Burned by land clearing guy, a cautionary tale

[Kahunascott]

quote:

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Originally posted by YurtGirl

I'm sorry you had to deal with that Kathy, and
THANK YOU for letting us all know. I agree that this behavior seems to be this guys MO, and sadly, the more people that fall for his despicable intimidation tactics, the more he will feel validated in continuing to do these things. I think it is not too late to file a complaint and you should do so A.S.A.P! The more police complaints that are filed on this a**hole, the more likely that the next person will have some recourse.

If it were me I would have barricaded myself in the house and called the cops and called the neighbors to witness out their windows. What a despicable character! To address him not lasting long here, unfortunately he's lasted at least since John Rabi used him, six years ago was it? He's found a prime environment to thrive like a vicious bacteria, because the police haven't seemed to do anything to discourage his abuse and his "client's" hands are tied. He's proven that he can get away with it. He needs a psych evaluation and a few months in the slammer... and he should be paying you for the mess and trauma he caused. One main lesson in all this is: Don't give in to bullies. They just go bully someone else!!!

Also, I whole heartedly disagree that no deposit should ever be given... and I think that it would be ridiculous to have every person that can do a job be a licensed contractor or have to be employed by one. It would be a racket. Some jobs are better off with a contractor and some aren't. A deposit isn't usually about paying for materials/labor as much as it is about a gesture of good will... If you've invested $ in a project then you're less likely to walk away. Why would you expect someone else to invest time and $ in your project without any kind of assurance that you're serious??? If we have to deal with every person capable of doing a good job on a project being a contractor or employed by one, then the whole field will be monopolized with 20 - 40% higher costs across the board and not great practices such as the one listed earlier being common place. This field is no different than any other, diversity is to be celebrated. Why not stick with well laid out contracts? Kathy knows where she erred and it happens to most of us one time or another. No excuse to get up on your high horse and try to make her feel worse to make yourself feel better. Wasn't that a lesson learned in elementary school??? Some people's kids... [V]

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Get a contract and proof of insurance or sooner then latter you’ll be holding the short end of the stick in a lawsuit. Pay them now or pay them later. If you’re willing to give up everything you own and then some go ahead, but not me. Your homeowners insurance will not cover someone performing contracted work.
Listen to what you’re saying, licensing companies will become a racket, can’t you see that not licensing contractors is the racket! If you want to avoid these SCAM artist’s you must qualify them all by licensing. A few bad apples will slip through but that’s what you use the DCCA,the BBB and references are for.
I will state again, never pay upfront. Good faith is a signed contract and nothing more.
In the contract you write that there needs to be a mobilization item that you will pay them for mobilization and no more then 10% of the contract. I guess that’s good faith, when they show up they get some money.

“Why would you expect someone else to invest time and $ in your project without any kind of assurance that you're serious???”
That is what a contract is for!

Hey no “High Horse” here just trying to let most homeowners know that they aren’t contract specialists and just how serious the situation can become.


"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin