Too many homeowners are blindsided when contractors misrepresent their services or charge for unapproved work. Learn why this concern is on the rise and what to do when you’re billed for work you didn’t agree to.
Why Unapproved Charges Are a Growing Problem for Homeowners
Construction costs are on the rise, and contractors are in high demand. Unfortunately, unethical contractors may take advantage of this situation to exceed their scope of work and charge for services a homeowner never asked for.
When a contractor takes it upon themselves to do work you didn’t approve, costs can balloon beyond your budget. You could also run into legal difficulties if authorities determine the work is a substantial remodel.
Even if the proper permits are pulled and you can afford the bill, an unchecked contractor could irreversibly change your home in a way that you never wanted. If you suspect a contractor of performing unapproved work, contact a construction lawyer immediately.
Red Flags in Construction Invoices and Billing Practices
Construction invoices should break down the costs of material and labor to the penny. One of the biggest red flags is when an invoice includes line items that are described vaguely or not at all. This can be a sign that your contractor is cutting corners or that they are doing work you didn’t request.
Another red flag is if the contractor’s invoices are significantly higher than their original estimate. While some projects end up with overages due to unforeseen circumstances, significant overages suggest foul play.
Finally, if the contractor is avoiding your calls or unwilling to answer your questions about an invoice, that may be because they can’t legitimately defend their work. Consider obtaining legal representation from a construction attorney when a contractor becomes difficult to communicate with.
Steps to Dispute Charges and When to Call a Lawyer
You and the contractor likely signed a contract before the work started. If there is a legitimate reason to modify that contract, the contractor can discuss that with you and make changes that you both agree to. They may not unilaterally choose to do work you didn’t approve.
If you suspect that the contractor is in breach of contract, you should immediately request that all work stop while they provide a full accounting of their practices. This might cost you a little extra if your suspicions are wrong. However, if you’re right, this could save you a lot of money and frustration.
Typically, the best time to call a commercial lawyer is before you have to deal with an invoice for unapproved work. If you suspected a contract breach but didn’t act to prevent it from getting worse, you may be limited in how much compensation you can get for unapproved work.
Depending on what work has already been done, your lawyer may:
- Try to resolve a dispute before the situation becomes impossible to correct
- Negotiate a settlement
- File a lawsuit against the contractor for breach of contract
Any contract dispute will require an investigation. Your construction attorney needs a complete accounting of what work was done, when it was performed, and what was agreed to in the contract.
This process may be frustrating because it will suspend the work. But it is better to delay a project than to allow it to continue when the contractor isn’t doing what you agreed to.
Getting Transparency — and Justice — in Your Construction Budget
Transparency is the best defense against getting billed for unapproved work. The better your communication with the contractor, the more likely they are to do the work you want and charge only the amount that you agree upon.
When transparency fails, you need a construction lawyer. Schedule a consultation with a construction attorney at Alves Radcliffe at the first sign that your contractor is performing unapproved work.
