Watch out for Moultonborough Building Contractor

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by AKADQ

Sorry for not giving details at this time but I am trying to use social media in finding other victims of deception from this contractor. I am finding it hard to believe that this contractor out of Moultonborough has not victimized anyone else in the Lakes Region. What I can say at this time is that this contractor has been in trouble for writing bad checks and theft by deception in NH, and I only know this because our attorney had a criminal background check done on this guy. This contractor has also had business cards made out under his name stating that he was incorporated. I only know this because our attorney found out that he nor his business is registered with the state of NH as a business.
I am not trying to punish any repitable contractor out there but only to inform people to be careful of who your dealing with and check with the state of NH or BBB to see if they are a legit business.
If a contractor can go home at night with a good conscience than you have nothing to worry about and the people in your community that you conduct business with will know that as well...

I think you should ask that people PM you

[AKADQ]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

I think you should ask that people PM you

Thanks for the advice. People have been PM'ing and calling with there support. Like I said in my previous post, I am using social media and being proactive in protecting myself and gathering information as I move forward with my incident. In addition, inform people that these things are still going on and can happen to anyone. My intentions are not to offend any contractors out there but to inform the public to know who your dealing with because not everyone is honest.
I didn't PM you back Inquiring One but I accept your oppology...

[webmaster]

We all appreciate honest and informative reviews, both positive and negative but watch out, you could be sued if you're not careful. There is an article going around that describes a Virginia women being sued for $750,000 for posting a review on Yelp because the contractor she criticised considered it defamation and claimed that it damaged his business. It will be interesting to see how the case turns out.

If your criticism is reasonable, honest and accurate it's unlikely you'll have trouble but if your intent is to damage a business you could find yourself in need of a lawyer.

Here's the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...f15_story.html

[inquiring one]

No Problem, I didn't mean for it to get ugly....again best of luck

[BroadHopper]

The trouble with most work done by builders and contractors is there is no written statement of work. A verbal agreement and a handshake.

This will never stand up in court. I learn from experience that a detail of the work is written and the contractor will quote a price. When both parties are in agreement it must be in writing. The staement of work must be followed to the letter. If there are any changes to be made, it must be in writing.

The problem is that most contractors walk away from a SOW. The honest ones will give you a quote. If you do your homework up front, you shouldn't have a problem.

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The trouble with most work done by builders and contractors is there is no written statement of work. A verbal agreement and a handshake.

This will never stand up in court. I learn from experience that a detail of the work is written and the contractor will quote a price. When both parties are in agreement it must be in writing. The staement of work must be followed to the letter. If there are any changes to be made, it must be in writing.

The problem is that most contractors walk away from a SOW. The honest ones will give you a quote. If you do your homework up front, you shouldn't have a problem.

While many of my jobs are referrals some are not. But either way I try to size up the person I'm dealing with and approach the job accordingly.
In almost all cases I do provide a written estimate breaking down the scope of the job, but I also do a fair amount or repeat work where the customer just says do it. Or I give a ballpark price for labor and materials are what they are, I do not make a dime off my materials anyways.
Each job is different.
Oh and unless fraud can be proved most times a homeowner has no recourse in court. I can paint your house and one year later it is pealing, good luck proving I did something wrong. Do I believe this is right, no. I wish we all had to be licensed by the state. this would also make it easier for us to report unlicensed or out of state contractors who in my opinion should not be taking work away from NH contractors. It is sad and there are a lot of shady contractors out there, but there are also a lot of really great contractors that I personally have met over the years in this area.
I personally will not hand out a contractors name unless I am willing to take the consequences for their workmanship.

[tis]

I admire the way you handle your business, BR. I don't think most contractors want to give you a price on a job, let alone a written contract.. In fact, on lots of the bills I have gotten when I have had work done, I have gotten a bill with a total, not even number of hours or price per hour-something I don't like at all.

[BroadHopper]

I agree with licensing of subcontractors. If the state gets complaints the state can yank the license.

I have never had a union contractor work for me and I was told the union will yank a contractor's membership if they get complaints. Hiring a union contractor guarantee good workmanship? maybe some of you living in union states can answer this question.

[tis]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I agree with licensing of subcontractors. If the state gets complaints the state can yank the license.

I have never had a union contractor work for me and I was told the union will yank a contractor's membership if they get complaints. Hiring a union contractor guarantee good workmanship? maybe some of you living in union states can answer this question.

I don't think it does. Rules and laws (and unions) don't equal the desired results.

[wifi]

The state sunseted the licensing of many things years ago, because it couldn't afford the administration cost. Perhaps there could be some way for those that want licensed contractors to share this cost ?

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I agree with licensing of subcontractors. If the state gets complaints the state can yank the license.

Here we go. More state bureaucracy. And higher costs for all with annual licensing fees.

How about some common sense and ask for referrals?
How about visiting some of these referrals?

How about a written contract if one is so concerned?
How about setting up a payment schedule so that if work is not completed correctly money is still held by the purchaser of such?

[RailroadJoe]

SONGKRAI You hit the nail on the head. Leave it to the government to control another thing. What next - a license to swim in the lake.