Stuck with unresponsive contractor

[Chip Cook]

Please help!!! I closed on my 1st BRRRR project in August. Hired a contractor and laid out the project. Got formal bid and have gone over the details. I paid him 1/2 of the estimate up front ($15k).

It's only about 1000 sf small home, but the guy has made little to no progress on this project 3 1/2 months later...with no end in sight.

What FORMAL actions can I take against this guy?  W/ the state (Idaho)? City? County?  BBB?  Any tips or ideas? 

[Bruce Woodruff]

Originally posted by @Chip Cook:

Please help!!! I closed on my 1st BRRRR project in August. Hired a contractor and laid out the project. Got formal bid and have gone over the details. I paid him 1/2 of the estimate up front ($15k).

It's only about 1000 sf small home, but the guy has made little to no progress on this project 3 1/2 months later...with no end in sight.

What FORMAL actions can I take against this guy?  W/ the state (Idaho)? City? County?  BBB?  Any tips or ideas? 

 #1 - You already f'ed up by paying him 50% up front...that's not even legal.

#2 - What does your contract say? That is the equivalent to a lease for a landlord. It will have all the rules in it. If it has no timeline involved then maybe he doesn't see why he should hurry at all....You do have a contract in addition to the 'formal bid' right? What is a formal bid?

#3 = BBB is worthless. They have zero power unless the Contr. is a member, and even then not much.

#4 - The only weight you have is with the State Contractors Board. Look up his license her: https://dopl.idaho.gov/ Call the Board. He does have a license, right? And you checked it before you signed the Contract? Right....?

You can also sue him in Civil Court, but that cost money and even if you prevail and obtain a judgement, then what?