What to do if I’m a general contractor and recently completed a remodel kitchen job but one of my subs overcharged the homeowner?

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What to do if I’m a general contractor and recently completed a remodel kitchen job but one of my subs overcharged the homeowner?

I was given an approximate cost for one of our subcontractors line of work which was electrical. On the final bill he overcharged the homeowner by 65%. . Is this a cost I absorb or can the contractor file a lien on the home?

Asked on August 28, 2013 under Real Estate Law, Washington

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 10 years ago | Contributor

What you need to do is speak with the subcontractor about his bill.  In many states subcontractors can indeed file a mechanic's lien for unpaid work but if I were the home owner I would then go after you as the contractor.  If you were the GC and gave an agreed upon price for all of the work and hired the subcontractor then I think that you are the one ultimately responsible. I think that you should be the one to speak with him and figure it out and now you know never to use him again. 


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