Builders

[jitagon]

My builder's now into his fifth month of penalty, having over run a four month conract by five. Surely there's a 'statute of limitations' on just how long this can run on? Taken to it's logical conclusion, he could end up paying for the whole project himself surely? Was loathe to give him the bum's rush, as this is second builder, and after equally horrendous experience with the first, did not want to go down the road so many do, of builder number 5, 6 or even 7. Anyone had this experience, what happened?

[Morden]

Ours finished within the contract time but, from some experiences that we had along the way, perhaps I can wave a warning flag for you. There was a fixed price in our contract and I assume that yours is the same. Now, our builder, who started work last summer, was caught with increased material costs and ran out of money. We helped him by paying part of the final stage payment early but still he didn't pay the sub-contactors during the final month.

We have no issue with the quality of his work but the site was watched every day. Towards the end he tried to skip corners on minor things such as cleaning the house and removing debris from the land. Perhaps if he had not been under close scrutiny he might have cut more important corners.

Maybe the main issue for you from this experience of ours is the builder's financial state coupled with rising materials prices. If he runs out of money he cannot continue. If you sack him and engage another builder you will pay for his work and materials at current prices. Without knowing what stage your project has reached I can't say anything more specific than watch his work very closely and keep your fingers crossed. He might just say that he has no money to continue unless you want to pay more. If you have Thai family who can talk to him you might find out more.

[astral]

Take action now!!!

If he is that far behind he is in deep trouble.

You need local Thai intervention to speak to him,

and possibly legal help.

[jitagon]

Thank you both for your replies. I was introduced to this particular builder by my Thai lawyer, who is presently trying to get him to a meeting to discuss matters. Previous experience tells me that kreng jai will win out and builder will go for the bull in a china shop approach and attempt to dismantle house. I don't see how he can say he has no money to complete the house when to my certain knowledge he is still running his construction business. I know how difficult it is to get money out of people who claim they don't have it, but I do have the upper hand insofar as the final payment will simply not get paid. Notwithstanding the amounts left over from advances and fines. He's an idiot. From conversations I've had, the Thai builders will over-commit themselves to the point where only the most lucrative (for them) projects ever get to completion, leaving a trail of disgruntled small project owners in their wake. I was just interested to see if anyone had had a similar experience, regarding penalties accruing to the point where they outstripped the final payment on the project.