u/RunTotoRun2

I started working for a small remodeler not that long ago. I typed a bid for a customer for a bathroom remodeling project. I knew the customer had some requirements for the toilet (shape, size, height) but didn't really have any other specifics they wanted. The project total was about 15K.

After the proposal was sent but before the project began, the customer emailed me and stated "I don't want to have to shop for the toilet, light, mirrors, the faucets, or the tile. I want this to be a turn-key project." This was the first time I heard about this from the customer. I advised the customer to speak with the contractor directly and I also let the contractor know what the customer had said.

The contractor called me back to ask how the proposal was worded and I read it out to him. It clearly says the customer is to provide the "appliances (toilet) and decorative light(s), mirror(s), and faucet of choice." I asked if I needed to retype the contract but the contractor said no.

The contract didn't address the tile selection but they guy I work for regularly takes people tile shopping and he did so in this case. The customer picked the tile.

The payment listed in the contract is 1/3 at the beginning, 1/3 in the middle, and 1/3 at the end. The customer paid 40% at the beginning.

The contractor finished the work today. He even had me locate and purchase a wall-mounted, folding shower chair that he installed- an item that cost $100- that wasn't mentioned by anyone previously and is not in the contract.

The customer is generally happy but now that the project is completed, they emailed me again with some post-project complaints. One complaint is that the shower isn't wide enough but they concede that the bathroom doesn't allow the shower to be made any wider. They also don't like the placement of the light fixture but that can be corrected easily and the contractor is willing to move the fixture.

BUT, now that the project is done and the final payment is due today, the customer again said this was supposed to be "a turn key project" and has emailed me to let me know they will pay the remainder due (60%) minus $300 for the items they "had to buy"- the toilet, light, mirror (I think they reused the original mirror), and the faucet.

I called the contractor to let them know that the customer said they were withholding $300 from the final payment and he just said "OK."

I know the contractor doesn't want to make an issue of this but I think this customer is a jerk. The contract clearly says the customer is responsible to purchase the toilet, light(s), mirror(s) and the faucet. I don't think they should be allowed to not pay for those items OR the wall-mounted shower chair that the contractor provided.

I suppose the contractor has already collected the final payment less the $300 today but I think the customer should pay what the contract called for AND for the additional shower chair.

Is this worth the fight? I'm guessing not. But the contract as written is very clear they the customer is responsible for the selection and purchase of the toilet, light(s), mirror(s) and faucet. If this were going to be an issue with them, they or the contractor should have asked me to modify the contract to reflect the request prior to starting the project.

The customer is a lawyer too so I think they feel like they can just get away with skimming $300 of the project and sadly, they are probably right.

Jerk.

I should at least send him a bill for the shower chair. He probably won't pay it but at least a bill will remind him of what a jerk he is.