Is there a lawyer in the house?

[jorian]

So I hired a painter sans contract to paint 3 suites after the first guy I hired couldn't seem to get started. The first painter and I settled on $650 per suite. He turned out to be busy with a much larger contract so I called the second guy. This second guy I have known for a long time but have never had him do work for me. He is a small business owner like me, a nice guy and seemingly honest.

I told him I had another fellow who quoted $650. I asked him to quote and he was unsure what it would cost but wanted to work for time and materials. I have never hired anyone on an open ended contract and didn't agree to one this time either. I was in a hurry to get them done before the end of the month so I could re-rent them without the loss of a second month's income. I said I'm in a hurry and even if $650 turned into $1000 I would be OK with that. I just got his bill and rather than the expected $3000 it was over $10,000! My family has been in this business for over 50 years and I have never experienced anything like this.

I have had entire suites drywalled AND painted for less. $3500 per suite is outrageous. I haven't contacted him yet because I want to educate myself with respect to builders liens or small claims court should it go that far. I have always been fair in my dealings with subcontractors having been one myself. I don't want to profit from someone else's work but I feel like this guy is fleecing me big time. I'm not looking for recriminations because I didn't have a contract. I am looking for some for perspective. There are a lot of smart people on this board, hopefully someone can chime in. Thanks in advance.

[Hendog]

Very sorry to hear that Jorian I wish I could help you out somehow but I'm no lawyer and I don't know any. Do you have any realtor friends? They often have revenue properties and occasionally run into this stuff.

[Scooter]

Jorian, do you have a signed contract for services?

Give me a call tomorrow...we have to talk seats anyway.

[john70t]

It goes both ways. "What contract? I painted it myself. I've got a thou cash and some steel-toes, take your pick."

He will have pics and matching paint as evidence, but the more quotes you have from other pro painters the better your legal situation. Depends on the judge.

It could be a case of fraud/bait-and-switch for the local attorney-general, licencing board.

[Z-man]

Sounds to me like you agreed verbally for up to $1000 per suite. I can see the price getting adjusted +/- $500, but to double the cost - that's fairly rediculous.

As for an itemized bill - see where all that $$ went to - perhaps he thought you wanted the suites down in gold leaf...

-Z-man.