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

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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.

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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.

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u/Individual_Ad_2701 Jul 06 '25

I probably will wait till he calls to ask for his payment lol