|
If a problem does arise and a disagreement develops between you and your
contractor, stay calm so that tempers do not flare. Set a time for you and your
contractor to get together, and go over the contract. Listen to your
contractor’s side of things, and request they do the same for you. If the
problem remains, seek another opinion from a knowledgeable friend; if the
situation is serious enough, discuss the situation with your lawyer.
The most common problems that arise include poor workmanship, delays, and
misunderstandings about the scope of the work. If your contractor has taken on
other projects simultaneously with yours, causing your project to stall for days
or weeks between visits, insist they adhere to a regular work schedule, and
complete your project at the promised time.
If your contractor refuses to comply, send them a registered letter
threatening to cancel the contract and seek a refund of the down payment, as
permitted by law in some provinces. This may help to rectify the problem,
especially if the letter notes a copy of the letter has been sent to the
consumer protection department of your local government, or to the contractor’s
bonding company.
Bad workmanship and poor business practices can be reported to the government
department from which the contractor obtained their license. This office will
take necessary action if deemed appropriate.
If you think some of the work is not up to local or Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation (CMHC) standards, report it in writing to the appropriate
inspection department. If it is determined that the quality of work does not
meet code requirements, the contractor will be forced to make necessary
corrections at their own expense.
To Avoid Problems:
- Select your contractor carefully; check all references.
- Ensure the contractor is properly licensed and carries the proper
insurance before hiring them.
- Visit the work site at intervals and discuss progress with your
contractor; keep communication with your contractor open, and make yourself
available to answer questions or discuss situations that might arise.
- Before hiring a contractor, ask if they plan to work on other jobs while
working on yours. If so, ask how many days each week they plan to work on
your project, and get it in writing. Work schedule terms should be outlined
in the contract.
- Make sure the contract is as detailed and specific as possible.
1. Trader sues over 'lap dance injury' data: 19.03.08
A Wall Street trader is seeking damages after allegedly being hit in the face by a stripper's high heel as she performed a lap dance for him.
2. Switzerland likely to outlaw cat fur trade data: 07.04.08
Cat fur is used in garments and blankets in Switzerland, the last West European nation where such a trade is still legal. But the trade is increasingly stigmatized and likely to be outlawed soon.
3. John McCain: Israel's enemies threaten us all data: 19.03.08
The success of Hamas and Hizbollah in the Middle East is not only a danger for Israel, but also a threat to US national interests, said John McCain, the US Republican presidential candidate.
4. Richard Hammond: Why I'm on a short fuse data: 19.03.08
Short men are, according to a report published this week, more prone to jealousy, anger and insecurity than tall blokes.
5. Yemen pushes Palestinian dialogue data: 19.03.08
Yemen holds separate talks with Fatah and Hamas in an effort to foster Palestinian national reconciliation.
6. Kevin Maguire: Tories ahead on own goals data: 10.04.08
Rarely have crocodile tears flowed so shamelessly as when dewyeyed toff David Cameron sniffed an onion and posed as unlikely champion of the lower paid.
7. EU threatens a mozzarella ban data: 07.04.08
EU officials Thursday threatened Italy with a possible Europe-wide ban on mozzarella from the Campania region unless Rome provided more details about production of the cheese, samples of which were found to contain higher-than-permitted levels of dioxins.
8. Mirror Money: House about a break? data: 19.03.08
Darling MUST throw first-timers a lifeline
9. Brown unveils security strategy data: 19.03.08
Gordon Brown is to set out plans to deal with national emergencies such as terror, disease and flooding.
10. French team in Colombia yet to reach hostages data: 10.04.08
The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, said Monday that a French-led humanitarian mission aimed at reaching Colombian hostages is not stalled and simply needs more time.
11. Classic marathon cup returns to London data: 07.04.08
The Gold Cup that Queen Alexandra presented to the Italian runner Dorando Pietri a century ago is returning to London for the first time for Sunday's marathon.
12. More flights canceled as Heathrow remains in chaos data: 07.04.08
British Airways' chief executive offered a public apology for disrupting the travel plans of thousands of people.
13. The evolution of CyberCrime Inc. data: 07.04.08
Online crime is maturing, and the Internet criminal of today is adopting everything from supermarket-style pricing to outsourcing.
14. Blacksliding on reform is seen in new EU states data: 07.04.08
The European Union's eastward expansion aimed to cement former Communist countries into a bloc committed to pluralism, democracy and good government. But the new members have a tendency to backslide and succumb to "reform fatigue," according to a recent academic study.
15. Gamezone: Review: God of War: Chains of Olympus data: 07.04.08
PSP, £29.99-£49.99 5/5
16. Volcker, ex-Fed chairman, chides current one data: 10.04.08
The imposing former Fed chief who felled the runaway inflation of the 1980s chided Ben Bernanke for toeing "the very edge" of the bank's legal authority in orchestrating the bailout of Bear Stearns.
17. 'I'm on the plane... the PLANE' data: 07.04.08
When passengers can yap into their mobiles in the air, plane travel will be even worse, says Clive James.
18. Express Newspapers apologises to McCanns data: 19.03.08
The two daily newspapers owned by Richard Desmond's private Express Newspapers group published unprecedented front page apologies to the parents of Madeleine McCann, a British child apparently abducted while on holiday in Portugal last May
19. 'Healthier hearts' for cat owners data: 19.03.08
Cat owners have a lower risk of a fatal heart attack than feline-spurning counterparts, a study suggests.
20. BA's Terminal 5 proving to be one big hub of chaos data: 07.04.08
Terminal 5 was supposed to be the saving grace for British Airways and London Heathrow. Instead, passengers are bracing for more chaos.
21. Cute animal stories: Send us your favourite data: 19.03.08
It's been a big day for cute animal stories. Telegraph.co.uk wants to hear about any we've missed.
22. Stars ‘n Cars in Australia data: 27.03.08
23. Grappling with global terror conundrum data: 19.03.08
Roger Hardy reports from Stockholm as experts debate how to fight "global insurgency."
24. Queen set to meet Irish president data: 19.03.08
The Queen is expected to meet the Irish President Mary McAleese in Belfast later during her visit to NI.
25. President of Montenegro wins landslide re-election data: 10.04.08
The presidential vote Sunday, the first since independence, dashed the hopes of the Serb minority, who had backed a pro-Serb candidate who might have brought them closer economic and political ties with Belgrade. The two countries have had chilly relations since the breakup.
26. US steps up TV piracy battle data: 07.04.08
US media groups are trying to speed up the overseas distribution of leading television programmes to contain a rapidly-growing piracy epidemic
27. 5,000 children a month added to DNA database data: 07.04.08
One in four people being added to the DNA database is a child, it emerged yesterday.
28. Bank tipped to cut interest rates data: 10.04.08
The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates to 5% amid signs the credit crisis is hitting the UK.
29. United and Barca poised to claim semi-final places data: 10.04.08
Manchester United and Barcelona are favourites to see off AS Roma and Schalke 04 on Wednesday and set up a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final.
30. 'Historic day' in Cyprus as another border crossing opens data: 07.04.08
Ledra Street in the divided capital of Cyprus, a symbol of the country's ethnic partition, was reopened Thursday for the first time in 44 years, raising hopes for new efforts to reunify the island.
|