Disgruntled Contractor Won't Pickup Equipment

[HomeownerNH]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH

I had hired a contractor for hourly work and he was never showing when he said he would. He constantly rescheduled or just didn't show for days on end, one day at a time, so I fired him.

I cleaned up the work area and put all his tools neatly outside, under protective cover. I called him, but he never showed to pickup the equipment, despite saying he was now finally available to actually do the work.

At nightfall I moved his things inside to prevent them from being stolen. I called to let him know this. He called back and swore at me several times, then hung up. I figured he'd cool down, then call to pick up his stuff.

No luck, have not hear from him in a week. What is my responsibility to protect his equipment? He has clearly been fired and declared he has available time because he lost another job.

Can I just put his things outside and give him one last call? Is there a time limit to consider this abandoned property? I don't want to be responsible should any of his gear get stolen.

Thx

[JETX]

Originally Posted by HomeownerNH

Can I just put his things outside and give him one last call?

If you want to get sued, go ahead and 'put the property' out.
If you want to PROTECT yourself from a claim, you need to:
1) Document (text and pictures) the 'abandoned' equipment.
2) Send him a very nice letter (certified RRR) 'demanding' that he contact you to arrange 'removal' of his property within 5 days from receipt. Include that if he doesn't remove the property, it will incur a storage fee of $( fill in the blank) per day for an additional 14 days. After the 14 days, if STILL not recovered, it will be sold/disposed of without recourse.

Keep copies of ALL correspondence.

[VinnieL]

write him letter and also include all the dates you called and give him ultamitum to pick up withni 5 days or so if not you will not be responsible. then sale it. on 6th day till then to be safe make sure his equimpments are not damages.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by VinnieL

write him letter and also include all the dates you called and give him ultamitum to pick up withni 5 days or so if not you will not be responsible. then sale it. on 6th day till then to be safe make sure his equimpments are not damages.

Don't rely on 'legal advice' from someone who can't put a sentence together in English!!