Most disputes and conflicts that arise between the homeowner and general contactors are due to a misunderstanding on the part of one or both parties. Such conflicts can be either prevented, or easily resolved by discussion.
If there is a disagreement between you and your contractor, try to approach the issue in a diplomatic way and carefully consider both your and your contractor’s side. In order to support your own position in a dispute, it is essential that you have the terms in writing. A little honest discussion usually suffices to settle the matter.
Keeping the communication lines open, controlling emotions, giving the other an opportunity to express how they see the situation, and maintaining the attitude of mutual respect, can do a lot to help resolve disputes that may arise.
While it is important to deal with the disagreements as soon as they arise, it is unadvisable to discuss them with your contractor in front of others. Set up a private meeting, where the two of you can discuss the situation alone and without interruption.
In certain situations, for reasons such as the quality of work being too poor to merit full payment, a discussion may not suffice. In such cases, the disagreement may have to be resolved by involving a third party.
If you see that discussing the situation doesn’t produce results, your next step is to write a letter describing the problem and how you would like it resolved. Send it to your contractor by certified mail, and request a return receipt. If the problem remains unresolved, it may be time to refer the matter to a third party, such as an home inspector who can later suggest a formal solution.
Try discussing the problem with somebody who is both trustworthy and informed, such as a family member or a friend. If that doesn’t help, you may want to seek legal advice. You also have the option to connect with various organizations that offer consumer assistance in resolving disputes with service providers.
A lawsuit may ultimately be the only way for you to resolve a problem with your remodeling project. In this case a real estate attorney or other attorney who is familiar with construction law will be able to help you.
Needless to be said, such situations are highly undesirable and are always easier to prevent than to resolve. To protect yourself, always make sure to follow the good practice rules, only hire reputable home improvement contractors, make sure you have a clear and well-written home improvement agreement, and that all the legal requirements are met.
