway unless the contract had a fixed price, guaranteed maximum, or some other contractual price controls. That does not mean that you cannot negotiate with the contractor for a reduced price to the extent that the overage was the result of bidding errors rather than truly “hidden” or “changed conditions” or changes in the Scope of Work initiated by you, the owner.
  
  If it’s any consolation, it doesn’t sound like you got a bad deal in the end. Perhaps your friend’s bid was unrealistically low. According to Remodeling Magazine, which does annual surveys of costs, the average cost of a mid-range kitchen remodel in New York City ranges from $25,000 for a minor remodel to $70,000 for a major remodel. The average cost for a mid-range bathroom remodel was $53,000. If you add in the structural work, your job appears to be in the ballpark for a job of this scope in your area.
  
  Reply
Liz says

April 28, 2015 at 12:13 pm

Contractor Over Budget and Used Subpar Materials

We are trying to finish a remodeling project and the contractor is stating that we are over budget by $10,000. We have not asked for any extras, and in fact found out that in two specific areas he chose subpar products to what is in our estimate (low SEER A/C unit and single-hung vs. double-hung windows).

Our contract states that any sort of changes would require a change order. Now here we are with siding, flooring and touch-up work, and he is saying that he didn’t budget enough for the siding (even though our estimate states “match existing siding”). We have asked for receipts, but what he gave us were primarily his own receipts without details….a few are for the supplies and subcontractors that did framing, foundation, etc. Some of the receipts, which are from places like Home Depot, included items like tools, drinks, and items we don’t know were used at our job site. Help! What should we do, as we don’t feel we should pay a single cent out-of-pocket for his under budgeting and now made-up receipts without detail.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  April 28, 2015 at 11:30 pm
  
  Sorry to hear about your situation. The best solution to these problems is always prevention. Owners can prevent, or at least minimize these problems by taking the following steps (in order of importance):
  
  1) Do your homework to find a competent and trustworthy contractor.
  2) Start with detailed plans and specifications that clearly document what is to be built with what materials.
  3) Sign a contract that establishes clear ground rules, especially about pricing, payments, changes to the plans, and other money issues. The larger the job, the greater the need for a full industry-standard contract such as an AIA contract, which covers every possible issue including dispute resolution.
  
  For better or for worse, you and your contractor will be business partners for the duration of a project — a marriage of sorts that in this case might be headed for divorce, amicable or otherwise. Since it is impossible to specify every last detail on any job, there will always need to be some give and take, which is why choosing the right partner (and being a good partner) are so important.
  
  Unfortunately, prevention is not an option now that you are in the thick of it. So you need to focus your efforts on damage control. Keep your sights on the goal of getting the job completed correctly for a reasonable price – but perhaps more than you originally planned. Although it may be difficult, try to stay cool-headed and businesslike in your negotiations, always the most effective approach.
  
  You have two main options: try to work things out with the current contractor or terminate the contract and hire a new contractor to finish the work. It will be less complicated if you can work things out with the current contractor, but if that does not seem feasible then you should terminate the contract as soon as possible. It sounds like your relationship with the contractor has slid pretty far and will be difficult to get back on track.
  
  Hopefully you have not paid out more money than the value of the work completed properly. Owing the contractor some money gives you some leverage that you should hold onto until a resolution is at hand. You should always try to retain enough money to get the job completed by someone else if necessary.
  
  If you haven’t done so already, start documenting the problems in writing with dated notes, dated photos, and any supporting documentation of who said what to whom, what was promised verbally or in writing, and what work was done correctly, incorrectly, or not at all. You will need these if you end up in arbitration or court (hopefully neither), and may also find them useful in your discussions with the contractor. Hopefully, you have a written contract, drawn plans, and/or written specifications that tell what type of windows, SEER ratings, etc., were agreed to, and at what cost.
  
  Once you have your ducks in a row, schedule a meeting with the contractor to express your concerns and your proposed resolution. If you can work out a mutually acceptable solution, great. If not, then you will need to focus on terminating the work due to the contractor’s breach of contract.
  At this point, it would be wise to consult with a lawyer so you do not expose yourself to liability for your own breach of contract. Construction laws are different in every state and it is important to follow the proper procedure.
  
  You goal at this point would be to retain enough money to complete the job for the original contract price. You will still need to pay the current contractor for the work completed, but should try to deduct enough money to fix work done wrong and to replace incorrect materials.
  
  It’s unclear from your post as to whether this was a fixed-price or cost-plus contract – or some combination. If it was a fixed-price contract, and the contractor underbid, he is legally bound to complete the job for the quoted price. However, as a practical matter he may never do so or will try to make up his losses with questionable change orders or other extra charges.
  
  If it is a cost-plus (time-and-materials) contract and the “estimate” was non-binding, then you are obligated to keep paying until the job is complete or until you terminate the contract. On a cost-plus job, you are only obligated to pay for legitimate expenses that are properly documented by the contractor. This might include things like saw blades and drill bits used up on your job, and maybe small tools bought just for your job, but certainly not food and drinks.
  
