Contractor underquoted, recieved 95% of funds and is now providing awful/incomplete work
Hey y'all! Long read but I could really use the advice.
The issue: my girlfriend hired a red seal carpenter for a major basement reno and few things on top floor. The contractor severely underquoted the materials/labor (unknown to us 2 girls who know nothing about this 🤣😭) and he is now performing rushed, poor quality work and is acting hostile due to "loosing money."
Important info:
•We have a written quote and signed contract.
•Due to him complaining about running out of money he has recieved 95% of the original payment, and an extra 3-5k for other things he didn't qoute.
•He has admitted to underqouting but is blaming my girlfriend for not paying more for the already qouted and payed for work.
•Everyroom is started and none are finished making it hard to live during this with pets and kids.
•He damaged our paneling and put the broken piece up anyways
•He put our sink in the weirdest worst position and we asked him to move it and he ignored the request and finished the plumbing the next day.
•He installed flooring against the manufacturers recommendations, voiding the warranty, and became hostile when asked to follow specs on remaining rooms.
•Messy painting all over the house/tub
•And many many more issues and rushed work (will try to figure out how to add pics??)
We have brought the rushed and damaged work to his attention and it has been ignored and it was an extremely hostle conversation.
So the questions are:
• Do we have to let him finish the basement with this rushed and not "red seal" quality work? Or can we send one more message saying these are the issues that need to be fixed before moving on to the next thing or we will consider the contract breached and prusue small claims" We're worried his rushed half done work will cost is more in the long run.
•Do we have to give him the chance to finish without knowing if he is going to correct the other issues?
•Can we legally use the remaining $500 to get someone to move the sink he refuses to move?
•if I tell him not to move on until these projects are addressed and corrected and he refuses is that him breaching the contract?
Thanks in advance!!