If not give her a deadline before you turn it over to animal control.

., net-7 on verified milestones) in exchange for pricing and priority.Test small jobs first; promote trades to your A-list only after on-time, on-budget performance twice.Standardize to reduce wasteCreate repeatable finish schedules (same trim profile, faucet line, paint palette) so crews work faster and leftovers are reusable.Pre-kit jobs: one delivery per room (box includes all hardware, fixtures, and consumables).Contracting disciplineUse fixed-scope, milestone-based contracts with:Progress draws tied to inspections/photosNo deposit or minimal mobilizationLien waivers at each drawDaily liquidated damages for missed deadlines (after grace period)Written change order policy with price + time impact before work proceeds2) Time: Move Faster to Reduce Carry and RiskFront-load planningWalk the property with all key trades before closing; finalize scope, bids, and schedule ahead of day 1.Pull permits early; choose scopes that avoid structural or major MEP reroutes when timelines matter.Sequencing & overlapSchedule parallel workstreams (e.g., exterior/landscaping while interior demo proceeds).Use a Gantt chart (even a simple spreadsheet) to track trade start/finish, dependencies, and buffers.Daily control15-minute stand-up with GC or project lead each morning (photos + punch list).Two inspections/week: one quality, one progress vs. schedule.Keep critical spares on hand (breakers, valves, GFCIs, common trim, extra boxes of flooring).Tech + templatesSimple tools (Google Drive + shared photo folders, or apps like Buildertrend/Jobber) for scope sheets, punch lists, and photo proof.Use QR codes in rooms linking to the finish schedule for fewer “what goes here?”

Still, the company has not acknowledged it or refunded me.My refund request (filed 7/1/25) was ignored until I escalated, giving them a deadline to respond by 7/11/25.

.- Despite constant delays, missed deadlines, and refusing help (like us pre-ordering materials), we still paid him $12,000 (excluding PayPal fees we had to cover because of his lack of a payment setup).- He also let his worker sleep overnight at our property without asking.- We had to reschedule our lead inspection 3 times and missed our Section 8 window (cannot find another appointment for at least 4 weeks now), which directly cost us weeks of rent and more stress.- At the final walkthrough, he agreed to send receipts for his claimed overages before we’d consider any further payments.- Instead of doing that, he’s now threatening to take us to court over $200, saying we’re “mercenary out-of-state investors” and that the court will side with his “humble workers” who will testify on his behalf.- Still no receipts.

Since filing separate tax returns could increase your taxes, a "post nuptial agreement" would allow you to still file jointly but distinguish the properties for your other situation.

Hitting deadlines consistently builds massive trust and respect.3.

Why has that employee not filed a civil case against them or filed some sort of complaint?

I was not involved in terms that were offered but expertise and ability to close on time and meet deadlines was all I could ask for.  

Pre-agree on what counts as a “major decision” (sale, refinance, long or large leases, cap-ex above $X), set response deadlines so no one can stall indefinitely, and write down exactly what happens if a partner doesn’t fund (temporary loans at a stated rate, dilution after a cure period, or—only as a last resort—a forced-sale trigger).

However, the suburb is very desirable and I was getting closer to the deadline and just accepted their counter, I think normally I would have negotiated a bit harder.