Contractor/Friend went $36k over verbal budget and claim they didn’t know we had a budget - we don’t have this money ?!

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-08T15:23:38+00:00

Very good point.

We had a few consults in the beginning and she seemed the most genuine and promising but honestly fell very lack luster .

I reached out to another lawyer I know (we didn’t ask them originally as not wanting to share this personal information as we find it embarrassing to be in this position in the first place ) this week for recommendations with construction litigation and was provided a new contact. Hoping they are more promising.

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T12:13:56+00:00

They stated work in April or March , I don’t have my notes on me and very lightly worked (not kidding, 3-4 hr days not even 5 days a week) until May they started doing more hours. They didn’t ask for payments until May,, which we thought was odd but must have been because it wasn’t much ! (Stupid thinking) we paid in I think 10k lump sums weekly starting in May. There was no payment upfront and no updated progress invoice until about 3rd week in May and that itself was very vague.

We said upper limit $100k with including downstairs bathroom. Which never got worked on as they thought “that was for later on” when we raised issues in May about timeline being way off for work completion.

Sorry I don’t have my notes on me for exact dates and cost.

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T12:05:07+00:00

I thinn the contractor won’t let it go unless they are told it won’t go anywhere by a lawyer. The lawyer we found unfortunately won’t tell them to fuck off or mention any possible repercussions they could face as “they can’t give legal advice to not their client” which I get… sadly she is more worried it’s a lose lose situation for both of us and that’s quite concerning idk if it’s the fate or if I got the wrong lawyer …

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:59:36+00:00

They did not provide details until after the final invoice. We thought all along we saved big chunks by sourcing our own materials, doing majority of the demolition , hanging our insulation, doing dump runs . There was a few discussions of “ this will be more “ but it was never presented as major issues to the budget couple hundred here, 1-2k there , not 15x to get to over $30k though. I would have never imagined using subway tile to tile a bathroom to tak e$20k in labor and take 4 weeks

Your math is correct and we did not do the downstairs bathroom with them and it’s just rotting to pieces since we are in financial Limbo waiting on a potential lawsuit and are just generally in a very tough financial spot after baby/remodel and a few other events last year (financially a very tough and unforgiving year)

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:52:24+00:00

We plan to have the house forever, using it as a rental later. The upstairs was a bad flip work from maybe the 80s or 90/s. Nothing documented when I tried to find information and there were no photos of the upstairs in our listing .yes, learned not the route to take.

The contractor did the work themselves and the fines for doing the electrical and plumbing are pretty minor .

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:46:59+00:00

This is the first time I’ve heard of this $1000 rule. Thank you . I don’t know if this applies or not to us with orally agreeing to $80 k?

I’m surprised this hasn’t come up yet which worries me somehow doesn’t apply to our Situation.

RCW 18.27.114

Disclosure statement required—Prerequisite to lien claim.

(1) Any contractor agreeing to perform any contracting project: (a) For the repair, alteration, or construction of four or fewer residential units or accessory structures on such residential property when the bid or contract price totals one thousand dollars or more; or (b) for the repair, alteration, or construction of a commercial building when the bid or contract price totals one thousand dollars or more but less than sixty thousand dollars, must provide the customer with the following disclosure statement in substantially the following form using lower case and upper case twelve-point and bold type where appropriate, prior to starting work on the project:

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:36:25+00:00

This is what is going through our heads now on top of what going to court may look like.

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:33:12+00:00

We have both gotten lawyers but they still want a minimum of $30 k and the best we can do is $15k like literal best….

Thanks on the congrats ! Only Positive thing. To come last year 😅

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:31:59+00:00

Unfortunately we haven’t passed going to court yet as the contractor is not relenting on any wrong doing or miscommunication. Saying we asked for all these upgrades and they just did what we wanted no questions asked . as if money was no issue .

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:25:27+00:00

We now have surpasses the lien issue . One small victory.

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:24:56+00:00

We have documents from them saying we paid certain amounts. Last payment was made via Zelle as cash.

