I hired a contractor in NE to do some renovation work in my home.
The contractor was a local person and did not give a contract. I asked for one but none was given. He stated that the costs to do the work would be around $2000.00.
The work was delayed time and again. Finally he started the work but I quickly noticed that the work was sub-standard. Of course he said it was not. About half way through I fired him. I felt that I could do a better job than he was doing and that he had done enough damage. At his request I paid him 1/2 of the contract amount. He did about 1/2 but after I had repaired his work he did about 1/4 of the work I asked. I just wanted him gone and also wanted to avoid any further involvement or complications. I felt that it would be in my best interest if I paid him what he requested.
This occurred in June of 2005.
I live in a small town and I have seen him on multiple occassions around town the past 1.7 years and he never mentioned anything about this until a week ago. We met in the hardware store and he requested that I send him the remaining $1000.00. I told him that I did not owe him anything. A week later I received a letter from from an attorney he hired. He contends that I owe him the remainder of the contract plus a 10% contract cancellation fee. He stated that he did "most" of the work and only a few things were not completed.
A majority of his work required fixing in one form or another and I have completed the fixes. Since he requested payment long ago and I paid him, I felt this whole mess was done. I have some receipts for the repairs I made to his work but I didn't take any pictures etc.
How would I prove at this time that his work was sub-standard if I fixed it all?
What do I owe him? Anything?
Are there time limits for payment claims?
There was no contract so what is this 10% cancellation fee?
I'm at a loss on this.
What is the name of your state? Nebraska
The contractor was a local person and did not give a contract. I asked for one but none was given. He stated that the costs to do the work would be around $2000.00.
The work was delayed time and again. Finally he started the work but I quickly noticed that the work was sub-standard. Of course he said it was not. About half way through I fired him. I felt that I could do a better job than he was doing and that he had done enough damage. At his request I paid him 1/2 of the contract amount. He did about 1/2 but after I had repaired his work he did about 1/4 of the work I asked. I just wanted him gone and also wanted to avoid any further involvement or complications. I felt that it would be in my best interest if I paid him what he requested.
This occurred in June of 2005.
I live in a small town and I have seen him on multiple occassions around town the past 1.7 years and he never mentioned anything about this until a week ago. We met in the hardware store and he requested that I send him the remaining $1000.00. I told him that I did not owe him anything. A week later I received a letter from from an attorney he hired. He contends that I owe him the remainder of the contract plus a 10% contract cancellation fee. He stated that he did "most" of the work and only a few things were not completed.
A majority of his work required fixing in one form or another and I have completed the fixes. Since he requested payment long ago and I paid him, I felt this whole mess was done. I have some receipts for the repairs I made to his work but I didn't take any pictures etc.
How would I prove at this time that his work was sub-standard if I fixed it all?
What do I owe him? Anything?
Are there time limits for payment claims?
There was no contract so what is this 10% cancellation fee?
I'm at a loss on this.
What is the name of your state? Nebraska
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