Inadequate masonry job in Texas

[pgriffin]

I am in the state of Texas.

I hired a mason to repair some bricks in my backyard. He and his assistant did a
messy, inadequate job (bricks not straight,
wrong colored grout, etc.), and I have asked
him to redo it. He was to meet me last
Wednesday to discuss the redo, but he never
showed up. I have tried calling him twice,
and he has not returned my calls.

I have not paid him, and there is no written
contract. I would like to get the bricks repaired as soon as possible. Should
I hire someone else? Am I indebted to the
first mason? What steps should I take to
protect myself should he at some later date
approach me for payment?

 

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pgriffin:
I am in the state of Texas.

I hired a mason to repair some bricks in my backyard. He and his assistant did a
messy, inadequate job (bricks not straight,
wrong colored grout, etc.), and I have asked
him to redo it. He was to meet me last
Wednesday to discuss the redo, but he never
showed up. I have tried calling him twice,
and he has not returned my calls.

I have not paid him, and there is no written
contract. I would like to get the bricks repaired as soon as possible. Should
I hire someone else? Am I indebted to the
first mason? What steps should I take to
protect myself should he at some later date
approach me for payment?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Send a certified letter to him stating your position, that he failed to show up for the meeting, does not return your telephone calls and therefore abandoned the project. And that since that his work is unacceptable, the money that you previously agreed to pay him will be used to pay a new contrator to do the job right. In the future make sure: 1) to check referrals, 2) there is a written contract and that 3) the contractor is properly State licensed with a clean "no complaints" record.

Check to see if this contractor is State licensed. If he is, he has mechanics lien rights and he could cause a problem later.