They're probably just trying to cover their own asses. As do most large corporations.

Well, this guy is a small builder, not connected to any big time home builder corps. We went with him cause we figured he'd be better than one of those.

Should always get things in writing, and then also agree before work starts on a final date - with anything after that date costing them, not you....

In addition to what Chips said, ALWAYS document conversations you have with them, listing who you talk to, how, ie cell phon, inperson and make notes to refer back to. It helps a lot.

even small builders can be bad...Even a bad landscaper. A long time ago...probably about...5 years ago, we had some curbing done in our yard to make the lawn look nice and so we could do some landscaping stuff around out. Turns out the guy did a shoddy job and the curbing started crumbling right away. We only paid half before he started...and would pay half when finished, but the curbing was crappy and we demanded to get our money back. Do you know what he did? He never returned the phone calls, and packed up and moved to another state. Never saw that money again.

that's why (if you can afford it) you do the work yourself that way it's done the way you want it and you have nobody but yourself to blame if it gets screwed up , but not everybody has the knowledge to do projects themselves.

Edited by - arton alpha on 7/11/2006 7:35:06 PM

Builders are inherently unreliable. If you can't get a time limit in the contract, look somewhere else.

We had some building work on a house we're trying to develop for sale. They're three months behind schedule.


People who take drugs are bad.

Damn customs agents

@Topher

I think this rule applies in all 50 states.

As far as real estate is concerned, if it isn't in writing, it is not enforceable no matter how sincerely the agreement was reached ... verbally.

So be careful and if you really expect them to do what you asked, you should ask them to give you a receipt to confirm it there and then. If they offer to issue you a change order, be careful as change orders usually mean additional costs to be tacked on.

in Scotland, apparently, verbal agreements regarding property are considered binding. or at least they used to be. Any Scottish folk care to clarify this point?

it prevents gazumping which is basically outbidding someone else on a property purchase, the constant bane of cash-strapped English property buyers.

Well, now we are going to be homeless. We have to get out of our current place and our new house isn't ready to be closed. The builder, his relastate agent, and thier main company just don't care. I do not recomend building to anyone unless you have a very binding contract with penalties if they builder doesn't make the date.

Sorry to hear it Topher. Don't know if this is your first time buying a home but that's tricky enough. Building one, especially now days, is even more tough. And it is a full time occupation for that last 10% ... as you say.

---

it prevents gazumping which is basically outbidding someone else on a property purchase, the constant bane of cash-strapped English property buyers.

---

Goes to show what happens when no one speaks Scots. At the height of the housing market explosion, people were gazumping like crazy. You had to rush to get the purchase agreement signed. Until that happened, anything, literally, was fair game. And, of course, without the written instrument, nothing is/was enforceable.

Try going to your lender, at times they can provide housing for temp use till home is finished. A woman at work was put up in a hotel for 30 days till her house was ready. Doen't hurt to try.