5 Tips on what to do when your contractor is taking too long to finish the job

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Navigate delays in construction with our guide on what to do when your contractor is taking too long, offering practical tips and solutions to manage timelines and maintain project momentum. Learn how to effectively communicate and keep your building project on track.

When you’ve hired a general contractor to take on a home improvement or new construction, you expect them to complete the job in a timely and efficient manner. But sometimes, contractors drag their feet and the job drags on well beyond the original estimated date of completion. If this happens to you, it can be extremely frustrating, not to mention costly if you have to make alternative arrangements (such as staying in a hotel). So what can you do if your contractor is taking too long to finish the job?

What to do when your contractor is taking too long?

This article will guide you through the unfortunate circumstances of what to do if a contractor takes advantage of you more or less. This way, if you were ever to stumble into that position, you would know the correct actions on what to do when your contractor takes too long to complete the job.

Average Time for New Home Construction 

The average time for new home construction can vary depending on a number of factors. The size and complexity of the project, the weather, and the availability of materials and labor can all affect the timeline. In general, however, most new homes take around six to nine months to build from start to finish.

The foundation and framing are typically completed in the first two to three months, followed by rough plumbing and electrical work. The exterior finishes, such as siding and brickwork, are usually installed in months four or five. The interior finishes, such as painting, flooring, and cabinets, are typically installed in the last two to three months.

Of course, every project is unique, so be sure to consult with your general contractor to get a more accurate estimate for your new home construction. He should have provided this to you in your written contract. If you do not have a written construction contract, get one written asap. 

Read important things every homeowner should know before hiring a Contractor!

Communicate with your Contractor when problems arise

One of the most frustrating things about new home construction is when the project falls behind schedule. If you’re in this situation, there are a few things you can do to communicate effectively with your general contractor. 

First, try to be understanding and avoid placing blame. It’s important to remember that delays are often out of their control. 

Second, stay in close contact with the contractor and make sure you’re updated on their progress. It can be helpful to set up weekly or biweekly check-in calls.

Finally, be prepared to be flexible. If the contractor needs to make changes to the schedule, try to accommodate them. By following these tips on what to do when your contractor takes too long, you can help to keep the lines of communication open and ensure that your new home construction project stays on track.

Read The Ultimate New Home Construction Checklist

Negotiate the Timeline Ahead of Time

One of the most important things to do when you’re planning a new home construction project is to negotiate with your contractor ahead of time how long the job will take. This is important for a number of reasons.

First, you need to make sure that your contractor is available for the entire duration of the project. 

Second, you need to make sure that you’re comfortable with the timeline. If you’re not comfortable with the timeline, it’s likely that the job won’t be completed on time.

 Finally, you need to make sure that you have a backup plan in place in case the job takes longer than expected. By negotiating a timeline upfront, you can avoid a lot of headaches down the road.

Document 

You should always keep track of the days the contractor works and the progress that is being made on your new home. Take photos at the end of every workday or workweek, so you have evidence of the work that has been completed. Without this evidence, it will be your word against the contractor’s if you decide to take legal action in the future.

Talk to the subcontractors about how things are going, and if you hear that they’re not getting paid or that they’re extremely unhappy, that’s a warning sign that your contractor is struggling with cash flow. But before you do this, be aware that talking to subcontractors and asking uncomfortable questions will almost certainly get back to the general contractor.

Legitimate Delays 

 Your contractor may have a legitimate reason as to why the job is taking so long, such as:

• Inclement Weather
• Waiting on a unique order tool
• Materials have not yet arrived
• Family emergency
• Personal injury/illness

However, even though one of these legitimate reasons is keeping your contractor from finishing on time, they should not be charging you for the time they are not on the job site. It’s still a good idea to track their hours and their work so that you know whether or not they are taking advantage of you.

File an official complaint with the contractor’s license board 

If you’re not satisfied with the work of a general contractor, you have the right to file a complaint with the contractor’s license board. The board will investigate the complaint and, if they find that the contractor has violated their code of conduct, they may take disciplinary action. This could include revoking the contractor’s license or imposing a fine.

To file a complaint, you will need to fill out an official complaint form and submit it to the board. You can usually find the form on the board’s website. Once the form is submitted, the board will open an investigation and may contact you for more information. The entire process can take several months, so it’s important to be patient. In the meantime, you should keep all documentation related to the work in question, including receipts, contracts, and correspondence with the contractor. This will be helpful if the board decides to pursue disciplinary action against the contractor.

Terminating the Contract 

If you’re not satisfied with the work of your general contractor, you may be thinking about terminating the contract. However, it’s important to understand the process and timeline for doing so. Generally speaking, you’ll need to provide written notice to the contractor detailing your specific concerns along with proof of incomplete work. The contractor will then have an opportunity to correct the issues. If they’re unable to do so, or if you’re still not satisfied with the work, you can then terminate the contract.

Keep in mind that there may be financial penalties for terminating the contract early, so it’s important to consult with an attorney before taking any action. With a clear understanding of the process and timeline, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to terminate your general contractor contract.

Surety Bond 

If you have done your due diligence in hiring a qualified contractor then they will be insured and bonded. A surety bond is a three-party agreement between a general contractor and a surety company that guarantees the completion of a construction project. If the general contractor fails to complete the project or defaults on payment, the surety company will cover the cost of damages up to the amount of the bond. The owners of the property are the beneficiaries of the bond and can file a claim against the surety company if they suffer damages as a result of the general contractor’s default.

There are two types of surety bond claims: contractual and statutory.

Contractual claims are based on breach of contract, while statutory claims are based on state or federal laws that protect property owners from construction defects. In order to file a claim, the beneficiary must first notify the surety company of their intention to do so. The surety company will then launch an investigation to determine whether or not the claim is valid. If it is found to be valid, the surety company will begin working on a resolution, which may include paying for repairs or completing the work itself. The entire process can take several months to complete, so it’s important to be patient and follow up with the surety company on a regular basis.

Seeking Legal Assistance 

If the above steps do not work to get you paid in a timely fashion, you may need to escalate the situation by hiring a lawyer.

Your lawyer may suggest taking your case to small claims court, where you do not need a lawyer present. However, if you are owed considerable retributions, then a lawsuit will be necessary. 

Ultimately, it’s best to speak with an attorney to get advice on whether or not you have a case against the contractor. Lawsuits are time-consuming and expensive, so they should only be used as a last resort, but there comes a point where it is the only remaining option.