A few years ago, my husband started a spec house for a professional couple. Before the house was finished, the couple declared bankrupcy and the house went into foreclosure.
The bank hired my husband to finish the house to the point that it would pass inspection and they could sell it as it. He never did the outside rock work or the final grading.
The couple that bought the house ( at a grest bargain, I might add; about $500,000 under market price) called us. They were having a water problem.
I assumed that they were hiring dh to come and fix it.
He went over there, only 5 days after surgery (a big no no) to work on the problem.
He hired a guy to work with a shovel for 3 days, then he had the backhoe come in for an entire day to grade out the yard. They put in 2 loads of fill dirt and 3 loads of mulch. He worked all day with a shovel and rake too. After 3 days, the problem was solved.
I sent them a bill. Today, I called because I had not received payment and it has been 2 weeks. I paided the worker out of my pocket, but I needed $520 to pay for the backhoe, fill dirt and mulch.
When I taked to the owner today, she said that they just did not have the money to pay me.
What are they doing buying a 5000 square foot house if they have no money to pay their bills?
Should we repo the fill dirt and mulch??
On a happier note, I saved $6 using my Ingles advantage card yesterday and received a $3 pineone check. My social security check came in ($486) so this will all be added to the $20 challenge.
Prev. total $11,887.00
today 495.00
new total $12,382.00
I guess some people just don't pay their bills.
August 25th, 2010 at 04:35 pm
August 25th, 2010 at 04:47 pm 1282754822
August 25th, 2010 at 05:14 pm 1282756444
Good luck!
August 25th, 2010 at 05:40 pm 1282758022
The mean side of me likes the repossessing the fill dirt and mulch too, but I would have to pay my grader to come over and do it.
August 25th, 2010 at 05:47 pm 1282758475
Did you have a contract? Down payment/deposit?
I would give them 30 days to pay and then go to small claims court or put a builder's lein on the house - if you can do that in your state.
I would love to see their faces if you came and took all the dirt away/undoing the work your hubby did. Hey, maybe do that and add the charges to your small claims case..*evil laugh*
August 25th, 2010 at 06:01 pm 1282759318
August 25th, 2010 at 06:23 pm 1282760609
We threaten to put the trees back (tree surgery company)
Here is something that has worked for me, if you dare. Go again to the house and get invited in, with the bill to discuss settlement. Discuss the payment in three or four segments, drink their coffee and sit there and ask for the first payment. Now. Do not leave until you have a payment in your hand. Took me three hours of not getting out of the kitchen for her to go and get her chequebook. Mind you, I did have a work contract that they had signed, so that helped.
They owe you money. They contacted you. They pay.
Bonne chance.
August 25th, 2010 at 07:22 pm 1282764149
OMG, Breton Wench, that is the funniest thing I have heard in awhile: short arms, deep pockets. ROFL!
August 25th, 2010 at 08:07 pm 1282766851
August 25th, 2010 at 09:42 pm 1282772538
August 26th, 2010 at 04:26 am 1282796786
August 26th, 2010 at 07:49 am 1282808949
August 26th, 2010 at 02:55 pm 1282834514