On Apr 28, 6:04=A0am, KICHISK <nos...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Walter Roberson wrote:
> > I'm planning to get some fencing work done this year. I expect that
> > there will be a fair bit of material expenses, and of course there
will
> > be a lot of labour. What would be typical payment arrangements,
> > in terms of what would get paid for at what stage? I've heard people
> > speak of holding back some amount (10% is the number I hear)
> > near completion time; I gather that it is a kind of leverage to get
> > the tradesmen to bother to return if you find something that needs
> > fixing or touching up. What would be the standard protocol for that?
>
> > I'm not looking for "How little could I get away with paying until
> > the last minute" sort of information, just "What is standard and
> > customary fair dealings in these kind of situations?"
>
> > Thanks!
>
> Check out Holmes on Homes at
>
> =A0http://www.holmesonhomes.com/tips_and_tricks.php
>
> specifically looking at Make it right Tips & Guides as well as CMHC
> Hiring a Contractor as well as Sample Renovation Contract.
re: how much to pay contractor/worker on fence or other
I agree in theory with the advice given in this thread and on the
Holmes website about giving contractors milestone payments and holding
back 10-20% of the price until the job is finished and the customer
standards have been met.
However, in the real world I find that this really can only apply to
the larger fence builders/contractors who have extra money in the bank
to pay for supplies etc.
Dealing with the smaller guys/gals with simple ads in the press are a
different story.
I've been meeting fewer smaller handymen who are prepared to go out
and plunk down $800 for fence and building supplies after getting only
a few hundred dollars from the customer and a signed contract.
Many contractors that I've talked to have come across many problems
getting paid for reasons like
- customer turns out to be having financial problems
- customer just likes to delay payments forever
- customer likes to change the plans alot
- spouses fight (like the article in todays Globe and Mail said where
big projects go off the rails when couples fight over escalating costs
of major rennos)
- customer finds some reason to not like the job and hold back more
than 30%
I would do the following on the fence build if you go with a small
builder.
1. have a written quote/contract on parts and labor and start/finish
date and milestones etc
2. once you are convinced that the contractor isn't a scammer, have
the builder tell you what you need and arrange for the purchase and
delivery to your house in your name and paid for on your card by you
3. take photos along the way
4. hold back some money in case it falls over in a few days after a
windstorm or nieghbor complains that it is on thier property line;)
5. have a backup plan in case of rain or the contractor gets sick and
can't finish the fence or the big company goes into receiver****p and
you have to rush out and hire the small guy that you didn't want to,
to begin with
Many would say to just hire a big, reputable company with an ad in the
phone book, insurance, wcb,etc etc...but this is Winnipeg.
Sure you could have an iron clad contract and spend the next 3 years
in court trying to get your fence finished.
The world is waggling differently today.
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