“It’s been nearly five long years and I have finally accepted the painful truth — it’s time to break up with my contractor.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Williams-13

“Dear PoPville,

It’s been nearly five long years and I have finally accepted the painful truth — it’s time to break up with my contractor. We had it good for a while. His crew was working daily on a gut renovation of our rowhouse, and he was responsive to any questions or concerns (especially when he wanted to get a payment.). But over the years, he eventually lost interest, sometimes not even a call or text/email for several months.

Since we signed a contract in 2013 — which specified that work was to be finished by 10/31/2013 but didn’t lay out any penalties for noncompletion — children have been born, jobs have changed and DCRA has changed its regulations multiple times. The contractor has not completed all of the work he was paid for, and some of that work now needs to be repaired. And work on a few big items was never started in any meaningful way. We also owe him for some work that was done. The contractor repeatedly promises to finish and then promptly disappears. So, I just need to move on and find someone new. (My hunch is he underbid the contract and now doesn’t want to finish — but who knows.)

Does anyone know of a good attorney experienced in construction law who could tell me if I have a case against my contractor or provide guidance on the best way to part ways with him? Also someone who hopefully won’t break the bank — most of my savings has gone into this interminable renovation!”