Skyline America

Taking extra effort to find a cheap contractor and you may find yourself paying for the job TWICE. It’s an old trick but still pulled on unsuspecting customers. After you’ve paid the bill, you receive another, separate one for SUPPLIES. You say you’re not that gullible. Let’s hope not.

Are the words “all supplies and materials” in that contract you’re about to sign? If they are not then you can certainly be held liable to pay for them even though you were under the impression that the “job” meant everything included. That’s no excuse. In most states there still exist many interesting variations of the old “mechanic’s lien”- and if you don’t think such a lien is tough, you’re mistaken! You pay up or, if it comes to that, you lose your home!

Now of course if you’re a handyman or like to play at building you might entertain the notion of being your own contractor. Given your ability and common managerial sense may not be a bad idea. You can buy lumber discards from furniture factories, get workmen cheap from nearby construction projects when they happen to be free for a couple of hours, get things done just the way you want them – and learn a lot in the bargain.

Forever after you’ll be able to boast that you “built it” yourself. Still you must be sure you have the complete approval of all the local inspectors. They may be on the contractor’s pay or gift roll. Not on yours. Read the local building code yourself rather than take anyone’s word for it. You can find it in the reference room at your public library. And make sure you understand whatever contractor’s obligations you undertake. For example, is that painter’s helper going to fall off your roof? Ask your insurance agent if you’re covered for that. If you hire little subcontractors, such as carpenters and plasterers, you can’t necessarily take their word that they have insurance on their helpers.

Just as a sidelight. This may happen to you some time. You may come home to find a half-built patio that you never ordered, or a dug-up driveway. Apologetically, the workmen grin and say they must have had the wrong address. What do you do? Offer them a can of beer and laugh the whole thing off? Not at all. Get their identification immediately, phone your lawyer right away, ACT or you’ll pay for the work whether you ordered it or not!

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