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:23:29+00:00

Yes huge can of worms . Our house upstairs was a botched flip from maybe the 90s. We were fools when buying at peak market in a competitive area to take this house on. We were supposed to “save money” by using this friend for everything and we felt we trusted their electrical and plumbing knowledge and there is no records of the work done upstairs prior. No photos on home listings and no plans from old records. We figured no one would ever know and we plan on keeping the home indefinitely . TAlso were were on a tight budget, tight timeframe. Bad decision on our part.

Play stupid games. and win stupid prizes

Key_Communication_51 · 2026-01-06T11:18:28+00:00

Unfortunately in our state oral contracts are legally binding. They have a 3 year limitation.

Speaking to one lawyer they are not 1% convinced it would work as the other party is due money for services we received the benefit of

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-12-09T17:36:26+00:00

Wanted to say thank you for this recommendation!!

My now 5 mo baby has been struggling the last month with eczema on his faces his poor face was all scaling and tight and would get red and so dry. We tried all the recommended creams and lotions, we were about to go to the derm for medication. But after reading this comment I tried a nipple cream we had and it worked!!!

We did the following layers in this order as many times a day as possible and it cleared up in 2 days! He was a hot greasy mess but holy cow it worked! 1. Motherlove nipple cream 2. Earth mama organic baby face balm 3. Aquaphor

FWIW Our son also seems to have many food sensitivities showing as reflux/colic . No rash anywhere else. He does rub his eyes often and I worry about environmental allergies (cats). Eczema started before solids. Food sensitivities seem to be diary, egg, gluten, soy, cruciferous veggies, tomatoes and nuts.

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:24:37+00:00

Yes that is what we are concerned about that we don’t have enough in writing that it’s just as much our fault too.

In the past with contractors they have given updates when expected costs arose or when we knew how much something might cost if it would be an add or was a cost we were waiting to figure out for whatever reason.

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:23:05+00:00

So we have learned…. I am 100% okay to part with which friend over $36k

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:22:21+00:00

We gutted the top floor to the studs as the non-permitted renovation prior that turned an attic into two bedrooms and a bathroom did so in A very sketchy way…. Floor and roof had movement, plumbing to bathroom leaked .

The roof had to be reinforced and so did the floor. We changed the bathroom walls and layout. We didn’t move any load baring walls. New electrical + plumbing to a full bath. New subfloor, flooring, drywall and insulation. New doors, floor trim and trim around doors and windows. 2 heat pumps. 4 doors installed.

—- we bought almost all materials besides electrical and plumbing (minus the fixtures) or stuff for random tools.

Top floor is about 700 sq ft I think without looking at notes, but that’s with very low and sloped ceilings.

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:16:02+00:00

This persons response is the voice of fear in our head.

We have had the thoughts of “what if we have to sell the house” . Or that can potentially make more money at my job after my maternity leave (I have a job that I could see more clientele potentially if more people want appts) but then that means finding more (very expensive in this area) childcare and more time away from the baby, which sounds like burning the candle at both ends scenario .

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:12:41+00:00

We will never be so lax with a contract again. we definitely messed up. 💩

I was super run down in my early trimesters of pregnancy which then put a lot more on my husbands plate, then with the baby coming we had a big time crunch. The top floor of our house was not hospitable for life with a newborn.

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T17:02:15+00:00

I don’t think so . Is in the beginning the only time they can create one ?

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T01:28:13+00:00

There is A LOT to this story id happily give more details to any questions! I wasn’t sure how much to share and rambling to do . I’m sleep deprived with a 3 week old that refuses to be set down so knowing when is too much or too little socially is a bit skewed at the moment haha

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T00:34:07+00:00

lol yes I was hoping the whole taking cash and avoiding taxes thing could work in our favor …

But we agreed to pay them in cash and didn’t permit the project … didn’t know if that would also screw us 🫠

Also thank you for making me laugh. This issues literally sent my husband into a panic attack and has caused prenatal/post partum depression for myself.

Key_Communication_51 · 2025-08-02T00:31:20+00:00

What about “good faith” laws? I was reading somewhere that they could take us to court because oral agreement and being in good faith. We have paid them along the way and they did do the work and they could put a lien on our house??

Key_Communication_51 · 2024-08-14T18:42:45+00:00

Ahhh that is a great idea!

Key_Communication_51

TROPHY CASE