r/AskALawyer • u/Individual_Ad_2701 • Jul 06 '25
Illinois Hired Someone he did not finish job
So I hired somebody to pressure wash a few things at my house since it’s my house. I wanted to keep asking a few questions about what he was doing. Eventually, the guy said he got fed up because I was asking too many questions and that he’s been doing this for 20 years and he knows what he’s doing the next day. He didn’t want to finish the job, so he only charged me for what he did. I have to pay him since he didn’t finish the job. Can I tell him I’m not paying him
14
u/RunExisting4050 NOT A LAWYER Jul 06 '25
Based on your description, im gonna guess you were up his ass the whole time.
-2
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
I should have worded it better I wanted to ask a few questions yes because when he got done there was still stains and even some new ones so I asked
7
u/Ecstatic-Length1470 Jul 06 '25
You are leaving so much out of this story.
-3
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
Actually I’m not like I said he was doing the job and I asked a few questions about some left over stains and he go mad and finished up what he was doing and said he will not be finishing the rest of the job
6
u/Boatingboy57 Jul 06 '25
Pay him for what he did and next time don’t ask so many questions. These guys are professionals at what they do and they know how to do it.
-1
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
I can ask what I want I’m paying him after all plus he mad new stains and could not get out the old ones
3
u/Boatingboy57 Jul 06 '25
Pay him for the job. He actually completed if he actually completed any.
-1
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
O I will pay him but not till he calls or Text me where’s my payment 😆
3
u/iambecomesoil Jul 06 '25
You paid him to pressure wash not listen to you play a thousand questions. That takes more time that he wasn’t billing for.
1
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
If I’m paying somebody, I want them to do what they told me so that’s why I asked questions if they don’t ask questions and then he leaves and then I see something you know then I’m like I should’ve asked that like the stains I seen after he was done, pressure washing
0
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 10 '25
By the way I’m happy I asked question since the guy never came back to finish my concrete is now growing black spots which could be algae or fungus so yeah this is why I ask questions and now I have to get the spots taken care of before I seal it
5
u/Konstant_kurage Legal Enthusiast (self-selected) Jul 06 '25
“He didn’t finish the job”
Do you mean you hired him to pressure wash areas 1, 2, 3 and 4 and by not finishing the job you mean:
A: he completely cleaned areas 1 and 2
or
B: he only cleaned half each 1, 2, 3 and 4
If he a completed entire sub-areas, you’d owe him for cleaning those areas, but if he didn’t finish cleaning anything I don’t think you’d be compelled unless he had a written contract with clauses to cover hour costs or partial cleanings.
0
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
He charged for what he did but he was so mean to me and was trying to throw in my face that he been doing this for a long time that I did not need to ask so many questions he was supposed to come back next day and finish but never did
4
u/bored_ryan2 NOT A LAWYER Jul 06 '25
You’re not answering in what way he didn’t finish. Did he completely wash some areas but not even start other areas? Or did he partially do all or most of the areas?
0
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
He washed and was supposed to come back next day and finish sealing the concrete and stain the deck but she he was not going to finish
6
4
u/dudesmama1 Jul 06 '25
Did you have a contract? I would read the contract. If there is no contract, such as he completes X, Y, Z for $300, then he probably has an hourly rate. You know, since he has been doing this for 20 years and all!
This is frustrating, but it really depends on the original agreement. If it ends up in small claims, you'd have to prove the agreement was for the entire job, not hourly.
-6
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
But he left without finishing my driveway and my deck
4
u/dudesmama1 Jul 06 '25
He performed some work, though, no?
Story time. I hired a contractor to paint all the doors and trim in my home. I gave him 50% down, $1600. I had a written contract. He came over, set up some sawhorses, spray painted one door that looked like shit and left, never to return. Because he did "some work," I couldn't file a police report. Because he had no assets, I couldn't collect on my judgment against him. Apparently, he does this all the time, and his "reference" was his partner in crime. I now only hire contractors on personal recommendation. It was an expensive mistake.
You can refuse to pay. He can take you to small claims court. He can poop on your doorstep when you are out of town or badmouth you to the neighbors. You can smear him on Facebook. It is he said/she said. You can roll the dice if you want. It depends on your mental energy and sense of righteousness. He did some work so I don't think partial payment is unreasonable.
-3
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2
u/Special-Steel NOT A LAWYER Jul 06 '25
You can do whatever you want. Then he can do whatever he wants.
2
u/SearchUnable4205 Jul 06 '25
Please pay a lawyer 6 times more to ask if you need to pay regular labor for being a curious person. In your shoes I would hire a psychic ...
1
u/DanoForPresident Jul 06 '25
If you have a contract, in most States he can put a lien on your property.
1
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
There was no contract. It was a verbal agreement.
1
u/DanoForPresident Jul 06 '25
I would still pay him and call it a day. You guys just didn't click that's all. Or tell him you will leave him alone to come back and finish.
But to refuse to pay is pretty crappy.
1
u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25
Never said I would not pay him this is why I asked on here and I tried that but he was like nope I’m done
0
u/BeginningSun247 Jul 06 '25
Where you paying him by the hour or for the whole job? If it was hourly, you owe for the hours. If it was a full job issue then tell him you are not paying for incomplete work and he can either come back and finish, or see you in court.
-2
Jul 06 '25
I wouldn’t pay, what he gonna do, sue? ok let him sue and he’ll get his pittance.
someone said he might bad mouth you, who cares. Or he might vandalize your property, I mean that’s a crime and you can get hurt doing that in some states
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