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5 Steps to Take When Your Contractor Isn’t Listening to You

We are all subject to Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”

In the case of remodeling, the worst of Murphy’s Law is a contractor who doesn’t listen to you, ignores your needs, or doesn’t work with you to find a mutually-satisfactory resolution to a problem.  Before you get your feathers fully ruffled, consider this: your contractor may be more familiar with solving technical or construction-related problems than in resolving customer service issues.

It’s in everyone’s best interest to solve a problem without allowing it to escalate, so refrain from finger pointing and emotion wherever possible. Approaching a problem dispassionately can save you time, energy, money, and your relationship with your contractor.

Here are five steps to take when your contractor isn’t listening to you:

1. Informal Discussion – This is the best place to start to resolve a disagreement. Arrange a face-to-face meeting between you and your contractor. Come prepared with your original contract, detailed notes, and change orders.  Give your con-tractor the chance to explain the situation and offer solutions. Stay calm and focus on moving forward. If you have suggestions for how to resolve the situation to everyone’s satisfaction, offer them respectfully.
2. Mediation – Mediation brings in a neutral third-party to guide you and your contractor through the same kind of information discussion.  This can help keep tempers in check on both sides, help you identify key facts, and facilitate under-standing. Like an informal discussion, mediation is in no way legally binding.
3. Arbitration – Arbitration is a legally-binding form of mediation. Some contracts may require arbitration as a first step to resolving disputes, while others require arbitration in lieu of taking a case to court.
4. Small Claims Court – Small claims courts generally hear cases valued at $5,000 or less and may take months to resolve. The judge hearing your case won’t have prior knowledge of your remodeling project, so it is critical that you come pre-pared. Bring every piece of documentation you have to support your claim. Explain the damage done to you in a way that justifies the resolution you’re seeking, and why you hold the contractor responsible.
5. Hire a Lawyer – The last–and most expensive–option to resolve a dispute with your contractor is to hire a lawyer. At this point, your relationship will end, since legally you will not be able to talk to each other directly anymore. The judge’s decision will be binding. Before going this route and hiring an attorney, be abso-lutely sure there is no other way to resolve the dispute. Don’t let hurt feelings turn a quibble over details into an expensive, years-long fight.

The Remodel Success process is designed to help you avoid these types of situations, and ensure you’re prepared if Murphy’s Law strikes.