  If the contractor cannot provide clear documentation of charges, and you don’t trust that he is being honest, then you should not to pay until you receive a legitimate bill with proper documentation. It is his responsibility to keep good records and document his costs.
  You also have the right to get the type of windows and A/C unit called out in the plans or specs. Although a verbal agreement about these details is legally binding, it is much harder to prove who said what.
  
  Ideally you would have objected, verbally and in writing, to the improper materials as soon as you saw them and requested that they be corrected. If the contractor refused, you would have strong grounds to terminate the contract. Since you have to some extent “accepted” the work, the contractor might argue that you have agreed to the changed specs.
  
  Resolving these problems in arbitration or court is always a last resort – it will cost you more in time, money, and peace of mind than you can imagine. It’s always best to work things out by negotiation and compromise if at all possible.
  
  A brief conversation with a lawyer would be a good idea at this point to help you evaluate your options. Contrary to the ambulance-chasing stereotype, I’ve never met a lawyer who encouraged me to sue anyone – just the opposite. Of course, you need to choose your lawyer as carefully as your contractor (and no, I’m not a lawyer).
  
  Reply
fiorella boscia says

April 1, 2015 at 4:30 am

Who Pays for Delivery Problems Over Unpaved Road?

We are finishing the building of a log cabin with a contractor. When the logs were delivered for construction, the contractor realized that the road was not suitable (he did visit the area before) for a truck of 17 meters. As a consequence they had to place the logs in a parking space which took 25 hours of labor to get them to the site, plus they had to cover the garden pavement with plywood and rocks. This material is costing more than $20,000 US including the labor. Our contract does not specify, of course, problems with delivery and who should pay. What is your advice? Thank you so much for your comments.

Reply
- buildingadvisor says
  
  April 1, 2015 at 2:40 pm
  
  Ideally, this sort of situation would be covered in a construction contract that stated something like: “Logs shall be delivered to the work site” or “Logs shall be delivered as close to the worksite as is practical with standard delivery trucks. Additional charges may apply for hard-to-access sites.”
  
  If who pays the extra delivery charges is not clearly specified in the contract, then it becomes a point of negotiation or – in the worst case, arbitration or litigation. This is a legal question and I am not a lawyer, so this represents my personal opinion based on my experiences with these types of disputes.
  
  That said, if the contractor provided the contract for this job, and the contract price included delivery of the logs and other building materials as is customary, then in general, it would be his responsibility to pay for delivery – assuming that you did not misrepresent to him the size of the road or character of the building site.
  
  If the contract was silent on who pays for delivery, or on the impact of site access problems, then the responsibility would still be the contractor’s as delivery of goods to the job site by the contractor is customary practice. Furthermore, there is a principle of contract law that roughly states that, if a contract is unclear on a certain point, (like who pays for delivery problems) then the party who wrote the contract is generally responsible for the associated cost.
  
  It seems to me that a log home builder, or any rural builder, should be used to rural building sites with poor quality roads and similar access problems. Also the builder should be familiar with the type of equipment his log supplier has to get the logs and other equipment to the site. Therefore, it should be their responsibility to check out the site ahead of time, or at least ask you about the site and discuss the site of access issues. If the builder and log supplier made unrealistic assumptions about the site, in my mind, it would be their mistake and they (the log supplier and contractor) need to work out who should absorb the extra cost.
  
  I’m confident that a court would agree with me if the dispute went that far. As a practical matter, however, it probably won’t because there is not enough money involved to justify a lawsuit, at least here in the U.S. (except, perhaps in small claims court). However it is a large enough sum that you may need the help of a lawyer and the threat of a lawsuit to work out a favorable settlement.
  
  At the end of the day, you will need to work this out with the contractor. If you agree to pay some of the extra cost, I would make it clear that you are doing this in spirit of cooperation, while explaining that it really was his responsibility to check out the site ahead of time. In fact, any building site can have access issues for tools and materials and this should be accounted for in a builder’s estimate. If he chose not to visit the site, he chose to take this risk.
  
  If you do agree to pay a portion of the bill, however, I would be careful to withhold enough money (as part of your retainage) to cover your half of the delivery overcharge. That will protect you in the event that any other improper “extra” charges pile up over the course of the job. Having a brief conversation with a lawyer wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Contrary to popular belief, most lawyers that I have dealt with have not been ambulance chasers, but reasonable people willing to give you practical advice on the best and cheapest way to settle a dispute.
  
  Reply

OMISSIONS

WRONG ASSUMPTIONS

INADEQUATE ALLOWANCES

PRICE CHANGES

UNCLEAR PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

COST-PLUS BIDS

HIDDEN OR CONCEALED CONDITIONS: JOB-SITE SURPRISES

CONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN ERRORS

DESIGN CHANGES

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