wingman011
Member
So I made many mistakes that I hope many of you don't make.
I'm in the middle of a painful pole barn build, but it wasn't always like that. I had a dream about 10 years ago to build a shop, I saved for 10 years and took out an equity loan to build my shop. I had a budget of 30k (i know not much) but I wanted to see what I could get done this year. I wanted a 30x40 with 16x10 and 10x10 on the eaves side.
Got some quotes for materials at about 14-16k for the building. I also got 3 or 4 quotes on building the whole thing 38-50k. I came across a company that was building a local shop. He quoted me 20k for the building and concrete. So i told him I wanted rebar in the concrete a couple of windows and a front slab. He quoted me 30k and said it would be easier to build 30x48 for the same price! I know, to good to be true! I was very skeptical.
I spoke to the owner of the shop he was building, and he said, so far so good, good communication. He worked on the shop steadily excavating, setting the posts, setting up trusses. Everything was moving along.
So I decided to give him a shot. I set up a contract that stated he had two months from the day of permit (he was having some issues getting the permit for the last owner) (this was the first mistake) and I even put in the contract a penalty clause if he doesn't finish in time I pay less.
He accepted the terms and I gave him half down! (Second Mistake), a week later I told him I was researching and decided I wanted commercial girts instead of residential. He said if I pay him the the next 1/4 of the money when he finishes framing he'll do the girts free. I said sure if your going to get started soon. He said yup i'll have my crew there in 2 days.
All of a sudden the guy disappears for 5 months, answered calls and text a few times just to say he'll be here next week, next week, next week...... Contract says from day of permit...****............................................
Finally comes back 5 months later and starts the build with no permit. Inspector comes onsite and red tags the build and now he can't work! ugh.
Finally gets the permit 2 weeks later. Starts building....takes 2 weeks for framing but does a decent job.
Now he wants 1/4 more. I said no, and he blew up, talkin about tearing down the commercial girts and now he has to go make money somewhere else to finish my shop...blah blah. I said, if I see progress on the concrete I'll give you 1/4 more. He agreed.
Concrete guys show up next week, he shows up to finish final framing literally 6am they were gonna pour concrete at 6:30am. Gets it done and I hand him a check for the next 1/4. They start pouring cement, contractor takes off. Cement folks come talk to me about payment...apparently in WA state owner is liable for payment if contractor doesn't pay. In fact they can put a LIEN on my house if I don't pay them. Contractor was supposed to have payed before he left. I said "YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD HIM THAT BEFORE HE LEFT!" Call contractor, of course he says i'll be there in couple hours. Didn't show up all day.
So now I have framing and concrete and I'm in it $22,500....haven't seen the contractor in 3 weeks....
Lessons Learned
1. Put a start and finish date with penalty clause in contract
2. Make sure you cover your **** with language so they can't lien your property.
3. I would pay for my own materials, and just hire the labor. OR go with a very reputable company (which will cost you $$$)
4. If it's to good to be true...then it is.
Many of these are rookie mistakes. If I ever have a chance to do something like this again I would do things differently. Any advice would be appreciated.
I'm in the middle of a painful pole barn build, but it wasn't always like that. I had a dream about 10 years ago to build a shop, I saved for 10 years and took out an equity loan to build my shop. I had a budget of 30k (i know not much) but I wanted to see what I could get done this year. I wanted a 30x40 with 16x10 and 10x10 on the eaves side.
Got some quotes for materials at about 14-16k for the building. I also got 3 or 4 quotes on building the whole thing 38-50k. I came across a company that was building a local shop. He quoted me 20k for the building and concrete. So i told him I wanted rebar in the concrete a couple of windows and a front slab. He quoted me 30k and said it would be easier to build 30x48 for the same price! I know, to good to be true! I was very skeptical.
I spoke to the owner of the shop he was building, and he said, so far so good, good communication. He worked on the shop steadily excavating, setting the posts, setting up trusses. Everything was moving along.
So I decided to give him a shot. I set up a contract that stated he had two months from the day of permit (he was having some issues getting the permit for the last owner) (this was the first mistake) and I even put in the contract a penalty clause if he doesn't finish in time I pay less.
He accepted the terms and I gave him half down! (Second Mistake), a week later I told him I was researching and decided I wanted commercial girts instead of residential. He said if I pay him the the next 1/4 of the money when he finishes framing he'll do the girts free. I said sure if your going to get started soon. He said yup i'll have my crew there in 2 days.
All of a sudden the guy disappears for 5 months, answered calls and text a few times just to say he'll be here next week, next week, next week...... Contract says from day of permit...****............................................
Finally comes back 5 months later and starts the build with no permit. Inspector comes onsite and red tags the build and now he can't work! ugh.
Finally gets the permit 2 weeks later. Starts building....takes 2 weeks for framing but does a decent job.
Now he wants 1/4 more. I said no, and he blew up, talkin about tearing down the commercial girts and now he has to go make money somewhere else to finish my shop...blah blah. I said, if I see progress on the concrete I'll give you 1/4 more. He agreed.
Concrete guys show up next week, he shows up to finish final framing literally 6am they were gonna pour concrete at 6:30am. Gets it done and I hand him a check for the next 1/4. They start pouring cement, contractor takes off. Cement folks come talk to me about payment...apparently in WA state owner is liable for payment if contractor doesn't pay. In fact they can put a LIEN on my house if I don't pay them. Contractor was supposed to have payed before he left. I said "YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD HIM THAT BEFORE HE LEFT!" Call contractor, of course he says i'll be there in couple hours. Didn't show up all day.
So now I have framing and concrete and I'm in it $22,500....haven't seen the contractor in 3 weeks....
Lessons Learned
1. Put a start and finish date with penalty clause in contract
2. Make sure you cover your **** with language so they can't lien your property.
3. I would pay for my own materials, and just hire the labor. OR go with a very reputable company (which will cost you $$$)
4. If it's to good to be true...then it is.
Many of these are rookie mistakes. If I ever have a chance to do something like this again I would do things differently. Any advice would be appreciated.
