USA You did not say if you are asking the contractor to do things that are part of the contract, or do them for free that are not part of the contract. Ask for a copy of their certificate of insurance. Insurance carriers provide them for free. The certificate will show the types and amounts of coverage. If the contractor has insurance, he will be able to produce the certificate within 24 hours. Most states ( I am in PA ) require contractors to carry insurance.

I would have the work inspected by the local municipal building inspector. If your municipality does not require permits and inspections, then hire a “third party inspector” to inspect the work to make sure it is correct.

If the work does not meet minimum code requirements, or your written contract requirements, you can legally withhold any further payment until it is corrected. If the contractor refuses to correct work that is identified as not meeting code or contract requirements, contact the general liability insurance carrier listed on the certificate of insurance. They will help provide resolution.

You should not expect work to be done for free that was not included with the original contract, and if you are asking for free stuff, the contractor will (and rightly so) not do it, or challenge you. If you want extra work, be willing to pay for it. On the other hand, if an inspection shows the work to be substandard, or if you are getting ripped off, first let the contractor know exactly what you think, and what you expect as resolution. Be reasonable, and try to find a solution that works for both of you. If the contractor does not respond, call the insurance carrier. But be aware, once you do call the insurance carrier, there will be no “friendly” resolution - the contractor will be upset, and will want to get out of your house asap.

As a last note, if the work done so far is good, and the remaining work is less than two hundred dollars and will not cause damage if left undone, just wait for the contractor to finish. Ask him to finish in what you think is a reasonable time, ans state you will pay in full upon completion.

If there are licensed contractors for that kind of work in your state, contact the State Contractors Licensing Board. They will gladly guide you.

Any other info you get from YA is not worth much.

check with ur local building inspector…..here in NC u can only do up to $30,000.00 with out a lic…..if urs is more than that report him to the building inspector and the state and dont pay him…..if less than what ur state does allow then he does not have to have a lic..

lic. gen. contractor

New York State doesn’t require anyone to be licensed.I wish they did it would make life a lot easier for good contractors.Licensing is only required by the county or the town that you live in so a contractor may not need a license to do work.Many contractors will say that they are licensed when they are not because it sounds better than saying that they don’t need to be licensed.Check with your town or county and see if they require licensing and if they do report them.Oh and never pay in full til the job is done to your satisfaction.NYS also has a law that any money that you pay to a contractor up front must be put into an escrow accout until enough work has been completed to cover the amout of money you put out.

Did you sign a contract?

Have you paid in full? Tsk, tsk, tsk if you did before the work was finished!

If you signed the contract AND have not paid in full, you are within your rights to hold final payment until the work is completed to YOUR satisfaction. Tell him no pay without completion. He may not oblige but without a license, he’d have to be VERY ballsy to try collecting in court.

If a contract was signed and he’s willing to finish pending pay day, go over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything you contracted for is finished…DON’T give him ANY more money until he’s done.

If he doesn’t pony up, fire him and get someone who is licensed to finish the job.

Should he try taking you to court, schedule your own date in small claims court with JUDGE JUDY - GAWD! I love that woman and she is sooooooo into playing by the rules
Wishing you the best !!!

give him a stop work notice and GIVE HIM 10 min to leave
in the am b4 he starts to work
tell him you will give him his tools the next day
DO NOT LET HIM IN YOUR HOUSE
good luck
good luck
so what they are not lic
check your local code enforcment
here in calif we do not have to pay a un lic contractor !